Top Shelf Margarita {without breaking the bank}

April 25, 2014
Ah, there's not much better than a good Margarita on the rocks -- with the key word being GOOD!  Margaritas, if not made well, can certainly be a disappointment.  But this Top Shelf Margarita, actually crafted with "middle class" tequilas to not break your bank, most certainly will not disappoint!
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Top Shelf Margarita {without breaking the bank} Image

So there's lots of fuss out there about Margaritas ... classic, crazy-flavored, frozen, on the rocks, top shelf ... right?  And in my opinion, all this fuss is with good reason.  Because a good Margarita is ... well ... just plain good.

When it comes to a "good" Margarita for me, I'm a very classic girl ~ just a classic Margarita, top shelf, straight up or on the rocks.  No crushed up ice, whirred-in-a-blender frozen concoctions for me.  No crazy fruit flavors.  And top shelf all the way ~ there's no other way.

But what does that mean to be top shelf, and how do you make top shelf at home without it costing an arm and a leg?

This Top Shelf Margarita, actually crafted with "middle class" tequilas to not break your bank, most certainly will not disappoint!

"Top shelf" is an adjective used to mean "of high quality" or "excellent."

When it comes to liquor, it refers to those higher quality liquors typically stored on the higher shelves (or top shelf, if you will) of a bar or bartender's station.  See, the lower quality (and hence, less expensive) liquors are ordered more often ... which means bars are set up for those to be within quick reach of the bartender, so they're on the lower shelves.  The top shelf stuff is the expensive stuff ... that gets ordered less often, and so can be stored where it's a tad of a stretch to reach.  Make sense? 

When I'm out and about, I don't mind splurging to have my Margarita be full-on top shelf.

But when it comes to buying full bottles of liquor to make my Margaritas at home, that truly top shelf stuff adds up quick!  What's a top shelf girl to do?

Top Shelf Margarita with Middle Class Tequila Ingredients Image

Well fortunately, you don't have to break the bank to make a delicious Margarita worthy of top shelf status at home.

A little trick to get top shelf taste without top shelf price is to use what's sometimes referred to as "middle class" tequilas to craft your Margaritas, while being sure to use high quality, truly top shelf ingredients for the rest of the stuff in the drink.

Like using high quality orange liquor, freshly squeezed lime juice, and Rose's sweetened lime juice.  Not skimping on the quality of these ingredients is key!

The "higher quality" ingredients you'll need for this Margarita recipe are:

  • Grand Marnier orange liquor (or Cointreau)
  • Freshly-squeezed lime juice, and
  • Rose's sweetened lime juice

If you're not familiar with Rose's sweetened lime juice, it can be found in a small bottle in the drink mixers section of the grocery store.  It serves as a fabulous, balanced base for this homemade Margarita.

Bottle of Roses Sweetened Lime Juice Image

Now admittedly, a bottle of higher-end orange liquor ... such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau ... is pricey.  If you don't drink this regularly enough to want to spend the price of a full bottle, my suggestion is to buy one or two of the little mini bottles.

Since only a splash is used in each Margarita, a couple of mini bottles will suffice for making several of these yummy top shelf cocktails.

The "middle class" tequilas you'll need for this Margarita recipe are:

  • Sauza Silver tequila (or, you can substitute Jose Cuervo Silver)
  • Jose Cuervo Gold tequila

Then this recipe also uses lower-cost Triple Sec orange liquor in combination with the higher-quality, higher-cost Grand Marnier.  This allows you to use less higher-end Grand Marnier, but still get the flavor hit orange liquor brings to the finished cocktail.

And, of course we're all familiar with the signature Margarita salted rim, right?

To mix up a refreshing glass of this Margarita recipe, start with preparing the glass's signature salted rim.  It's truly so easy to do.

Simply run the cut side of a lime wedge around the rim of the glass:

Rubbing Margarita Glass Rim with Lime Image

Then dip the wet rim in a bit of kosher salt.

I like to pour a bit of salt out on a flat plate.  That way I can dip pretty much all of the glass's rim at the same time.  Easy, peasy.

Dipping Margarita Glass Rim in Salt Image

To make the cocktail itself, place all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake everything together for about 20 to 30 seconds.

How to Make a Top Shelf Margarita Image

Then strain the Margarita mixture into the prepared salted-rim glass.  Garnish with a fresh lime wedge or two, and you're good to go.  Good to go with enjoying your super tasty refreshing Margarita from scratch, made right at home.

Top Shelf Margarita with Salted Rim Image

And now?  Now I think I'm in the mood for a Margarita ~ a classic, on the rocks, top shelf Margarita ... that won't break my bank.

Check out these other super tasty Margaritas & Mojitos:
Top Shelf Margarita On the Rocks Image
Thank you for stopping by The Kitchen is My Playground. We'd love to have you back soon!
margarita on the rocks recipe, top shelf margarita recipe, margarita recipe, how to make margaritas, how to make margaritas on the rocks
Beverages
Mexican
Yield: 1 margarita
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Top Shelf Margarita {without breaking the bank}

Top Shelf Margarita {without breaking the bank}

Ah, there's not much better than a good Margarita on the rocks -- with the key word there being GOOD! Margaritas, if not made well, can certainly be a disappointment. But this Top Shelf Margarita, actually crafted with 'middle class' tequilas to not break your bank, most certainly will not disappoint!
Prep time: 5 MCook time: Total time: 5 M

Ingredients:

For Each Margarita:
  • 1/2 lime, squeezed
  • 3 oz. Sauza white/silver tequila
  • 3/4 oz. Jose Cuervo Gold tequila
  • 1 T. Triple Sec
  • 1 splash Grand Marnier {or Cointreau}
  • 3 oz. Rose's sweetened lime juice

Instructions:

  1. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for about 20 to 30 seconds.
  2. Strain into a chilled margarita or cocktail glass with a salted rim.
Created using The Recipes Generator


You might also love these other tasty cocktail recipes:

How to Make Mojitos

Coconut Mojitos

7 comments

  1. I'm stopping over from Strut your Stuff link party. I am glad to know the brands and ingredients to have on-hand for real margaritas. Will be having all this on-hand for summer. Thanks :)

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  2. This looks crazy delicious and I love all your fabulous tips!!

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  3. I love, love, LOVE margaritas. They are my kryptonite. I'm definitely going to try this recipe! :)

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  4. Yum! I shared this today on my Best of the Internet series on my blog! http://mommylikewhoa.com/2014/05/best-internet-volume-9/

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  5. This margarita looks so delicious and refreshing! I definitely could use one on this hot summer day! Thanks so much for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party!!!

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  6. This sounds like such a delicious Margarita, Tracey, and I really don't think I'd notice it was middle class at all! Thank you for sharing this wonderful post with Hearth and Soul Link Party Community. I’m featuring this post at the party this week. Hope to ‘see’ you there! Take care, stay well, and I wish you a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete

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