Margaritas For Your Wedding: A Guide To Mixing Perfection

Margaritas are a fun and refreshing cocktail to serve at a wedding. They are easy to make and can be customised with different fruits, spirits and even a little champagne. The key to a great margarita is silver tequila and fresh lime juice. You can also add orange liqueur, agave syrup and a salt rim to taste. If you are making margaritas for a crowd, they can be made ahead of time and stored in a pitcher or carafe in the refrigerator. Simply give them a quick stir and serve over ice.

Choosing your tequila

Tequila is the star of the show in a margarita, so it's important to choose the right one for your wedding. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect tequila for your big day:

Type of tequila

When it comes to tequila for margaritas, you'll typically want to go for a silver or blanco tequila. These tequilas are unaged and known for their crisp, clean flavour. They also tend to be more affordable than aged tequilas, which is perfect if you're making a large batch for a wedding. However, if you want to add a subtle hint of oak or spice to your margaritas, you could opt for a reposado tequila, which is aged for between two months and a year.

Quality

While you don't need to break the bank, it's worth investing in a higher-end brand of tequila. Not only will it taste better, but it will also help prevent hangovers for your guests the next day! Look for a tequila that is 100% agave, and consider well-known brands like Don Julio Blanco, Espolòn, Casamigos, or La Gritona.

Flavour

If you want to add a unique twist to your wedding margaritas, you can experiment with flavoured or infused tequilas. Try jalapeño-infused tequila for a spicy kick, prickly pear for a pretty pink colour, or ginger for an unexpected punch of flavour. You could also use mezcal instead of tequila for a smokier margarita.

Quantity

Finally, make sure you buy enough tequila! As a rule of thumb, you can estimate that each guest will have around two to three drinks during the cocktail hour. So, if you have 100 guests, you'll need enough tequila for 200-300 drinks. The standard drink size for a margarita is around 3.5 ounces, so you can calculate how many bottles of tequila you'll need based on these estimates.

Remember, the key to a great margarita is balance, so don't skimp on the tequila, but make sure it's complemented by fresh lime juice, a good orange liqueur, and a touch of sweetness from agave syrup or simple syrup. Happy mixing!

Preparing glasses

Firstly, decide whether you want to add a salted rim to your glass. If so, take a shallow bowl and fill it with kosher salt. Alternatively, you can mix the salt with Tajín for a spicier, chili-lime kick, or turbinado sugar for a sweet and spicy rim. You could also use regular salt, but kosher salt is generally considered to be the best option for a margarita. Next, take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Then, dip the rim of the glass into the shallow bowl of salt, ensuring it is well coated. Set the glass aside until you are ready to pour your margarita.

If you are serving margaritas for a wedding, you may want to consider the type of glass you use. Classic wide-mouth margarita glasses are an option, but you could also use regular double rocks glasses or short drinking glasses.

Mixing the cocktail

Ingredients

First, you'll need to gather your ingredients. The classic margarita is made with tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and salt. For a wedding, you'll likely be making a large batch, so be sure to stock up on enough ingredients.

For the tequila, opt for a blanco or silver tequila, which is traditionally considered the best type for margaritas. Look for a higher-end brand with a label that says 100% agave. Some recommended brands include Don Julio Blanco, Espolòn, Casamigos, La Gritona, and Fortaleza Blanco.

For the orange liqueur, you can use Cointreau, which is a type of triple sec and has a higher alcohol content. Other options include Grand Marnier or a good-quality Triple Sec.

Freshly squeezed lime juice is best for margaritas. You can juice the limes yourself, but it can be time-consuming, especially for a large batch. So, if needed, you can use bottled lime juice.

Finally, for the salt, use coarse salt or kosher salt for rimming the glasses.

Recipe

Now, let's get to mixing! Here's a step-by-step guide to making a batch of margaritas for your wedding:

• Add the ingredients to a pitcher or carafe: Combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and (optionally) a sweetener like agave syrup in a large pitcher or carafe. Stir well to combine.
• Refrigerate: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. This will keep the cocktail chilled.
• Prepare the glasses: If you want to salt the rims, rub the edge of each cocktail glass with a lime wedge, then dip the glass in a shallow bowl of salt.
• Stir and add ice: Just before serving, give the margarita batch a quick stir. Fill the prepared glasses with ice cubes.
• Pour and serve: Pour the margaritas into the glasses, and they're ready to enjoy!

Variations and Tips

• If you don't have agave nectar, you can swap it for simple syrup, maple syrup, or honey.
• For a smokier flavour, use mezcal instead of tequila, or do a 50/50 blend for a subtle smokiness.
• If you like your margaritas on the sweeter side, add a simple syrup or agave nectar to taste.
• To make virgin margaritas, simply leave out the alcohol.
• For a fun twist, switch up the classic salt rim with sugar or flavoured salt like Tajin.
• If you're short on time, you can make a pre-batched cocktail mix ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve. Just give it a quick stir and pour over ice.

Cheers to a wonderful wedding celebration!

Adding ice

When making margaritas for a wedding, it is important to consider the ice. Firstly, you will need to decide whether you want to serve the margaritas on the rocks or blended. If you choose to serve them on the rocks, you will need to ensure that you have enough ice cubes to fill each glass. It is also a good idea to use larger ice cubes, as they will melt more slowly and keep the drinks cold for longer.

If you are making a large batch of margaritas, it is best to add the ice just before serving so that the drinks do not get watered down. You can also add a handful of ice to the pitcher or carafe when stirring the ingredients together to keep the mixture cold. However, be sure to stir well to avoid excessive melting.

If you are serving frozen margaritas, you will need to blend the ingredients with ice until smooth. In this case, it is important to use crushed ice, as it will blend more easily and create a smoother consistency. You may also want to add some ice to the glasses before pouring the margaritas to keep them cold.

For a unique presentation, you can create ice cubes with herbs or flowers frozen inside. This adds a decorative touch to the drinks and can also enhance their flavour. However, be sure to use edible flowers and herbs that complement the taste of the margaritas.

Garnishing

Lime Wedges or Wheels

Cutting lime wedges is a classic way to garnish margaritas. You can rub the wedges around the rim of the glass before dipping it in salt or simply add them to the glass as a final touch. If you want to boost your garnish game, cut your limes into wheels instead of wedges. Lime wheels are purely for show, adding a pop of colour to the drink without contributing much flavour.

Salt Rim

A salted rim is a traditional garnish for margaritas. To create a salt rim, rub a lime wedge around the top of the glass and then dip it into a shallow dish of coarse salt. You can use regular salt, but kosher salt or margarita salt is recommended for a better taste and texture. This step should be done before pouring the drink into the glass.

Tajín Rim

For a unique twist, you can mix Tajín into the salt used for the rim. Tajín is a popular Mexican seasoning blend that combines chilli peppers, lime, and sea salt, adding a spicy and tangy flavour to your margaritas.

Fresh Fruits

Using fresh fruits as a garnish is a great way to enhance the presentation and add a touch of colour to your margaritas. Strawberries, blueberries, or grapefruit slices can be used to complement the flavours of your drink while creating a visually appealing cocktail. Pineapple wedges or wheels can also be used for a festive touch.

Chilli Peppers

If you want to add some spice to your margaritas, consider garnishing them with fresh jalapeño or serrano chilli slices. Just a few slices go a long way, so start with a small amount and adjust to your desired level of heat.

Frequently asked questions