Pioneer Woman Cadillac Margarita

Pioneer Woman Cadillac margarita is a smooth, tart cocktail with reposado tequila, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur that comes together in 5 minutes. It's an easy Cinco de Mayo cocktail for summer parties, happy hour or girls' night, and it's a shaker recipe made for two.

Squeeze the limes fresh instead of reaching for a bottle, because that bright juice is what balances the tequila and the orange liqueur. Skip it and the drink tastes flat and a little sour in the wrong way.

Using reposado tequila and Cointreau or Grand Marnier gives this margarita a rounder, oakier flavor than a standard triple sec version. Shaking over plenty of ice also chills and dilutes it just enough, so the first sip is smooth and not harsh.

Pioneer Woman Cadillac Margarita

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Course: BeverageCuisine: American, MexicanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

260

kcal

Reposado tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur get shaken hard over ice until the drink turns cold, tart and smooth. A salted rim and a splash of agave let you tune it from crisp to a little sweeter.

Ingredients

• 3 oz. reposado tequila
  

• 3 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
  

• 2 oz. orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  

• 1/2 oz. agave nectar (optional)
  

• Sea salt, for glasses
  

• Lime and mandarin slices, for garnish
  

Directions

• Fill the shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes, then add 3 oz. reposado tequila, 3 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice and 2 oz. orange liqueur. Stir in 1/2 oz. agave nectar if you want a sweeter drink.
• Salt the glasses: Sprinkle sea salt on a plate, then rub the rims of two margarita or cocktail glasses with a lime wedge or mandarin slice. Dip each rim into the salt, twisting to coat, and fill the glasses with ice.
• Shake the margaritas: Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously so the mixture gets ice cold. Then pour it evenly into the two glasses.
• Garnish and serve: Top each glass with lime and mandarin slices for garnish. Serve right away while the drinks are still frosty.

Tools for this recipe

• OXO Steel cocktail shaker, OXO steel double jigger, Zulay metal lemon squeezer. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

What can I use instead of reposado tequila?

Blanco tequila works fine, though the margarita will taste a bit sharper and less oaky. Reposado is aged in oak barrels, so it gives the drink those smoother vanilla and spice notes.

Can I make Cadillac margaritas ahead of time?

You can mix the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and agave in a pitcher a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Shake it over fresh ice right before serving, since that chilling and dilution is what makes it taste right.

Can I make these without a cocktail shaker?

A mason jar with a tight lid works just as well, so fill it with ice, add everything and shake hard. Strain it into your glasses so the ice stays behind.

Can I make a pitcher for a crowd?

The recipe doubles or triples easily, so multiply each ingredient and mix it in a big pitcher over ice. Salt the rims ahead of time and pour as guests arrive.

What's the most common mistake with this margarita?

Skimping on the ice in the shaker is the usual one, because the drink then stays warm and tastes too boozy. Fill the shaker halfway and shake until the outside feels frosty.