As one of the world’s most popular cocktails, there are a number of ways people can enjoy their Margaritas. From the classic build to endless fruit-flavored and spicy variations, there truly is a Marg for everyone.
When it comes to what actually qualifies as a Margarita, there are technically three mandatory ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, an orange liqueur. But what if you don’t have any triple sec on hand?
To find out more about triple sec’s role in the Margarita — along with what can be used as a substitute — we tapped Janice Bailon, head bartender at Brooklyn’s pan-Latin-inspired cocktail bar, Leyenda, for details.
Is triple sec needed for Margaritas?
To balance the cocktail’s acidity, triple sec is absolutely necessary for traditional Margaritas, according to Bailon.
“Without triple sec, we fall into a different cocktail category, which is the sour,” she explains. That’s why she argues that the well-known Tommy’s Margarita isn’t necessarily a Margarita at all, as its build swaps out triple sec in favor of agave nectar.
“I love a Tommy’s variation, and I love the intention of it to be agave-forward, but the categorial makeup of [that] cocktail lies within the sours family.” For this reason, Bailon refers to her Tommy’s Margaritas as simply “The Tommy’s.”
Triple sec, though, is necessary for more reasons than just recipe’s sake. Traditionally, orange has always been a classic pairing for any agave-based spirit, providing a sweeter complement without overpowering the notes of the agave. In Margaritas,
