Classic Cadillac Margarita

Tips For The Best Cadillac Margarita

Regardless of how you have it, there are a few key tips to help you shake up Cadillac Margarita perfection including to use 100% agave tequila, using cracked ice, and avoiding sour mix. 

Use 100% Agave Tequila

The truth is you’re supposed to use reposado tequila in order to call the cocktail a Cadillac. But, if you want to use silver tequila aka Tequila Blanco, or the more aged, Tequila Añejo, we say go for it. Just promise that you’ll only use 100% agave tequila and steer clear of the swill that is mixto tequila. Bottom line: only use premium ingredients like top shelf tequila.

Choose A Quality Triple Sec

To be 100% clear: triple sec is not a brand name but rather a style of orange liqueur. It’s similar to Curacao liqueur but it tends to be drier and originated in France. While there are plenty of crappy, low-grade bottles in your local liquor store labeled “Triple Sec” there are, in fact, high-end styles of the liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.

Grand Marnier – a brandy-based triple sec or a blend of cognac and bitter orange liqueur– is the de facto liquor for a classic Cadillac margarita. It adds a host of flavors such as orange zest, basil, vanilla bean, and caramelized sugar. If you love those flavors, add a float of Grand Marnier onto the cocktail before serving.

Take The Time To Make The Cracked Ice

This cocktail is classically served up and not on ice. But we like to use pebble-sized pieces of ice. Yes, it takes some extra effort but it’s very much worth it.

Use Fresh Lime Juice

We’ll say it until we’re blue in the face: please only use freshly-squeezed juices in your cocktails. If you’re making a big batch of margaritas, you can by all means juice a ton of fresh limes up to one day ahead and have it ready to go.

Use Agave Syrup If You’d Like

We make our Cadillac Margaritas with one major twist from the classic: using agave syrup in addition to the triple sec. We do so because we feel that the triple sec on its own can be a lot of orange flavors but you still need a decent amount of sweetener for a balanced cocktail. We take a page from the original agave syrup-based margarita, known as the Tommy’s Margarita and created by Julio Bermejo at Tommy’s bar in San Francisco in the 1990s, and add a touch of agave syrup to the mix.
If that’s not for you, no sweat. Feel free to leave it out and use 1 ounce of triple sec total.

Say No To Sour Mix

Look, the only advantage of using a sour mix is that it’s premade. But, generally, it tastes artificial.

Make A Batch Of Margaritas Ahead Of Time

But, you can make a batch of margaritas in advance. Read all about the how over on Serious Eats.

Salt The Rim With Style

Whether you want your margarita with or without salt? That’s 100% your personal choice. But, if you are going to add salt, you have a couple of options of how to do it. The most classic way is to put salt on the entire rim of the glass, which is done by rubbing the cut-side of lime against the rim of a cocktail glass and then rolling that in a plate of salt.

We like half salt meaning that only part of the rim has salt on it. To do that, we rub the cut side of the lime in one specific part of the glass and then dip that section so that, as it sounds, only part of the glass is salted. Then, of course, you can mix up the salt as you please! There is no shame in using kosher salt but feel free to try a different style, like flaky Maldon or pink Himalayan salt, or add some flavor to your salt like say some thyme leaves, some chili powder, or dried hibiscus flowers!