5 Refreshing Margarita Recipes

Tequila, made from the blue agave plant, is the hottest distilled spirit in the U.S. according to The 2022 Traveler: Emerging Trends and the Redefined Traveler, a Report from Hilton. It’s also the key ingredient in margaritas. Select from one of three main types of tequila — Blanco (silver or white), Reposado and Añejo — and warm your spirits this winter with these elevated margarita recipes that will have you dreaming of your next tropical getaway.

Carnaval by Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach

Inspired by the city of Tulum, Mexico, Carnaval is a spicy take on the classic margarita. With its blend of jalapeño peppers and cool, refreshing watermelon, it reflects the year-round sunshine, ocean breezes and spicy nightlife that has come to define the Yucatan destination.

Carnaval Recipe:

• 1.5 oz Blanco tequila
• 1 oz orange liqueur
• 4 watermelon chunks
• 1 oz lime juice
• 2 jalapeño slices
• 0.5 oz agave
• Tajin rim seasoning
• watermelon triangle slice

Instructions:
In a Boston shaker, muddle slices of Jalapeño and watermelon chunks. Add all remaining ingredients. Add ice and shake. Rim a rocks glass with Tajin seasoning. Strain the concoction into the rimmed rocks glass. Add fresh ice. Garnish with a watermelon triangle slice.

Margarita al Pastor by Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort

Just as the margarita is a symbolic cocktail in Mexico, the taco al pastor is one of Hilton Cancun’s most representative dishes. The resort fused the tastes within a cocktail to symbolize a proud Mexican heritage with flavor that everyone can enjoy.

Margarita al Pastor Recipe:

• 1 oz Blanco tequila
• 0.5 oz Controy liqueur
• 0.5 oz Ancho Reyes liqueur
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 15 crushed coriander leaves
• ½ piece crushed chile guajillo
• 0.10 g Tajín rim seasoning
• 0.5 oz natural syrup
• 1 wedge of pineapple
• Sal de gusano y chapulín (worm and cricket salt)

Instructions:
Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice till the top. Stir in white tequila, Controy and Ancho Reyes for a few seconds. Add lemon juice, coriander leaves and chile guajillo, and stir again. Add Tajín and natural syrup, then add sal de gusano y chapulín. Stir everything one last time and add a wedge of pineapple for garnish.

Bazooka Rita by Hilton Austin

The Bazooka Rita, featured at Hilton Austin’s restaurant, Austin Taco Project, includes some classic margarita ingredients with a smoky pineapple and tamarind fruit twist. This cocktail is unique and colorful, just like the restaurant, property and the city of Austin.

Bazooka Rita Recipe:

• 1.75 oz Corralejo Reposado tequila
• 0.5 oz agave nectar
• 1 oz lime
• 0.25 oz Cointreau triple sec
• 1 oz smoked pineapple cordial
• 0.5 oz tamarind syrup
• 1 pineapple wedge
• smoked chili lime salt for the rim
• 1 bouquet of fresh mint

Instructions:
Prepare a Collins glass with rimmed smoked chili lime salt. Combine Corralejo reposado, agave nectar, lime, Cointreau, smoked pineapple cordial and tamarind syrup into a mixing glass filled with ice. Shake contents in mixing glass, then strain into a Collins glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and fresh mint.

Ginger Margarita by Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

The ginger margarita is the perfect rooftop refresher on a sunny California day at The Rooftop by JG at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. The smooth, chilled tequila pairs perfectly with bold hints of ginger, balanced beautifully with refreshing moments of tart lime.

Ginger Margarita Recipe:

• 1.5 oz Casamigos Reposado tequila
• 1 oz Cointreau triple sec
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz ginger syrup

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients in a tall shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds to chill. Prepare a rim rocks glass with salt. Pour all ingredients over ice and garnish with lime.

Blackberry Margarita by Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock

The blackberry margarita is a favorite warm-weather cocktail, enjoyed best with a side of sunshine, which Sedona has in spades. The reposado tequila pairs smoothly with the sweet and sour blackberries, balanced by the sweetness of the agave.

Blackberry Margarita Recipe:

• 1.5 oz. tequila (Reposado preferred)
• 1 oz. Cointreau triple sec
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz. simple syrup
• 1 handful of fresh blackberries
• slice of lime for garnish

Instructions:
Add fresh blackberries to a mixing glass and muddle. Mix all ingredients in a tall shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Prepare a rim rocks glass with salt. Pour all ingredients over ice and garnish with lime. Bonus points if you get creative with the lime garnish, as shown.