How to make a Cadillac Margarita

If you are a tequila fan then you must make a Beergarita or two 😉

Cadillac Margarita – also known as a Grand Margarita – is made using only the best: top shelf tequila, Grand Marnier and fresh lime juice. That’s really the only difference between a Cadillac and a classic Margarita.

If you are used to being served watered down Margaritas made with cheap tequila and sweet & sour mix, this homemade version is sure to knock your socks off!

Which Tequila Is Best for Margaritas

Good quality 100% agave tequila used to be hard to find up until the 1970s. Now we are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to decent tequila options.

There’s two main types of tequilas: 100% Blue Agave, and Mixto (Mixed). Simply put, you will want to stick with 100% agave Tequila and avoid the other kind, certainly where a Cadillac Margarita is concerned.

The 100% Agave Tequilas Are Divided Into

• Silver (Blanco | Plata | White | Platinum): Clear, un-aged tequila.
• Reposado: (rested) aged between 2 months and 11 months, light golden in colour.
• Añejo: aged for over 12 months, amber coloured and more complex in flavour.

In my opinion, Silver tequila is a great option for Margaritas. Others prefer Reposado tequila which generally tends to be a little pricier. Choose between a good- quality Silver and a Reposado, whatever you prefer and can afford.

What Goes in a Cadillac Margarita

You only need three premium ingredients plus ice and (maybe) salt. Margaritas generally work on a 2:1:1 ratio: two measures of tequila, one measure orange liqueur, one measure lime juice.

• Tequila: as discussed, either Silver or Reposado
• Grand Marnier: a cognac-based orange liqueur
• Freshly squeezed lime juice

Some recipes call for both Cointreau and Grand Marnier, others add agave syrup. My version is stripped down to just the essentials and all the better for it. It’s also lighter in calories – glass is under 200!

You might need to play around with the ratios until you are happy with your Margarita. As a rule of thumb always taste your drink before serving and make last minute adjustments to suit your personal preferences.

Salt Rim – Yes or No?

Should you rim the glass with salt when serving Margaritas? This comes down, yet again, to personal preference! A good compromise is to only frost HALF the glass giving you the best of both worlds. The salt works wonders to amplify the flavour of the tequila while balancing the sourness of the lime.

Cocktail tip

Use coarse salt for the rim

Use slightly coarse sea salt like Maldon to frost your glass, not fine table salt.

How to Serve a Cadillac Margarita

So we have picked the Tequila, we have decided whether to frost the glass… how should we serve our ultimate Margarita?

• Straight up: strained into a chilled coupe glass (or a Margarita saucer glass which is very similar in shape)
• On the rocks: strained into a rocks glass filled with cracked ice.
• On the rocks but with the Grand Marnier served as a shot on the side and either poured over the Margarita or drunk as a shot.

My preference is to serve it strained in a chilled glass – I don’t like to dilute the premium ingredients with lots of ice. Which option will you choose?

How to Make a Cadillac Margarita

Step 1. Chill your glass – stick it in the freezer or fill with ice and water. If you use ice and water you will need to discard before serving.

Step 2. Moisten the glass rim with a lime wedge and dip into a shallow plate filled with sea salt flakes. Either frost the entire glass or just half of the rim.

Step 3. Measure your tequila, Grand Marnier and lime juice and add to a cocktail shaker filled with cubed ice.

Step 4. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Dip a straw into the mix and check you are happy with the levels of sweetness /lime. Adjust if necessary.

Step 5. Double strain into your prepared glass or serve over ice. (see recipe notes)

Love Margaritas? Try These Variations

• Strawberry jam margaritas
• Blueberry Basil Margarita
• Sparkling Tommy’s Margarita

You might also like my Cucumber Mint Margarita.