Name: Batched Margarita Recipe
Ingredients: 750 ml Tequila (1 bottle); 300 ml Triple Sec (Cointreau (1/2 bottle)); 375 ml Fresh Lime Juice; 95 ml Agave Nectar; 375 ml Water (or 1 lb of ice)

One of the most popular cocktails in the world, the Margarita is an absolute classic. Traditionally, when making just one single cocktail at a time, it’s a basic blend of tequila, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and Cointreau orange liqueur mixed in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Pretty simple.

We have several classic Margarita recipes on our blog already, but today we’re going to get you ready for your next big event with a pre-batched, large format Margarita recipe.

If you’re interested in learning more about batching cocktails for parties and other events, make sure to sign up for our Batched Cocktails course– it’s perfect for caterers or anyone who wants to be an amazing host (and who wants to enjoy their own party without making cocktails all night).

authentic margarita with 2 ounce of lime juice per drink, garnish with lime wheels in a punch bowl for larger margarita recipe

MARGARITA INGREDIENTS

It’s really common to use a store-bought Margarita mix, but I have to be honest: We’re not fans.

Here at A Bar Above, we believe that fresh juice is always better, so for this particular recipe, you may need to invest in or borrow a juicer instead of using a handheld lime juicer so that you’re hand doesn’t cramp while making freshly-squeezed lime juice.

To make a pitcher of Margaritas for your next summer party, make sure you have these basic Margarita ingredients on hand:

Tequila for Margaritas (your choice here– Blanco tequila is a safe bet, although we used Reposado in our recipe)
Lime juice
Orange liqueur of your choice (generic triple sec or Cointreau)
Simple syrup or agave nectar
Additional lime slices
Dish of salt

HOW TO BATCH MARGARITAS

Check out the video below to see how Chris makes our favorite Margarita recipe in large format, complete with dilution:

Make sure to watch to the end of the video, where Chris explains how to batch pretty much any cocktail using ratios. You can look at your original recipe and multiply it by how many drinks you expect to serve in a night, or you can look at the ratios (2 ounces liquor to 1 ounce lime juice = 2:1 ratio = 1 bottle of base spirit to 1/2 bottle of juice). Once you get the formula, it’s fairly easy to replicate!

MARGARITA VARIATIONS

Of course, there are a ton of different types of Margaritas, but making frozen Margaritas or more complex flavor versions of this classic drink (like a fruity Margarita) is more difficult in large-format form.

For that reason, we recommend letting the citrus flavor shine and sticking with the classic cocktail recipe. I mean, you can’t really go wrong with a perfect Margarita at your party, so your guests aren’t likely to complain.

margarita cocktail with extra lime slices and 2 ounce of lime juice per drink

Of course, if you want to get fancy, here are some options:

You can switch out the base spirit from tequila to mezcal or do a split-base.
Use simple syrup to Margaritas for additional sweetness, or cut it (or use a sugar substitute) for more of a skinny Margarita. The lime flavor really shines through without additional sweetness, though, and can be awfully tart. For a more balanced cocktail, we prefer agave syrup like in our recipe below– and make sure to follow Chris’ instructions for properly diluting Margaritas before serving!
If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can give the option of a spicy Margarita recipe, either by making two batches of this delicious cocktail or by adding a bowl of jalapeños on the side for guests to add. (Note: Without the peppers being muddled into the cocktail, the spice won’t be as strong.)
Personally, I love a splash of freshly-squeezed orange juice in my Margaritas for a little orange flavor. If desired, this is something you can add to the batch or serve on the side for guests to add themselves. It cuts the acidity of lime juice and adds a rounded freshness and sweetness to the drink.

pitcher margaritas in a punch bowl with 1:2 ounce orange liqueur per drink and extra lime slices

TIPS FOR SERVING BATCHED MARGARITAS

Serving big-batch Margaritas for a whole room full of guests isn’t quite the same as serving a single version of this refreshing cocktail, so here are some tips to make service run smoothly.

Make sure to dilute! When you shake a cocktail, the ice chills and dilutes your drink automatically. If you don’t make up for that when stirring together large-format cocktails, the final drink you ladle out will be way too strong.
Provide coarse salt (such as kosher salt or Margarita salt) in a dish next to the serving bowl so that guests can create their own optional salt rim.
Serve the drink in a classic Margarita glass or rocks glass. If you’re dealing with a larger party at home, plastic versions are fine. Because you’ll have the cocktail in a punch bowl, dispenser, or Margarita pitcher, you can place the cups on the side the beverage station.
Add fresh lime wedges to the serving bowl, with extra slices of lime on the side.
While you don’t have to get top shelf tequila for a batch of Margaritas, don’t get super cheap tequila, either. Your guests won’t appreciate that burn, especially when mixed with lime juice.
Consider having a prepared cocktail glass with salt and a wedge of lime already lined up for your guests.

10 cups silver tequila for fresh margarita with juicy lime wedge

Big-Batch margarita recipe

With Chris’ tips (and maybe by taking our Batched Cocktails course to become more of a master at the technique), you can make batches of Margaritas for any and all special occasions. It’s a relatively simple recipe in a larger quantity, a perfectly delicious cocktail recipe for pool parties and formal events alike.

Make sure to watch the video first, and then grab the batched recipe below!