A Clooney margarita is a refreshing tequila cocktail that rose to fame after actor George Clooney shared his special recipe. This margarita variation features high-quality tequila along with fresh lime juice and agave nectar for a smooth, slightly sweet flavor profile. Keep reading to learn all about the history, ingredients, and best practices for making a delicious Clooney margarita at home.
The Origins of the Clooney Margarita
The Clooney margarita traces its origins to one fateful night in July 2009. George Clooney was celebrating the wrap of the film “Up in the Air” at a bar in Detroit, Michigan. According to legend, Clooney ordered his favorite margarita but found it wasn’t made to his liking. Ever the gentleman, Clooney politely asked the bartender if he could go behind the bar and whip up his special margarita recipe for his friends.
The bartender agreed, and Clooney proceeded to mix up margaritas with fresh lime juice and agave nectar instead of the usual sour mix. His friends loved the margaritas, which had a cleaner, smoother taste compared to a standard bar margarita. Word quickly spread about Clooney’s custom margarita recipe. Within days, bars across the country were advertising the “Clooney margarita” on their menus.
Clooney later shared his exact margarita recipe in a 2010 issue of Esquire magazine. He emphasized the importance of using 100% agave tequila and fresh lime juice for the best flavor. While you can riff on the basic recipe, these two ingredients are essential to achieve the drink’s signature balance of sweet and tart.
Clooney Margarita Ingredients
At its core, a Clooney margarita contains just three main ingredients:
- High-quality 100% agave tequila
- Fresh lime juice
- Agave nectar
Here are some more details on these key ingredients:
Tequila
The tequila is arguably the most important component of a Clooney margarita. As George Clooney himself specified, you need to use 100% agave tequila – not the lower quality mixto stuff. 100% agave tequila is made only from the blue agave plant, while cheaper mixto tequilas use other sugars. Here are some recommended brands:
- Espolòn
- Casamigos
- Patròn
- Cazadores
Avoid gold or aged tequilas, which can overpower the other flavors. Instead opt for a good quality blanco or silver tequila.
Fresh Lime Juice
Freshly squeezed lime juice is another fundamental part of a Clooney margarita. Bottled lime juice just can’t compare to the bright, tart flavor of fresh squeezed limes. To get about 1 ounce of lime juice, you’ll need approximately:
- 2 small limes
- 1 large lime
Make sure to juice the limes right before making your margaritas for maximum freshness. If you only have bottled lime juice, add it in moderation since it tends to be more concentrated.
Agave Nectar
Agave nectar is the signature sweetener in a Clooney margarita. It has a more neutral flavor compared to traditional simple syrup or citrus juices. Agave nectar also contains inulin, a type of fiber that may offer health benefits. You can find agave nectar at most grocery stores – just stick to the light or amber varieties.
How to Make a Clooney Margarita
Now that you understand the origins and ingredients, let’s walk through the complete Clooney margarita recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces high-quality 100% agave tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce agave nectar
- Lime wedge for garnish
Directions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar to shaker.
- Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled margarita glass or rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
For an extra smooth and frothy texture, consider shaking the margarita again without ice after straining into the glass.
Serving Tips
Here are some final tips for serving up the perfect Clooney margarita:
- Chill glasses in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before use.
- Use coarse salt or sugar to rim glasses before pouring margaritas (optional).
- Serve margaritas immediately after shaking – they will start to dilute quickly.
- Provide wedges of fresh lime to squeeze over margaritas before drinking.
- Keep bottles of high-quality agave tequila and Cointreau on hand for easy mixing.
Clooney Margarita Variations
Once you master the original recipe, there are plenty of ways to riff on the Clooney margarita by tweaking ingredients or presentation style.
Fruit Margaritas
For a fruit-flavored twist, blend in any of the following:
- Sliced strawberries or mango
- Pineapple juice
- Watermelon cubes
- Raspberries
- Blackberries
Go light on the fruit – around 1/4 cup max for a single margarita. The fruit should complement the lime and tequila without overpowering.
Spicy Margaritas
For some heat, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or fresh jalapeño to your margarita:
- Dash of Sriracha, Cholula, or other hot sauce
- Thinly sliced jalapeño
- Smoked chili powder rim
Start with just a few drops of hot sauce or a small slice of jalapeño so the heat enhances without overwhelming the other flavors.
