The ultimate cadillac margarita recipe! What makes it an ultimate? The premium ingredients, of course!! And the mixing! I can attest that it is the best margarita ever!
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This is my number one recipe on the blog. I originally made it 5 months into blogging and have updated some photos back in early 2017, but wanted to do a revamp since this truly is the best margarita I’ve ever had.
The History of my Cadillac Margarita
This is the ultimate Cadillac margarita! Well, my version of it. Here’s the thing. When I worked at that Mexican restaurant all those years ago, this was the best margarita that you could purchase. It had premium ingredients and it came with a side shot of Grand Marnier.
The above photo shows the empty side shot. I floated it in the cocktail, although it didn’t stay afloat. It delicately slinks down into the drink and if you stir the Cadillac margarita, it will produce a more golden drink!
I used to have the original restaurant glassware that this delish drink was served in but the glass was thin and as we’ve moved multiple times, it got broken somewhere along the line.
Okay, so what were those premium ingredients? The restaurant used Cuervo 1800 tequila, triple sec and sweet and sour mix, with the above mentioned side shot of Grand Marnier. The reason they sent it to you on the side was to give you the choice of either pouring it into your drink or doing it as a shooter. Most people poured it into their drinks.
These truly were the best margaritas of their time. And I see that although that Mexican restaurant is no longer represented here on the east coast, they are still prevalent on the west coast. And they still serve this cocktail, although a different version of it.
Enough about the past. Now for the present. On to the recipe:
For many years I have taken my margaritas up a notch in the quality of ingredients. My favorite tequila, thus far, is Patron Silver. If you like tequila, you have to try this brand. I’ve had lots of different tequilas over the years but I keep coming back to this one. Why? It is so smooth. You can do a shot of this tequila and not have to eat the lime after. It’s that good.
The Cadillac Margarita Ingredients and the Mixing
I absolutely love the packaging on the Patron Silver tequila. It comes in a green box, with green tissue paper (you can see the green box in the background). Each bottle is hand blown and has a handwritten number on it with a person’s initials, though I’m not sure if that person would have made the bottle or packaged the tequila. Either way, I consider him/her a dear friend.
I use Cointreau instead of triple sec because it is a higher quality liqueur. You just have to do a side by side sniff/taste test for yourself to judge the difference. Besides, this is a Cadillac margarita – so the ingredients should be top shelf.
I use 4 ounces of fresh lime juice, which translated to 2 1/2 limes. I also use simple syrup and together these ingredients constitute the sweet and sour of this recipe.
And last but not least, the Grand Marnier. I love this liqueur. It is made with cognac and orange. Delish!
Okay, time to make the Cadillac Margarita.
I grab my shaker and fill it 3/4 way with ice.
Since I’m making 2 Cadillac margaritas, I measure out 4 ounces of tequila.
Into the shaker it goes!
Now for the Cointreau.
I measure out 2 ounces of the Cointreau and pour it into the shaker.
Squeeze It!
Now to squeeze the limes. Here is the contraption
I measure 4 ounces of lime juice and pour it into the shaker.
Now I measure out 2 ounces of simple syrup. I prefer the 2:1 ratio between the lime and simple syrup, because any more sugar than that, in my humble opinion, makes the drink too sweet. And sweet is for chocolate!
I take two shot glasses and measure out 1 ounce of Grand Mariner per shot glass.
It’s time to salt the glasses.
I wet the rim of the glass with some lime juice, pour some kosher salt on a plate and dip the rim in the salt. I keep the glass upside down for a moment and shake it a little before I place it right side up because I don’t want the salt to fall into the glass. In my opinion, too many bartenders aren’t careful with the salt and that makes for a salty drink. Blech!
I cap my shaker and shake away for 30 seconds!! I stick a few big cubes in the glasses and pour the Cadillac margarita equally between the two glasses. Mustn’t play favorites.
Here are the Cadillac margaritas without the shots poured in.
This photo is with the lime wheels garnishing the sides of the glasses and the Grand Marnier poured in. Gives it a nice glowy look!
Here is the original photo of the Cadillac margarita.
Here’s the vertical view of the Cadillac margarita.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe. I do love my margaritas and there was a time when that was all I would drink when I went out to eat. I have since expanded my horizons.
Please feel free to Pin any photo to Pinterest or Yum the recipe to Yummly. I’d also love to hear what kind of tequila you like and why, so leave me a comment. 🙂
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
This ultimate Cadillac margarita is a mixture of premium liquors and delicious because of it! This is the best margarita I've ever had.
