Texas Margarita

Refreshing and a little sweeter than the classic, a Texas margarita is a clever twist on the time-honored combo of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Adding fresh orange juice softens the drink, making it easier to drink and more palatable to those who don't love the original.

How the Texas margarita came to be we don’t know. Like many other cocktails, its back story is full of lore and mystery—but regardless, it's a keeper. Some versions sweeten the situation further by adding simple syrup or agave syrup, but we don't. This drink doesn't need it; it’s perfect as written. Shake one up, and you'll agree. 

How a Texas Margarita Is Different From the Classic

A margarita is a simple, delicious drink with just three ingredients: tequila, orange-flavored liqueur like triple sec, and fresh lime juice. A Texas margarita adds one more ingredient to the mix—orange juice. That’s the only difference.

What Does It Taste Like?

Fans says the addition makes the Texas version easier to drink than the classic iteration. The orange makes the drink less boozy and amps up the sweetness and orange flavor of the triple sec.

The Right Glass to Use

We made our Texas margarita in a margarita glass, but you certainly don't need those special glasses to shake up the drink. A rocks glass is an excellent choice.

Use Fresh Citrus

Squeeze fresh orange juice—and fresh lime—rather than using store-bought to get the full power of the double citrus punch of orange and lime in this margarita.

Tips for Juicing Citrus

• Let the fruits come to room temperature before juicing.
• Roll them on the counter right before you slice and juice them.
• Make the juice when you are mixing the cocktail rather than ahead of time so the juice is as fresh as can be.