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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Margarita mixes make it easier for the novice bartender to mix up drinks without worrying about following a recipe. You will need to read the instruction label on the bottle because some mixes already include the alcohol. Even with margarita mixes that only call for adding tequila, some bartenders like to add half a shot of triple sec, which is an orange-flavored liqueur. Traditional margaritas made without mixes contain tequila, triple sec and lime juice.

Straight Up

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Cover a small plate with a layer of salt or margarita salt.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Run a wedge of lime or lemon around the brim of the glass. When making a straight-up margarita, a standard glass typically is used, such as a rocks glass or tumbler.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Dip the rim of the glass in the plate of salt. Lift the glass from the plate, and gently shake off the excess salt.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Fill the glass with ice.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Fill a shot glass with tequila, and pour the tequila from the shot glass into the glass of ice. Skip this step and go to Step 6 if the mix includes tequila.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Add 1/2 shot of triple sec, if desired.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Fill the glass with the tequila mix and stir.

Frozen

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Fill the margarita glass over-brimming with ice. A traditional margarita glass is stemware with a double-shaped bowl.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Fill a shot glass with tequila, and pour the tequila from the shot glass into the glass of ice. Move to Step 3 if the mix includes tequila.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Add 1/2 shot of triple sec, if desired.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Fill the glass with the tequila mix.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Pour the contents of the glass into a blender and blend until it has the consistency of an ice slushie.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Cover a small plate with a layer of salt or margarita salt.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Run a wedge of lime or lemon around the rim of the emptied glass.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Dip the rim of the glass in the plate of salt. Lift the glass from the plate, and gently shake off the excess salt.

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Rafael Suarez/Demand Media

Pour the frozen margarita mixture from the blender back into the glass.

Tip

While the traditional margarita recipe calls for triple sec and lime juice, there are other margarita recipes calling for the addition of fresh fruit, such as orange margaritas or strawberry margaritas.