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margarita pitcher recipe

Big Batch Margarita Pitcher Recipe

This margarita pitcher recipe makes a strong, fresh, crowd-ready cocktail with just four ingredients: fresh lime juice, tequila, triple sec or Cointreau, and agave nectar. You stir it in one pitcher, chill it until guests arrive, then shake each serving with ice for a frothy, perfectly diluted drink. There is no margarita mix in this recipe, and the fresh lime juice is the reason it tastes so bright.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 16
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 245
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

1 1/2 cups (355 ml) fresh lime juice, about 9 limes
3 cups (710 ml) tequila
1 1/2 cups (355 ml) triple sec or Cointreau
Agave nectar, to taste
Coarse sea salt, for the rims
Lime wedges, for the rims
Ice, for the glasses and the shaker

Equipment

  • Large pitcher
  • Citrus juicer
  • Measuring cups
  • Long spoon
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Small plate for salt
  • Margarita or rocks glasses

Method
 

Squeeze the limes until you have 1 1/2 cups of fresh lime juice. A lime and a half gives you about 1/4 cup.
    Pour the lime juice into a large pitcher. It is the base of the margarita.
      Add the tequila, triple sec or Cointreau, and agave nectar.
        Stir well. Refrigerate the pitcher until your guests arrive, or serve right away.
          Run a lime wedge around the edge of each glass. Coat the rim generously with coarse sea salt.
            Fill the glasses with ice.
              Fill a cocktail shaker about 3/4 full with ice. Pour in enough margarita to cover the ice.
                Shake hard until the shaker is cold and the drink turns frothy.
                  Pour into the ice-filled glasses. Repeat with the rest of the pitcher and serve.

                    Notes

                    • Use fresh lime juice only. Margarita mix does not belong in this recipe.
                    • This is a strong margarita and not a sweet one. Shaking with ice adds a little water, which softens the drink and makes it frothy.
                    • The ratio is 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime juice, and 1 part triple sec or Cointreau.
                    • Agave nectar is a lighter sweetener than sugar. Stir in a little at a time and taste as you go.
                    • A small bottle of Cointreau or triple sec is about the right amount for one batch.
                    • Squeeze a few extra limes for the salted rims.