Ree Drummond’s Perfect Margarita: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pioneer Woman’s Favorite Cocktail

The margarita, a timeless classic, holds a special place in the hearts (and glasses) of cocktail enthusiasts worldwide. And when it comes to margaritas, Ree Drummond, the beloved Pioneer Woman, knows her stuff. Her margarita recipe is a crowd-pleaser, renowned for its simplicity, balance, and undeniable deliciousness. This guide will walk you through Ree Drummond’s margarita recipe, providing detailed instructions and tips to help you create the perfect cocktail every time.

## Why Ree Drummond’s Margarita Recipe is So Good

Ree’s margarita recipe isn’t complicated. It focuses on high-quality ingredients and a precise ratio to achieve that perfect sweet-tart balance. Here’s why it’s a winner:

* **Simple Ingredients:** No fancy liqueurs or obscure mixers needed. Just tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec), and a touch of simple syrup (optional, but recommended!).
* **Fresh Lime Juice:** This is absolutely essential. Bottled lime juice simply can’t compare to the bright, zesty flavor of freshly squeezed limes.
* **Balanced Flavors:** The key to a great margarita is the harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and tequila’s agave notes. Ree’s recipe nails this balance perfectly.
* **Easy to Customize:** While the recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly adaptable to your personal preferences. Want it sweeter? Add more simple syrup. Prefer a stronger tequila flavor? Adjust the ratios accordingly.
* **Batch-Friendly:** This recipe scales up beautifully, making it ideal for parties and gatherings.

## The Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make Ree Drummond’s margarita:

* **Tequila:** 2 ounces per serving. Ree typically uses a good quality silver (blanco) tequila. The quality of your tequila will significantly impact the final taste of your margarita, so choose a brand you enjoy. Look for tequilas made from 100% agave for the best flavor.
* **Orange Liqueur:** 1 ounce per serving. Cointreau is a classic choice, known for its smooth, orange-forward flavor. Triple Sec is a more affordable alternative, but be sure to choose a reputable brand.
* **Fresh Lime Juice:** 1 ounce per serving. As mentioned earlier, fresh lime juice is non-negotiable. Avoid bottled lime juice at all costs. You’ll need about 2-3 limes per ounce of juice, depending on their size and juiciness. Investing in a good citrus juicer is highly recommended.
* **Simple Syrup:** 1/2 ounce per serving (optional, but recommended). Simple syrup is just equal parts sugar and water, heated until the sugar dissolves. It’s a fantastic way to add a touch of sweetness and ensure the sugar is fully incorporated into your drink. You can easily make your own (recipe below) or buy it pre-made.
* **Coarse Salt:** For the rim (optional). Kosher salt or sea salt work well. Avoid using table salt, as it’s too fine and can taste overly salty.
* **Lime Wedge:** For garnish.
* **Ice:** Plenty of ice for shaking and serving.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Cocktail Shaker:** A good cocktail shaker is essential for chilling and mixing the ingredients properly.
* **Jigger or Measuring Spoons:** Accurate measurements are crucial for a balanced margarita.
* **Citrus Juicer:** For extracting fresh lime juice.
* **Salt Plate or Small Plate:** For salting the rim of the glass.
* **Margarita Glasses or Rocks Glasses:** Choose your favorite glassware for serving.
* **Ice Scoop:** For adding ice to the shaker and glasses.

## Making Simple Syrup (Optional)

If you’re using simple syrup, you’ll need to make it first. It’s incredibly easy:

1. **Combine equal parts sugar and water** in a small saucepan. A common ratio is 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water.
2. **Heat over medium heat**, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved. This should only take a few minutes.
3. **Remove from heat** and let cool completely.
4. **Store in an airtight container** in the refrigerator for up to a month.

## Step-by-Step Instructions: Ree Drummond’s Margarita Recipe

Now, let’s get to the fun part – making the margarita!

**Step 1: Prepare the Glass (Optional)**

If you want to salt the rim of your glass, now’s the time to do it. This is optional, but it adds a nice touch of flavor and presentation.

