How to Make a Tommy’s Margarita Cocktail
A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting the Ultimate Serve.
A purist's take on the world's most-loved tequila cocktail, the Tommy's Margarita strips the classic back to its essentials, and proves that less really can be more. Where a traditional Margarita leans on Cointreau for its citrus sweetness, this version swaps it out entirely in favour of agave syrup, letting a good Reposado tequila take centre stage. The result is cleaner, more spirit-forward, and arguably more honest to what a Margarita should taste like. Sharp and utterly moreish, this is the serve for anyone who takes their tequila seriously.
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Base Spirit: Tequila Reposado
Flavour Profile: Spirit-forward, citrusy, clean, balanced
Glassware: Rocks Glass (served over ice)
Occasion: Garden Parties, Dinner Parties, Summer Parties, Tequila Tastings
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Ingredients:
40ml Tequila Blanco
20ml Cointreau
25ml Fresh Lime Juice
10ml Simple Syrup
Salt (for the rim, optional)
Lime Wheel (garnish)
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How to make:
If salting the rim, run a lime wedge around the edge of a rocks glass and dip into salt before adding ice.
Fill the rocks glass with ice and set aside.
Add the Reposado tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave syrup into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake hard for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.
Strain into the prepared rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wheel.
Serve immediately.
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Allergens:
N/A
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Story behind the Serve
The Tommy's Margarita was created in the early 1990s by Julio Bermejo at his family's restaurant, Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, widely regarded as one of the most influential moments in modern tequila culture. At the time, most Margaritas leaned heavily on cheap mixers and triple sec to mask lower-quality tequila. Bermejo stripped the recipe back, removing the orange liqueur entirely and replacing it with agave syrup, which allowed a genuinely good Reposado tequila to shine through. The result became a benchmark for tequila purists worldwide, and is widely credited with helping to elevate tequila's reputation from party shot to serious sipping spirit.
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Take a look at other delicious margarita riffs here:
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Planning an Event in Sussex?
Whether you’re hosting a spring / summer garden party in Hove, an upbeat corporate event in Brighton, or a sophisticated tequila tasting in the South Downs, we bring bespoke cocktail experiences to you.
Loved this one? Try our Passionfruit Margarita next, perfect for your next private event.
Want the full lineup? Browse our Tequila & Mezcal Cocktails for more inspiration.
Ready to bring it to your event? Enquire about Private Events across Brighton, Hove & Sussex.
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