How To Throw The Perfect {Make Your Own} Margarita Party!
How to throw the perfect {Make Your Own} Margarita party!
I was at an industry party last week, and I’ve got to say it was probably one of the most fun parties I’ve been to in a long time. The company, promoting its liquor, invited some of us to a mixology class, followed by a fabulous “make your own margarita” party which included several hundred additional guests. The bartenders were there just to help portion out the tequila, suggest combinations of fruits and herbs, or give bartending tips. We had a grand time coming up with interesting combinations! Back home, the wheels were spinning! All I could think about is what a great party idea this was! (Disclosure: this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience, at no additional cost to you.)
A Make Your Own Margarita is a super easy party!
Since these margaritas are not blended, there’s less mess, and no need to find extra blenders or an outdoor power source! Go crazy with the fruits and herbs; part of the fun is coming up with something totally different from someone else. Spencer and I spent one afternoon “testing” and came up with the following combinations; Strawberry Basil (a favorite), Mango-Chile-Cilantro (a close second),
Mango-Chile-Lime Margarita.
Blueberry-Lavender,
Blueberry-Lavender Margarita.
or Blackberry-Lavender, and Pineapple-Mango-Chile-Lime.
Blackberry-Lavender Margarita.
Keep it simple!
We decided that it’s best to keep the combinations fairly simple to let each flavor come through. Bonus! This could also be called a “skinny” margarita party! Most margarita mixes contain lots of corn syrup and artificial flavorings and colorings. These margaritas are just fruit, tequila, and orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier or Triple-Sec), and lime juice. If necessary, simple syrup, which is 1 part sugar and 1 part water, can be added…just a teaspoon or two is usually all that’s necessary! You certainly could substitute agave or stevia if desired.
Have guests bring extra jiggers, cocktail shakers, and muddlers. You could also buy jiggers or muddlers for everyone to take home as a party favor.
Citrus juicer Jigger Cocktail shaker set Wooden muddler
How to Throw the Perfect {Make Your Own} Margarita Party!
- Use an assortment of chopped fruit in ramekins. Some suggestions; mango, pineapple, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or peaches.
- Add herbs. Basil, cilantro, mint, lavender and thyme work well.
- Sliced jalapeños are a must!
- Ask friends to bring extra cocktail shakers, muddlers and jiggers…the more the merrier!
- Silver tequila works best for this type of party, as it allows the color of the fruit to show through.
- Get plenty of ice! Crushed works best.
- Straining the margarita is the traditional way, not straining is called a “dirty margarita”.
- Pre-measure the alcohol, or encourage guests to follow a the standard tequila to orange liqueur ratio for best results.
- Use FRESH lime juice! If you’re going to all the trouble to throw a fabulous party, use the best ingredients possible, and that includes fresh lime juice. Pre-juice the limes and refrigerate.
- Provide simple syrup in case guests would like to sweeten their drinks. Just a teaspoon or two is generally all that’s needed!
- Pre-slice wedges and wheels of limes.
- Provide salt and sugar for coating the rims. Smoky Chile Salt, (see recipe) regular and plain and lavender sugar work well with all the drink combinations. Try salting one half of the rim and putting sugar on the other half!
- Make sure you provide plenty of food for guests to eat!
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 2 ounces white or silver tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
- Pour all ingredients in a shaker.
- Fill with ice. Shake and pour into salt rimmed glasses.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Mango-Chile Margarita:
- 1 ounce orange liqueur, (Cointreau, Grand Mariner or Triple-Sec)
- 2 ounces while or silver tequila
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- ⅓ cup diced mango
- 1 or 2 jalapeno slices
- 1 or 2 sprigs cilantro
- 1-2 teaspoons simple syrup if desired
- Chile salt for rim
- In a cocktail shaker, add mango, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, simple syrup, and liquor.
- Using a muddler, smash the mixture well. Fill shaker to top with ice and shake for 30 seconds.
- Run a cut lime around rim and roll in salt. Fill short glass with ice to rim.
- Strain margarita into glasses and garnish with chile slices and lime wedge.
Muddle mango, lime, chile, and cilantro sprigs.
Mango-Chile Margarita. Use 2 slices of jalapeno, 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped mango and 3-4 springs of cilantro. Use muddler to meld the flavors. Add ice, tequila and orange liqueur. Shake.
Add liquor.
Add liquor. Measuring makes for a more well-balanced drink.
Strain into a glass rimmed with Smoked Chile Salt filled with ice.
Mango-Chile-Lime Margarita.
Strawberry-Basil Margarita:
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
- 1½ ounce silver tequila
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup
- ¼ cup chopped strawberries
- 2-3 large basil leaves
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle all ingredients to release and mix the flavors.
- Fill shaker to top with crushed ice. Shake for 30 seconds.
- Pour into sugar or salt rimmed glasses.
Strawberry-Basil Margarita. Use 1/4 to 1/3 cup chopped strawberries, 2-3 basil leaves and lime juice.
Add fruit, basil, liquor and plenty of ice to the shaker. Shake and strain.
Add plenty of ice to the shaker…fill it to the top!
Garnish with a spring of basil and a strawberry.
Strawberry Basil…a favorite!
This Chile Salt is perfect for rimming the glasses of all your spicy margaritas. You can also package it up in a small containers and give it as a party favor or hostess gift.
- ¼ cup kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chile powder
- 12/ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Mix all ingredients together and store in an air-tight container.
Don’t forget the food! Put out chips, salsa,
Salsa fresca.
and guacamole while guests are mixing drinks.
Fresh guacamole.
This Slow-cooker Chile Pork Colorado can be started the morning of the party. Just shred and serve with tortillas, cheese, cilantro, onions and sour cream. Cilantro Rice can be made a day ahead and served cold or warm.
Make your own Margarita Bar!
What interesting combinations would you put in your tequila when you throw the Perfect Margarita Party?
christina says
This is such a great idea! Your photos make me want to break out my tequila and cocktail shaker right now! So glad that I learned all about tequila in Mexico and that I don’t actually hate it! 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful idea!!
Mimi says
What fun! The problem with blenders is that they’re too noisy! So this is a brilliant idea!
Cathy A says
Gorgeous set up. What guests wouldn’t love this fun idea. So many delicious variation that I will have to try.
Laura says
Saving this in pinterest for any time i throw a margarita party. Thanks for sharing.
Cynthia says
Thanks Laura! It was such a fun party!