1. **Pour coarse salt onto a small plate or salt plate.**
2. **Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass.** This will help the salt adhere.
3. **Gently roll the rim of the glass in the salt**, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Don’t press too hard, or you’ll get too much salt.
4. **Set the glass aside.**

**Step 2: Combine the Ingredients in the Shaker**

1. **Add ice to your cocktail shaker.** Fill it about 2/3 full.
2. **Pour in the tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup (if using).** Follow these measurements per serving:
* 2 ounces tequila
* 1 ounce orange liqueur
* 1 ounce fresh lime juice
* 1/2 ounce simple syrup (optional)

**Step 3: Shake Well**

1. **Secure the lid tightly on the cocktail shaker.**
2. **Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.** This will chill the mixture thoroughly and ensure all the ingredients are well combined. You should feel the shaker getting very cold.

**Step 4: Strain and Serve**

1. **Fill your prepared glass (or a regular rocks glass) with ice.**
2. **Strain the margarita mixture into the glass.** Hold a strainer over the shaker to prevent ice from falling into the drink. If your shaker has a built-in strainer, you can use that.

**Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy**

1. **Garnish with a lime wedge.**
2. **Serve immediately and enjoy!**

## Tips for the Perfect Ree Drummond Margarita

* **Use fresh, high-quality ingredients.** This is the most important tip. The better the ingredients, the better the margarita.
* **Don’t skimp on the tequila.** Choose a tequila you enjoy drinking on its own. It will make a big difference in the flavor of your margarita.
* **Adjust the sweetness to your liking.** If you prefer a sweeter margarita, add more simple syrup. If you prefer a tarter margarita, reduce the amount of simple syrup or omit it altogether.
* **Chill your glasses.** Chilling the glasses before serving will help keep your margaritas colder for longer.
* **Make a big batch.** If you’re making margaritas for a crowd, you can easily scale up the recipe. Just be sure to maintain the same ratios. You can mix the ingredients in a pitcher ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve. Add the ice just before serving to prevent the margaritas from becoming diluted.
* **Get creative with flavors.** Once you’ve mastered the basic margarita recipe, you can start experimenting with different flavors. Try adding muddled fruit, such as strawberries, raspberries, or mangoes. You can also use flavored simple syrups, such as jalapeno or ginger. Spiced margaritas with cinnamon and a hint of cayenne can be amazing in the cooler months.
* **Experiment with different salts.** For a twist on the traditional salted rim, try using flavored salts. Chili lime salt is a popular choice, but you can also find salts flavored with herbs, spices, and even citrus zest. Black lava salt adds a dramatic touch.
* **Don’t be afraid to experiment.** The best margarita is the one you enjoy the most. So don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and ratios until you find your perfect combination.
* **Use a muddler for fruit additions:** If you want to add fruit to your margarita, don’t just throw it in the shaker. Use a muddler to gently crush the fruit and release its juices. This will help infuse the margarita with the fruit’s flavor.
* **Rim the glass with Tajin:** For a spicy and tangy kick, rim your glass with Tajin seasoning instead of salt. Tajin is a blend of chili peppers, lime, and salt, and it pairs perfectly with the flavors of a margarita.
* **Infuse your tequila:** For a more complex and flavorful margarita, try infusing your tequila with herbs, spices, or fruit. To infuse tequila, simply add your desired ingredients to a jar or bottle of tequila and let it sit for a few days or weeks. Strain out the solids before using the tequila in your margarita.

## Variations on Ree Drummond’s Margarita

While Ree Drummond’s classic margarita is undeniably delicious, there’s plenty of room for experimentation. Here are a few variations to try:

* **Spicy Margarita:** Add a few slices of jalapeño to the shaker for a spicy kick. You can also use a jalapeño-infused tequila or rim the glass with chili lime salt.
* **Strawberry Margarita:** Muddle a few fresh strawberries in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. You can also use strawberry-flavored tequila or simple syrup.
* **Mango Margarita:** Similar to the strawberry margarita, muddle fresh mango chunks in the shaker or use mango-flavored tequila or simple syrup.
* **Coconut Margarita:** Add a splash of coconut cream or coconut milk to the shaker for a creamy, tropical twist. You can also use coconut-flavored tequila or simple syrup.
* **Watermelon Margarita:** Blend fresh watermelon chunks and add them to the shaker for a refreshing summer cocktail. A watermelon simple syrup could also be a great addition.
* **Skinny Margarita:** Reduce the amount of simple syrup or replace it with a sugar substitute like stevia or agave nectar. You can also use a sugar-free orange liqueur.
* **Frozen Margarita:** Blend all the ingredients with ice for a frozen margarita. Add more ice for a thicker consistency.

