Every occasion is a good time to have a margarita. Taco night? Pair ‘em with spicy margs. Hosting book club? Whip up a big batch of frozen margs and chat away. Want something refreshing on a hot day? Make watermelon, pineapple, insert-fruity-variation-here margs.

…You get our drift. Margaritas are incredibly versatile and the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Using Demitri’s Margarita Mixes makes the process even simpler. They’re made without preservatives, gluten, or high-fructose corn syrup but taste like you squeezed each lime by hand.

This recipe is our foundation for making incredible margaritas for any occasion. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can get creative with the flavor profile and add-ins. This recipe can easily be adapted for a crowd: Just stick with the proportions below and adjust to taste.

Ingredients

2 ounces tequila
3 ounces Demitri’s Margarita Mix (Organic Traditional Margarita Mix or 38 Calorie Margarita Mix for a lighter option)
¼ to ½ Cointreau or a scant drizzle of Grand Marnier for a “Cadillac” style Margo
Ice
Lime wedge

Demitri’s Margarita Rimshot Rim Salt (this blend of pineapple, pomegranate, lime, and a touch of chili pepper adds oomph for an Instagram-worthy presentation)

Directions

1. Gently moisten the rim of your glass with the lime wedge. Dip into a bowl of Demitri’s Margarita Rimshot Rim Salt.
2. Mix tequila, Demitri’s Margarita Mix, Cointreau, and ice. Give it a good shake in a cocktail shaker.
3. Sweeten to taste.
4. Fill your salt-rimmed glass with ice, strain the well-shaken ingredients into the ice-filled & salt-rimmed glass, garnish with a lime, drink, repeat!

Now that you’ve got your base down pat, let’s look at some fun ways to spice it up.

For happy hour on the porch: Jalapeno-infused margaritas

We are really starting spicy with this one! You’ll need to prep a little in advance, but it’ll be worth it. Slice up a jalapeno (skip the seeds if you want less spice!) and place in a large jar. Add tequila, cover, and let the mixture sit for a day or two. When you’re ready to make your drinks, just strain out the jalapenos. Eating it alongside chips and homemade guac isn’t required per se, but we strongly recommend you do it.

For sitting poolside: Palomas

Okay, okay, we admit this isn’t actually a margarita, but consider the paloma a close cousin. If you love citrus-forward flavors, you’ll enjoy this slightly sweet, slightly sour, super refreshing beverage.

To make, start with the standard margarita recipe but in place of triple sec, use fresh grapefruit juice. To make it bubbly, top with sparkling water. The fruity, spicy flavors of the rim salt go perfectly with a paloma.

For hosting dinner: Strawberry basil margaritas

Thoughtful food and cocktail pairings can make a simple dinner party feel extravagant. This strawberry basil margarita perfectly complements summer dishes like fresh caprese salad using veggies from your backyard or the farmers market.

Gently muddle sliced fresh strawberries and basil in your cocktail shaker until you can smell the basil. No muddler, no problem! Use a wooden mixing spoon instead. Once muddled, add tequila, Demitri’s Margarita Mix, and triple sec to the shaker… and you know the drill by now.

Be sure to bookmark this blog for inspiration before your next event! The great part about a premium mix like Demitri’s is that you can add whatever fruit, herbs, sweetener, etc. you want and it’ll still come out tasty. Let’s get shaking!