double jigger (1.5 oz.) reposado tequila
single jigger (.75 oz.) cointreau
single jigger (.75 oz.) simple syrup
juice from whole lime

  • shake over ice and strain into salt-rimmed glass

The Tequila-Forward (voted best in 538 blind tasting):

1 1/2 oz. tequila
1/4 oz. orange liqueur
3/4 oz. lime juice
1/4 oz. agave nectar

  • combine all ingredients over ice and shake well
  • strain into coupe

source: https://fivethirtyeight.com/videos/we-got-drunk-on-margaritas-for-science/

liquor.com recipe:

2 oz. tequila
1/2 oz. orange liqueur
1 oz. lime juice (1 lime)
1/2 oz. agave syrup

nytimes: same, but no agave

latest try (was not as good):

2 oz. tequila
1 oz. orange liqueur
1 oz. tangerine syrup
1/2 oz. lime juice (1/2 lime)

things to try:

  • probably too little lime juice, use a whole lime
  • shake with ice, then strain onto fresh ice
  • maybe didn’t use syrup if i was looking at nyt recipe?
  • or just reduce cointreau and syrup