IBA
Grand Margarita – IBA
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 23.8% ABV ∙
The Grand Margarita – IBA is a Margarita made with a cognac orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier, tequila blanco and lime, served over ice with a salt rim.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Rim the rock glass with good quality sea salt
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Tequila blanco 45 mlCognac orange liqueur (e.g., Grand Marnier) 30 mlLime juice 15 ml
- Strain into the ice-filled glass
- Garnish with a lime wheel
Tips
- This is almost all tequila and liqueur, so shake it hard on fresh ice for 12-15 seconds to take the edge off.
- Squeeze the lime fresh: those 15 ml are all the sourness there is against 75 ml of tequila and liqueur.
History
The Grand Margarita is a variation of the Margarita, whose own origin is disputed among several rival bartenders and bars across Mexico and the American Southwest, with claims dating as far back as the 1930s. The Grand Margarita follows the formula now codified as the Cadillac Margarita, with Grand Marnier in place of triple sec, a drink popularized by Southern California's El Torito restaurant chain, founded by Larry Cano. A 1983 menu shows a "Margarita Especial" combining triple sec with Grand Marnier, and by 1985 the chain's upgraded recipe came with a shot of Grand Marnier alongside.
The International Bartenders Association formally added the Grand Margarita to its official cocktail list in November 2024.
FAQ
What is in a Grand Margarita?
45 ml tequila blanco, 30 ml Grand Marnier (a cognac-based orange liqueur), and 15 ml lime juice. Grand Marnier in place of triple sec gives it more weight and a deeper orange-caramel flavor than a classic Margarita.
How do you make a Grand Margarita?
Rim an old-fashioned glass with sea salt and fill it with ice. Shake the tequila, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice hard with ice for 12–15 seconds, strain into the glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.
Is a Grand Margarita shaken or stirred?
Shaken. A hard shake chills the drink fast and mixes the lime with the tequila and Grand Marnier; stirring would leave it flat.
What glass is a Grand Margarita served in?
A salt-rimmed old-fashioned glass, over ice, garnished with a lime wheel.
What is a good substitute for Grand Marnier?
Cointreau or another triple sec is the most common substitute, though it makes a lighter, less caramel-rich drink than cognac-based Grand Marnier. Combier or a curaçao also works if you want a fuller, brandier orange note.
