This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Gin Margarita recipe (also known as a “Margatini”) is quick and easy to make with 3 simple ingredients, and it’s a surprisingly delicious change of pace from traditional tequila!
A few weeks ago when I shared one of the five cocktail recipes I whipped up for our big Gin Night with friends — a delicious effort to empty our bar before moving to Barcelona — a number of you followed up asking for the other four recipes.
Specifically, my margatini recipe.
A.k.a — gin margaritas. ?
Have you guys ever made these before? Amazingly — as much as I love margaritas — our Gin Night was the first time I had ever tried swapping in gin for tequila. I had heard from various friends before who loved and recommended the combo. But after so many good years with tequila (and mezcal), I was admittedly a little skeptical about the idea of the swap.
Well, judging by the very large and very empty pitcher at the end of the night, the margatinis were a surprise hit!
I probably shouldn’t have been surprised, knowing how well lime juice traditionally pairs with gin. (Hello, g&ts…) But I was pleasantly surprised to see how all of those yummy botanicals in the gin also paired really well with the citrusy orange flavors from the Cointreau, all of which were accented by that traditional salty rim. The resulting drink felt like a crisp, complex, smart cocktail. And it clearly had everyone going back for more. ?
So without further ado, here’s the recipe we all loved! Even if you’re not traditionally a gin lover, I think this one might surprise you.
To make a gin margarita, all you need are 3 main ingredients (affiliate links below):
gin
orange liqueur (I prefer Cointreau, but Triple Sec works too)
freshly-squeezed lime juice (I recommend this juicer to every marg-lover I know, it makes juicing a breeze)
Mix the three together in a cocktail shaker. Then taste, and add a hint of agave if you would like a sweeter cocktail. (I prefer mine tart, with zero added sweetener.) Serve over ice in a glass with a salted rim. (I used these gorgeous glasses, which are currently on sale today at West Elm.)
Then voila! This refreshing margatini will be yours to enjoy!
If you’d like a spicier kick, feel free to muddle a jalapeño slice in there too. Or gussy up the rim by adding in a shake of Tajín (or chili powder) along with your salt.
And of course, gins vary widely in flavor. So feel free to experiment with various varieties and see what tastes best to you. Cheers, everyone!
optional sweeteners: agave nectar or simple syrup, if desired
for serving: lime wedge, coarse salt, ice
Instructions
If you would like salt-rimmed glasses, begin by running a lime slice (the juicy part) around the top rim of a glass. Fill a shallow bowl with salt, and dip the rim in the salt until it is covered with your desired amount of salt. Set aside.
Add gin, lime juice and Cointreau to a cocktail shaker, and shake or stir until combined. Taste, and if you would like it to be sweeter, stir in a half teaspoon of agave or simple syrup at a time, until the mix reaches your desired level of sweetness.
Fill glass with ice. Pour in the margarita mixture over the rocks. Serve immediately, garnished with an extra lime wedge if desired.
This sounds like a great way to use our bottle of gin. I love that the drink is made with straight lime juice, not the stupid sweet/sour mix that seems to be so popular. Margaritas of any type do much better with fresh lime juice. I also love the idea of using Tajin on the rim. I bought a bottle of it so I need to use it… :-)
A gimlet with Cointreau subbing for the lime cordial, and a little bit different presentation. I made it with Aviation gin and quite liked it.
Ron —
Rimmed with Tajin and muddled a jalapeño slice. We were out of tequila but cooking Mexican for dinner. We love martinis and this was the perfect mix. I used a margartia glass. Turned out fabulous.
A lovely surprise with local Tumbleroot Gin! I added a teaspoon of Rose’s Lime instead of agave nectar or simple syrup. Perfect with shredded pork burritos!
I ran out of tequila, so I tried this recipe and we (my hubby and I) we’re pleasantly surprised! What a hit!!! We loved it and will be making pitchers of it for our friends! Thanks!
Really enjoyed this and like the “Ginarita” name mentioned in previous post. More orange flavor in this. Tequila is leading flavor in regular margarita. I like both!
Isn’t this a “White Lady” cocktail? (I just discovered these a few weeks ago; I had a bottle of Gordon’s and no tequila) I usually use orange curacao — not blue. Yuck — because it’s sweeter than triple sec, that way I don’t need any simple syrup. I shake them, then pour ice-and-all into a glass instead of straining onto fresh ice.
Hey, I’m Ali!
My favorite thing in life is time spent around the table. And all the better with some seriously tasty food to bring us all together. more about me »
Thanks so much for this recipe! I like margaritas but I’m eh about tequila. Gin, however, I love!
Can’t wait to try this since I actually have Cointreau at home! Have you had a gin gimlet? You might like that too.
I’m always game to try a new margarita recipe! I’m excited about this one. :)
This sounds like a great way to use our bottle of gin. I love that the drink is made with straight lime juice, not the stupid sweet/sour mix that seems to be so popular. Margaritas of any type do much better with fresh lime juice. I also love the idea of using Tajin on the rim. I bought a bottle of it so I need to use it… :-)
This is my husbands favorite drink! Except he calls it a ginarita. So yummy!
A gimlet with Cointreau subbing for the lime cordial, and a little bit different presentation. I made it with Aviation gin and quite liked it.
Rimmed with Tajin and muddled a jalapeño slice. We were out of tequila but cooking Mexican for dinner. We love martinis and this was the perfect mix. I used a margartia glass. Turned out fabulous.
Delicious! I used Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau.
A lovely surprise with local Tumbleroot Gin! I added a teaspoon of Rose’s Lime instead of agave nectar or simple syrup. Perfect with shredded pork burritos!
I ran out of tequila, so I tried this recipe and we (my hubby and I) we’re pleasantly surprised! What a hit!!! We loved it and will be making pitchers of it for our friends! Thanks!
Really enjoyed this and like the “Ginarita” name mentioned in previous post. More orange flavor in this. Tequila is leading flavor in regular margarita. I like both!
Isn’t this a “White Lady” cocktail? (I just discovered these a few weeks ago; I had a bottle of Gordon’s and no tequila) I usually use orange curacao — not blue. Yuck — because it’s sweeter than triple sec, that way I don’t need any simple syrup. I shake them, then pour ice-and-all into a glass instead of straining onto fresh ice.