Skinny Margaritas
To lighten up your margarita, try these modifications:
- Use sparkling water instead of orange liqueur
- Lower calorie agave nectar
- Club soda
- Grapefruit juice
- Cucumber slices
Cutting back on sugary ingredients allows the clean tequila and lime flavors to shine through.
Frozen Margaritas
For the full frozen margarita experience:
- Blend margarita ingredients with 1 cup ice.
- Serve in a salt-rimmed glass.
- Garnish with lime wedge.
Add extra ice to your blender as needed to achieve a smooth, frozen consistency.
Pro Tips for Making Margaritas
Check out these additional professional tips for making stellar margaritas every time:
- Shake with ice for at least 10-15 seconds to fully chill and dilute ingredients.
- Wet the rim of the glass before dipping in salt or sugar to help it adhere.
- Start with less agave nectar, then add to taste – you can always add more!
- Make a large batch for parties, then pour into individual glasses to serve.
- Infuse your tequila with fruit or herbs for extra flavor.
- Look for 100% agave tequila that specifies the region it came from.
- Substitute mezcal for smoky depth without overpowering aroma.
- Splash in a few drops of citrus extracts like lemon, lime, or orange.
- Pair citrus-based margaritas with citrusy cervezas like Modelo or Pacifico.
Best Brands of Tequila for Margaritas
Not all tequila is created equal. When making margaritas, be sure to use 100% agave tequila for the cleanest flavor. Here are some of the top tequila brands perfectly suited for margaritas:
| Brand | Style | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casamigos | Blanco | Highland | $$$ |
| Cazadores | Reposado | Lowland | $$ |
| Clase Azul | Añejo | Highland | $$$$ |
| Don Julio | Blanco | Highland | $$$ |
| Espolòn | Blanco | Lowland | $ |
| Patròn | Silver | Highland | $$$ |
As you can see, tequilas made in the highland region tend to be higher priced, while lowland tequilas are very affordable. Blanco and silver tequilas are ideal for margaritas since they let the fresh citrus flavors shine through.
Calories and Nutrition
Margaritas aren’t exactly a low calorie cocktail, but you can still enjoy them in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle. Here’s the nutrition breakdown for a standard 2-ounce Clooney margarita:
- Calories: 150
- Carbs: 13g
- Sugar: 10g
- Fat: 0g
- Protein: 0g
The majority of calories come from the agave nectar sweetener. To lighten things up, use diet citrus soda instead of the standard orange liqueur. With some simple tweaks, you can enjoy these refreshing drinks guilt-free.
Clooney Margarita FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making the perfect Clooney margarita:
Can I make a margarita without Cointreau or triple sec?
Absolutely! The orange liqueur is optional. For a more pure lime-tequila flavor, simply omit it from the recipe.
What is the best tequila for margaritas?
Look for 100% agave blanco or silver tequilas. Popular brands like Cazadores, Patròn, and Casamigos work well in margaritas.
How long does a margarita last?
Margaritas are best consumed immediately after mixing. The flavor begins deteriorating after a few hours as the ice melts and ingredients dilute.
Can you freeze margarita mix?
It’s best to freeze just the base alcohol and citrus, then add ice and sweetener right before blending. This prevents dilution and a watered-down taste.
What is a skinny margarita?
A skinny margarita contains lower sugar ingredients like sugar-free orange liqueur or soda water to cut calories. They have a lighter, more refreshing flavor.
What is the difference between agave nectar and simple syrup in margaritas?
Agave nectar has a more neutral flavor, while simple syrup tastes distinctly sweet. Agave also contains beneficial compounds like inulin that may promote gut health.
Can you make margaritas without a blender?
Yes! Just combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into glasses. Add fresh ice cubes to prevent dilution.
Conclusion
The Clooney margarita puts a refined twist on the classic cocktail. By using quality ingredients like fresh lime juice and 100% agave tequila, you can achieve a balanced sweet and tart flavor. Experiment with fruit purées or spice rims to make the drink your own. Sip your margarita immediately after mixing for optimum enjoyment. The next time you crave a Mexican cocktail, reach for a refreshing Clooney margarita.