Although I usually do the cooking at home, my husband Clayton has a few standout recipes—especially his signature Clayton’s Margarita. It’s a classic margarita on the rocks with a few thoughtful tweaks. The best part for me is the addition of a small amount of egg white, which gives the drink a silky, foamy top.
Clayton is our weekend bartender and the go-to host when guests come over. He improvises well—often building drinks by taste—so I finally asked him to write the recipe down so I could share it. After some nudging, he agreed. Below is his straightforward version that’s easy to follow and perfect for taco night or any gathering.
ingredients:
- Tequila
- Cointreau (or another triple sec)
- Fresh lime juice
- Simple syrup
- Egg whites (optional, for foam)
- Tajín or coarse salt, for rimming
- Lime wedges, for serving
step-by-step:
step one: blend it up
Combine tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and the egg white in a blender. Blend until the mixture is frothy and well combined.
step two: rim the glasses
Pour some Tajín or coarse salt onto a small plate. Cut a slit in a lime wedge and run it around the rim of each glass, then roll the rim through the Tajín or salt to coat.
step three: serve and enjoy
Fill each glass with ice, pour in the margarita mixture, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve immediately.
recipe faqs:
Cointreau is a French orange liqueur commonly used in margaritas. You can substitute another triple sec if needed.
We like a higher-quality blanco tequila for a clean agave flavor. Use what you enjoy drinking neat or on the rocks.
Egg whites create that signature foamy top and a smoother mouthfeel. If you prefer not to use them, omit them—your margarita will still be delicious.
For a large group, skip the egg whites and mix the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and simple syrup in a dispenser. Keep the mix at room temperature rather than refrigerated to avoid it becoming overly tart—let guests pour over ice and rim their own glasses.
Try Clayton’s Margarita next time you’re hosting or want to elevate a casual dinner. Blend it, taste it, and feel free to leave a comment with your tweaks or impressions.
Clayton’s Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 cup tequila
- 1/4 cup Cointreau
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
- 1 teaspoon egg whites
- Tajín or coarse salt, for rimming
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Combine the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg whites in a blender. Blend until frothy.
- Spread some Tajín or coarse salt on a small plate. Cut a slit in a lime wedge and rub it along the rim of a glass. Roll the edge of the glass in the Tajín or salt to coat the rim.
- Fill each glass with ice and carefully pour in the margarita. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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Photography by Eat Love Eats.