## Serving Suggestions

Margaritas are the perfect cocktail for a variety of occasions. Here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Taco Night:** Margaritas and tacos are a classic pairing.
* **Pool Party:** Margaritas are a refreshing and festive drink for a pool party.
* **Barbecue:** Margaritas are a great accompaniment to grilled meats and vegetables.
* **Happy Hour:** Margaritas are a perfect way to unwind after a long day.
* **Cinco de Mayo:** No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without margaritas.

## Food Pairings

Margaritas pair well with a variety of foods, especially those with bold and spicy flavors. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Mexican Cuisine:** Tacos, nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and guacamole are all great choices.
* **Spicy Food:** Margaritas can help cool down the palate after eating spicy foods like chili or curries.
* **Grilled Meats:** Margaritas pair well with grilled steak, chicken, and fish.
* **Seafood:** Margaritas are a refreshing accompaniment to seafood dishes like shrimp ceviche or grilled fish tacos.
* **Appetizers:** Serve margaritas with appetizers like chips and salsa, guacamole, or queso dip.

## Make Ahead Tips

If you’re planning a party or gathering, you can save time by making the margarita mix ahead of time. Simply combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using) in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to serve. Add ice just before serving. You can also prepare the salted rims of the glasses ahead of time.

## Non-Alcoholic Margarita (Mocktail) Recipe

For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, you can easily make a margarita mocktail. Simply replace the tequila with a non-alcoholic tequila alternative or sparkling water. You can also add a splash of lime juice and orange juice to mimic the flavor of the tequila and orange liqueur. Follow the same steps as the alcoholic margarita recipe, but omit the tequila.

## Storing Leftover Margaritas

If you have any leftover margaritas, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The flavor may diminish slightly over time, but they will still be enjoyable. Keep in mind that the ice will melt and dilute the margaritas if stored for too long. It’s best to consume them as soon as possible.

## Variations On Salted Rims

* **Chili Salt**: Mix kosher salt with chili powder for a spicy rim.
* **Sugar Rim**: Instead of salt, use sugar for a sweeter drink. Pair this with fruit-flavored margaritas.
* **Lime Zest Salt**: Combine salt with lime zest for a more aromatic rim.
* **Smoked Salt**: Adds a smoky flavor to the drink.

## Understanding Tequila Types

* **Blanco (Silver/White)**: Unaged and bottled or stored immediately after distillation. It offers the purest agave flavor.
* **Reposado (Rested)**: Aged in oak barrels for a period of two months to a year. It has a smoother flavor than blanco with hints of oak and vanilla.
* **Añejo (Aged)**: Aged in oak barrels for one to three years. It’s smoother and more complex than reposado, with richer flavors.
* **Extra Añejo (Extra Aged)**: Aged in oak barrels for more than three years. This is the most complex and expensive tequila, best sipped on its own.

For margaritas, Blanco or Reposado tequilas are most commonly used, depending on preference.

## Common Margarita Mistakes to Avoid

* **Using Bottled Lime Juice:** As reiterated, fresh lime juice is key to a vibrant margarita.
* **Over-Shaking:** Shaking for too long can over-dilute the drink.
* **Skimping on Ice:** Using too little ice will result in a lukewarm margarita.
* **Incorrect Proportions:** Using the right ratios ensures the flavors are balanced.
* **Poor Quality Tequila:** A cheap tequila can ruin the entire cocktail.

## Other Cocktail Options with Similar ingredients

* **Paloma**: A refreshing cocktail made with tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime juice.
* **Tequila Sunrise**: Tequila, orange juice, and grenadine create a layered effect.
* **Bloody Maria**: A tequila-based version of the classic Bloody Mary.
* **Mexican Mule**: Tequila, lime juice, and ginger beer combine for a spicy and refreshing drink.

## Conclusion

Ree Drummond’s margarita recipe is a reliable and delicious choice for any occasion. With its simple ingredients, balanced flavors, and easy-to-follow instructions, you can’t go wrong. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply enjoying a relaxing evening at home, this margarita is sure to be a hit. So gather your ingredients, grab your shaker, and get ready to enjoy the perfect Pioneer Woman margarita!
By following these detailed steps and incorporating the tips provided, you’ll be well on your way to crafting the perfect Ree Drummond margarita, a cocktail that’s sure to impress your friends and family, and that you’ll enjoy making again and again. Cheers!