The EASIEST MARGARITA is just 3 ingredients away from being in your hand! Start happy hour with MINIMAL EFFORT and MAXIMUM REFRESHMENT! Just in time for the weekend!

If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious easy 3 ingredient margarita recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

Margaritas are one of those classic cocktails that I order when I go out and one that I love to make at home when it’s happy hour, which is pretty much all day long.

But when times are stressful and I am just ready to prop my feet up I don’t want to pull out 17 ingredients to make a cocktail. I want a drink in my hand PRONTO!

So how do you make a margarita that is easy and tasty?

Simple and pure. With high quality ingredients, you don’t need much fluff.

With so many variations out there let’s start with the basics.

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What ingredients are in a classic margarita?

• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Orange Liqueur or Triple Sec
• Agave for sweetness if you need it
• and some salt for the rim of the glass.

With regards to the ingredients of a margarita, the biggest debate is whether or not to add sugar or use a mix.

Now I love the tartness of limes so I am not one for using sugar, a simple syrup, or even honey/agave, but I know there are people that do.  If we are talking about a fruity margarita, the fruit adds the right amount of natural sugar.

But give me a tart margarita any day of the week. Please give me one because I love them so!

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Limeade margarita recipe

So the thing that makes this margarita SIMPLE yet a TOTAL HIT is the Limeade.  I use the Simply brand but you can use a frozen or homemade variation.  I drink limeade already so having a drink that is real lime juice already prepared is a bonus in this situation.  

No one is in the mood to squeeze 1000 limes, which makes my hands hurt even with my juicer, nor do you want to make simple syrup or keep it on hand all the time.

I have squeezed limes for fresh margaritas and it is totally worth it, but this summer, I am all about the simple. When I am ready for one I don’t want to do a workout first.

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How do you serve a 3 ingredient margarita?

The only thing that I get fancy on is the garnish!  And by fancy, I mean cutting my lime garnish three different ways.  Keeping with the theme of three here!

The traditional lime wedge is great, but I love the look of a lime wheel or slice.  It just gives off a presence on the rim of the glass that you can’t help but smile at.  My third one is a lime curl or twist.

This easy margarita is meant to be easy so if you don’t want to work for a garnish, screw it and just toss in a lime wedge and drink on.

Is triple sec/grand marnier necessary for margaritas?

I don’t think so but most do so I include it here. If you really need the orange flavor to balance out this margarita, try fresh squeezing an orange and garnish with an orange wedge. Or add in a splash of orange juice.

How do you make limeade from scratch?

The purpose of this recipe is to make things as easy as possible but if you want to make limeade from scratch, I have a recipe in for you that uses honey instead of refined sugar.

Take Two Tapas Tips for the best 3 ingredient margarita:

• Use high quality blanco tequila!
• Shake the ingredients, don’t stir together to really incorporate the flavors.
• Make sure the salt for the rim is a course salt for texture.
• Spice it up with some fresh jalapeño slices muddled in the glass.

This recipe is great for a large crowd too! Make a big batch by scaling up the recipe.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

Serve this easy 3 ingredient margarita alongside chips and salsa, these pork carnitas in tacos, and this chile relleno dip!

Other Take Two Tapas margarita recipes to try

• Margarita Dip
• Blueberry Margarita
• Margarita Beer Shandy
• Margarita Bars
• Margarita Shrimp Skewers
• Pomegranate Margarita

The easiest limeade margarita recipe

{originally posted 06/13/17 – photos and recipe notes updated 4/8/20}

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