Black Flannel Academy

Margarita

Agave · Fresh agave · Lime · Orange · Sour · Tart & refreshing · Tequila
Margarita cocktail
Photo: Ralf Roletschek · CC BY-SA 3.0. “15-09-26-RalfR-WLC-0247.jpg”. Resized for display.

Tequila character is framed by lime acidity and orange liqueur; optional salt changes the entry without replacing balance.

IBA published specification · 1 reference serve.

Glassware

Cocktail glass

Technique

Shake

Ice

None in serving glass

Garnish

Half salt rim (Optional)

Preparation effort

Moderate

Ingredients & measurements

Ingredient mL US fl oz Source measure / qualification
Tequila 100% Agave 50 1.69 50 ml Tequila 100% Agave
Triple Sec 20 0.68 20 ml Triple Sec
Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice 15 0.51 15 ml Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

Converted equivalents are rounded for display; use one measurement system consistently. Dashes, spoonfuls, fruit counts and unspecified top-ups remain source measures. A blank equivalent does not mean zero.

How to make it

Shake the measured ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.

Glass: Cocktail glass. Ice: None in serving glass. Garnish: Half salt rim (Optional).

Flavor & balance

  • Sour (Acidic) (dominant): Citrus contributes the principal tart edge; fruit ripeness and juice yield affect balance.
  • Sweet (supporting): Sweeteners, fruit or sweetened modifiers round the attack and add weight; product sugar varies.
  • Earthy / Herbal (supporting): Botanicals, fresh herbs or the base spirit give aromatic plant character; this is not a basic taste.

Assess sweetness, bitterness and tactile drying separately. These flavor expectations are based on recipe structure, not measured tasting scores. Actual products, ice and dilution will change the result.

Preparation & batching

Service complexity: moderate. Batchability: spirit components only.

  • Measure and label the chosen product specification; chill appropriate glassware.
  • Prepare and measure fresh fruit components for the service plan; do not assume a fruit count guarantees a juice volume.

Finish chilling, dilution and garnish at service. Trial the actual serving method before approving a batch. Workload is an editorial assessment; no labor timing or storage validation is claimed.

Spirit & ingredient choices

Style Role Evidence level Qualification
S003 — 100% Agave Blanco Tequila base qualified 100% agave is specified; blanco is the editorial reference choice, not a maturation requirement stated by this recipe.
S058 — Citrus Liqueur supporting documented Named ingredient fits this style family; confirm the chosen product identity.

Recipe notes & variations

For a Black Flannel variation, change one component at a time and record the selected product, proof, sweetener concentration and dilution. Compare it with this reference before naming or publishing the variation.

Compare: Grand Margarita, Paloma, Tommy’s Margarita, Spicy Margarita.

Sources & further reading

  • International Bartenders Association — checked 2026-09-18. Recipe identity and published ingredient specification; editorial sensory and workload assessments are not source tasting results.

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