5 Delicious Margarita Recipes to Welcome Warm Weather

As the weather finally starts to transform from dreary, grey winter to sunny spring (fingers crossed), it’s time to put the hot toddy recipes back in the cabinet, and whip out your favorite bottle of tequila. It’s margarita time, baby, because nothing quite screams “Sunshine!” like a good ol’ marg. Whether it’s a spicy fruity mezcalita or simply a classic margarita, here are five fun margarita recipes to welcome the return of sunshine and warm weather.

As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” While there are plenty of variations on margaritas, from strawberry basil to Georgia peach, there’s something to be said about a classic marg. Where many bars and restaurants get it wrong is they use a generic sour mix, or even worse, a corn syrupy sour mix straight from the soda gun. With a few simple, quality ingredients, you can make the best margarita of your life at home, in just a few minutes. A smooth blanco tequila works best for this classic cocktail, and the bright, lively flavors of Don Fulano Blanco take this familiar favorite to the next level.

Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice, and shake vigorously for at least 10 seconds to ensure all ingredients become well incorporated and almost frothy. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime.

Optional: Prior to filling your rocks glass with ice, rim with salt or tajin.

Spicy margs are popular for a reason, mezcal margs add a nice smoky element, and passion fruit margs provide a kick of tartness for those who prefer a less sweet drink. Marry all three, and you get a spicy passion fruit mezcalita. Choosing the right mezcal is crucial to ensure a smooth, well-balanced libation. You can’t go wrong with award-winning Dos Hombres Mezcal, where each bottle can be traced back to maestro mezcalero Gregoria, who has been perfecting his mezcal artistry since he was just eight years old. And while you could go for passionfruit juice or puree, Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur from the Dominican Republic is a great replacement for a traditional marg’s orange liqueur.

Muddle jalapeńos in a shaker. You’ll want to muddle them down as much as possible to release all of the juices—and to avoid chunks of pepper in your drink. Once you’re done muddling, fill the shaker with ice, and add all remaining ingredients. Shake until the shaker feels icy cold to the touch. Strain into a rocks glass lined with tajin. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño and a lime.

The margarita was invented and conceptualized in Mexico, but its exact roots are a matter of some debate. The most common origin story traces back to 1938, where Carlos “Danny” Herrera created the drink at his restaurant Rancho La Gloria. But did you know the frozen margarita has roots in the US? More specifically, in Dallas. So much so, that there’s actually a designated “Margarita Mile” in the Texan city, where visitors can embark on a self-guided tour to sample the best in the city. There’s no better way to celebrate the first day of sunshine after a long winter than with a frozen cocktail, so grab some additive-free Patron Cristalino and a blender to kick off spring and say goodbye to winter.

Add all ingredients to a blender. The less ice you add, the more liquidy the contents will be, and the more ice you add, the slushier your drink will be. We recommend going heavier on the ice for a proper icy frozen margarita. Blend on high until all ingredients are well incorporated, pour into a margarita glass rimmed with salt, sugar, or tajin. Garnish with a sphere of lime on the rim of the glass.

The Gulf of Mexico has been a hot topic as of late, and if the news is stressing you out, or you’re simply dreaming of being there, it’s time to make a cocktail. Known for its cerulean blue waters, the Gulf of Mexico is home to many vacation hotspots, from Cancun to Gulf Shores, Alabama. A bright blue, citrusy margarita is the best way to properly celebrate one of the most sought-after tropical destinations in North America. The spice and smoke of Herradura Reposado makes a memorable contrast to the sweeter elements of this drink.

Muddle blueberries in a shaker until they form a paste. Do NOT add ice to the shaker immediately. Instead, add all ingredients and shake without ice to incorporate. Once mixed, add ice and shake a second time, until the shaker feels cold to the touch. Rim a highball glass with black lava salt, then fill with ice. Strain drink into a highball, and garnish with a lime wheel.

There’s a wide selection of celebrity tequilas on the market, and let’s be honest——just because there’s a big name behind a brand does not make it a quality product. However, Megan Thee Stallion’s recently launched Chicas Divertidas—the name means “fun girls”—is a delightful exception. This is a refined, premium tequila, and the quality and care behind the ingredients and process shines through its smooth sip. The tequila is crafted from single-source, 100 percent Blue Weber agave, and harvested from the red volcanic highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. Inspired by the Angel’s Trumpet, a deadly flower known for its bold colors, the bottle is just as enticing as the spirit itself. Inspired by the color of the bottle, I crafted a strawberry marg using Chicas Divertidas Blanco.

In a shaker, add strawberries, basil, and a squeeze of lime juice. Muddle until the strawberries’ juice has been fully released. Fill the shaker with ice, and add all remaining ingredients. Shake until the shaker is cold to touch. Strain in a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of strawberry and a fresh basil leaf.