Copy Cat El Bee’s Margaritas

Only 3 ingredients make up our favorite El Bee’s margaritas.  It doesn’t get any easier than this to make a delicious and thirst-quenching margarita. But beware, these margaritas will pack a punch! 

Our favorite margaritas come from a Mexican restaurant in our area called El Bee’s.  It’s been around for as long as I can remember, and their fresh salsa and food are delicious, but their margaritas are the best part. I must warn you though, they pack a serious punch, so drink carefully!

I got this recipe from a source that knows just how they make their margaritas at El Bee’s, so if you have been there and you love them like we do, you will be so excited to have this recipe to try at home! We like to serve them like they do in the restaurant; two salty glasses, and a one-quart carafe.

Copy Cat El Bee’s Margarita

This recipe for a margarita cocktail is so simple to prepare. I bet you never realized how easy it is to make a pitcher of margaritas. Measure, stir, and enjoy! That’s about it. Just combine lime juice, tequila, and triple sec and you’ll be all set.  

Best margarita recipe

Perfect for a hot summer day, you can’t go wrong with making a large batch of this easy margarita recipe. Smooth, sweet, and tart, this margarita drink recipe is the perfect way to cool down. If you are expecting a big crowd, looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, or want to honor National Margarita Day,  you can easily double the recipe. Or, if you want to make a margarita on the rocks just for yourself, I’ve got you covered. 

If you love this margarita recipe, you are sure to love these margarita variations too: Frozen Pineapple Margaritas (pictured above,) Strawberry Margaritas, or this Blueberry Margarita.   

Traditional Margarita

If you’ve never made a margarita from scratch, I have listed the margarita recipe ingredients below and you only need 3 of them. So, don’t worry if this margarita without a mix seems too complicated it isn’t. 

You’ll be happy to know the secret ingredient is most likely something you already have on hand so that makes it even easier for you to enjoy a classic margarita without any stress. 

Ingredients for the best margarita recipe

For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card. 

• Roses Lime Juice – We use Roses lime juice but any kind of lime juice will work, fresh lime juice is also an option. 
• Sauza Silver Tequila- Sauza Silver Tequila is what El Bee’s uses for their margarita. You could try other tequilas, but to get it just right, use Sauza Silver.
• Triple Sec – Add Triple Sec for authentic margaritas, but Cointreau or Grand Marnier are other options.
• Ice cubes
• To Garnish – Margarita salt and limes.

Be sure to keep reading to find tips and tricks, substitutions, and answers to questions you may have about this Copy Cat El Bee’s Margarita. 

How to make the perfect margarita

Just one quick step to preparing this margarita recipe with super simple ingredients. 

Fill a one-quart pitcher with ice. Add tequila, triple sec, and lime juice. Serve in a margarita glass with a salted rim and a lime wedge. 

Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container or mason jar for 2-3 days. 

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this favorite margarita recipe make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

FAQs about this margarita pitcher recipe

• What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? The key ingredient that makes margaritas taste so yummy is the addition of lime juice. 
• Why do you put triple sec in margaritas? Triple sec adds some sweetness to the margarita. 
• What is the formula for a margarita? The formula for a margarita is 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime,  and ½ part Cointreau. 
• What is a classic margarita made of? A classic margarita recipe uses tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. 
• Is Cointreau or triple sec better in Margarita? Classic margaritas use Cointreau so for an authentic tasting drink, use Cointreau. 

Substitutions

Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own! Just remember that if you want it to taste just like El Bee’s, then follow the original recipe. 

• Use a margarita mix if you don’t have fresh lime juice on hand. 

• Use Cointreau or Grand Marnier instead of Triple Sec for a different flavor profile.

• Experiment with different types of tequila, such as blanco, or reposado tequila to alter the flavor of your margarita.

• If you’ve run out of fresh limes, use lemon juice or orange juice, any citrus juice will work. 

Tips & Tricks

• To make a single serving, use equal parts tequila and triple sec, 1/2 Rose’s lime juice.

• For the best drinking experience make sure the rim of the glass is dipped in kosher salt or coarse salt. 

• For a slightly sweeter drink stir in agave syrup.

• We take our margaritas over ice, not blended, but you could blend them if you desire.

More Cocktail Recipes

If you love classic cocktails you’ll love this Moscow Mule or this Homemade Irish Cream. If you prefer drinks with a salt rim this Apple Cider Margarita is a great option. If you are looking for something a little different, this Rose Sangria (above) or this Grown Up Orange Julius may interest you.  

Get the taste of a margarita in my Margarita Dip, my Margarita Fruit Salad, or these tasty Margarita Dessert Bars!

There’s nothing quite like a fresh margarita, it’s one of my favorite cocktails. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and tart, with a touch of salt that always gets me at the first sip. 

4.50 from 18 votes

Print Recipe

Copy Cat El Bee's Margaritas

Only 3 ingredients make up our favorite El Bee's margaritas. Delicious, but beware, they pack a punch!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Course: Cocktails

Cuisine: American/ Mexican

Keyword: copy cat, Copy Cat El Bee's Margaritas, margarita recipes

Servings: 4 margaritas

Calories: 328kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Roses Lime Juice
• 1 cup Sauza Silver Tequila
• 1 cup Triple Sec
• ice
• margarita salt and limes for garnish optional

Instructions

• Fill a one quart pitcher with ice. Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice. Serve in a glass with a salted rim with a lime.

Notes

This recipe makes a one quart pitcher. If you want to make one drink, just use equal parts tequila and triple sec, 1/2 Rose's lime juice. You could try other tequilas, but to get it just right, use Sauza Silver.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

This recipe was originally posted on July 25, 2015. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on April 22, 2024.