Chipotle Margarita

Few drinks capture the essence of summer quite like a Margarita. This citrus-forward cocktail is bright like the sun and as refreshing as a dip in the water. Chipotle Margaritas are the perfect way to go on a mini beach vacation, no matter where you happen to be.

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What makes Chipotle’s Margarita so good? 

Sorry, you are never going to make a good Margarita using a mix. But that doesn’t mean you can’t easily make a tasty one at home without the hassle. The straightforward recipe below uses a blend of fresh citrus juices and real agave nectar to ensure the authentic sweet and sour flavor you love. 

Why you are going to love this simple Chipotle margarita recipe 

A good cocktail is all about ratios. This Chipotle Margarita recipe respects the Golden Ratio with two parts spirits, one part sour, and one part sweet. That means you end up with a well-balanced drink.

Other recipes bump up the alcohol content, use simple syrup instead of agave nectar, or opt for cheap brands. Yuck! When you make your own cocktails at home, you are in complete control, and you get the best results. 

It’s a classic margarita that’s great for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, and whenever you’re craving the cocktail.

Chipotle Margarita ingredients 

• Fresh lime juice
• Fresh lemon juice 
• Tequila
• Triple sec 
• Agave nectar 
• Lime for garnish
• Salt for garnish, optional

Tequila options

You have a ton of options when it comes to tequila, but you should steer towards a silver version for the best visuals. Stay away from super cheap tequilas, but you don’t have to drain your bank account to mix up a good time:

• Sauza Hacienda Silver Tequila. At less than 20 dollars a bottle, it is a very affordable choice. Hacienda Silver has a notable blue agave flavor and notes of green apple, which combine well with the Triple Sec and citrus juices in this Chipotle Margarita recipe.
• Patron Silver. Although double the price of Sauza Hacienda, Patron Silver is pretty much the default when it comes to restaurant-level Margaritas. It drinks smooth and sweet with a bit of a peppery finish that will highlight the citrus in the cocktail. 

Triple Sec options

This French orange liqueur is perfect for adding citrus notes while upping the overall alcohol content of a drink. You buy bargain brands, but spending a few dollars more will really improve the quality of your drinks:

• DeKuyper Triple Sec. Not overly sweet, this value brand may not have the best reputation, but it is perfect for mixed drinks when you are on a budget. 
• Cointreau. Many people think of this more premium option as the quintessential Triple Sec. It has a slight bitterness and a more nuisance flavor profile than other triple secs, and it adds a lot of interest to Margaritas. 

How to make it 

To craft unforgettable Chipotle Margaritas:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice to chill. 
2. While the shaker is chilling, squeeze the lemons and limes into a measuring container with a spout. 
3. When the cocktail shaker is cold, throw away the ice. 
4. Fill four rocks glasses with ice and set aside.  
5. Pour the tequila, triple sec, and agave nectar into the shaker. Cover and shake until the outside is icy cold. 

6. Pour the cocktail into the four glasses. 
7. Garnish with lime and serve. 

How to serve these? 

There are lots of ways to present a Margarita, but a real one isn’t a slushy. You can copy the way Chipotle serves them and pour the cocktail over ice, or you can get a little more fancy. Make a salted rim by running a lime wedge around the rim of a Margarita glass and dipping the rim into kosher salt on a small plate. Place the lime wedge on the rim of the glass and serve. 

What to serve with this margarita

Mexican and beach food pairs well with margaritas. Try making these nibbles:

• Coconut Shrimp. Slightly sweet and crispy, Red Lobster Coconut shrimp are great for sharing. Serve with a traditional cocktail sauce or tasty Pina Colada Sauce.
• Fish tacos. Choose the battered and deep-fried Baja Fish Tacos with shredded cabbage and crema or a lighter grilled version topped with avocado slices and pico de gallo; both go well with this drink. 
• Ceviche. Easy to make from a variety of seafood, this dish has a slightly briny, light citrus taste and compliments the flavors of the cocktail. 

How to make these ahead of time? 

Premixing a batch of this Chipotle Margarita recipe is a real timesaver–and it is so simple since the amounts in this recipe are already measured for four drinks. Of course, you can double or triple the quantities depending on the size of your pitcher and how many guests you are serving. Go with a pitcher that has a no-spill lid that will allow you to shake well before pouring.

Even though you are prebatching the cocktail, you will want to shake it with ice in a cocktail shaker with ice before serving. Serving directly from the pitcher won’t give you the same taste. 

More copycat Chipotle recipes

• Chipotle Barbacoa
• Chipotle Carnitas
• Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
• Chipotle Corn Salsa
• Chipotle Guacamole
• Chipotle Queso Blanco
• Chipotle Steak Bowl

Love margaritas? Try these recipes!

• Applebee’s Perfect Margarita
• Beer Margarita
• Chili’s Presidente Margarita
• Olive Garden Italian Margarita
• Olive Garden Watermelon Margarita
• Red Lobster Mountain Dew Margarita
• Rio Bravo Margarita

Check out more of my easy cocktail recipes and the best copycat fast food recipes on CopyKat!