- 4 ounces Patron Silver tequila or other brand
- 2 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
- 4 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounce Grand Marnier divided
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Fill your shaker 3/4 full with ice
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Add tequila, Cointreau, lime juice and simple syrup
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Wet rim of glass with water or lime juice
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Dip glass into plate of Kosher salt
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Pour 1 ounce of Gran Marnier into each shot glass, set aside
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Cap shaker and shake for 30 seconds
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Add extra ice to both glasses and pour contents of the shaker equally between the two glasses, being careful not to pour it over the salted rims
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Put lime wheels on the rim of the glasses
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Set shots of Gran Marnier beside glass of margarita
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Serve
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Pour Gran Marnier into margarita or do it as a shot
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Lick some salt off rim
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Sip drink
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Sigh
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Smile
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Enjoy
Looks delish! We will have to get together for margaritas soon!
Definitely :). I love making a good drink…… and imbibing :).
xo
Elaine
You are my kind of lady! LOVE a cadillac and using patron…only the best for the best!
Woot!! Another kindred spirit! 🙂 I totally agree!
Have an awesome Monday!
Elaine
This looks amazing! I have literally zero bartending skills or knowledge but this was a great post. You explained everything so well that I feel like even a dummy like me could make this 😉 Pinning!
Thanks Valentina! 🙂
Elaine
Thanks for such a detailed margarita how to post! very helpful for newbies like me. Great photos and detail shots
Thanks Natalie 🙂
It’s good to hear that they are informative. I love making cocktails 🙂 Especially Margaritas.
Elaine
welcome to Yum Goggle! We are following you on all your social media and hope you will follow us back. We will do our best to tag you each time we promote your posts. Kelli at YG!
That sounds like a delicious cocktail!
Betty, it is my favorite way to drink a margarita!
Great easy margarita recipe!
Thanks Kathryn, it’s my favorite!
That is a damn good margarita. Will make these often ????
Thanks so much Sheryl!! It is my favorite drink of all time! In fact, I had it again this past weekend! Thank you for your comment.
Wonderful margarita! So far it’s the best I’ve had since I started my quest for a really good margarita last year, so you win! Thanks! I would have done 5 stars but I’m leaving room for yours and our broadened horizons. I made them last night and my husband just came in from work and asked for another one. That’s a really good sign!
Yay Cathy! That is my feeling about the Cadillac margarita! It is my go-to way of imbibing margaritas! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Hi. Can you substitute the Patron reposado? Also, I have to watch my sugar, is the simple syrup necessary, or is there a substitute. Do you need the sweet and sour taste? Thank you.
Brian. You do need the simple syrup because of the sweet and sour. It would be too sour otherwise. And yes you can use the reposado. What I would do if I were you, is use 1/4 ounce – taste it, and then if you need to get to 1/2 ounce – it still won’t be too sweet. In fact, it’s still a little on the sour side which I like.
Fantastic post. And thank you! I only drink Cadillac margaritas. Because of finances, I’ve devised a cost-friendlier version. Any 100% agave reposado tequila – get the cheapest one. Regular triple sec is fine, as the “Grand Marnier” fattens the drink up nicely anyway. I cheat by adding sugar (rather than simple syrup) into the shaker first because the lime juice will help it dissolve sufficiently. Likewise, shake a little more than you do, and you’ll get the added water from melted ice, plus it fully dissolves the sugar. Finally, I buy the least expensive Grand Marnier-substitute I can find. There aren’t many, but I use Gran Gala. It makes a great margarita, maybe a shade less elegant than yours, but it’s still marvelous.
Thanks Duke! It’s my all time favorite margarita!! Nice changes to make it cost friendly! But I still love the premiums!
yay for margaritas!!! this reminds me of sipping margaritas on the beach in Mexico! I fell in love with margaritas there! I’ll be sure to make a batch for Cinco de Mayo!
You won’t regret it Georgie! They truly are the best!
Mmm. I love a good margarita, and there’s definitely nothing quite like a true homemade margarita like this one. Yum!
Thanks Leslie! This is such a popular cocktail and it’s requested by a lot of my guests!
These look dangerously delicious! I will have to try them for Cinco de Mayo!
It is dangerous! They are potent but delicious!
This would be perfect to serve at a Cinco de Mayo party! I bet these would be a crowd pleaser!
They really are Vicky! Thank you!
I love cadillac margaritas! The Grand Marnier really takes it up a notch. Fantastic recipe!
Thanks Jenni! I love adding Grand Marnier to cocktails. It gives it such a smooth taste!
Gorgeous photos of a super delicious cocktail! Great recipe.