Texas Margarita Recipe with Grand Marnier

texas margarita with grand marnier in rocks glass with orange and lime

Bright citrus notes, quality tequila, and a hint of orange liqueur come together in the Texas Margarita—a classic with a Lone Star twist. This recipe stands out thanks to the generous splash of Grand Marnier, offering deeper flavor and a more luxurious finish than standard triple sec.

What Makes a Texas Margarita Different?

The essential Texas Margarita swaps out regular orange liqueur for Grand Marnier, delivering complexity and subtle richness. Many Texas versions also incorporate fresh orange juice along with traditional lime, making the cocktail brighter, fruitier, and more approachable. Some bars even play with smoked salt or agave-forward tequilas, but the core DNA is unmistakable: robust, balanced, and a bit bolder than the original.

Classic Texas Margarita Recipe with Grand Marnier

60 ml blanco tequila (good quality, 100% agave)
22.5 ml Grand Marnier
30 ml fresh lime juice
15 ml fresh orange juice
10 ml simple syrup (or agave syrup, optional for sweetness)
Coarse salt (for rim)
Lime or orange wedge (for garnish)

Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass, then dip in coarse salt to coat the edge.
Fill the glass with fresh ice.
Add tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, orange juice, and syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
Shake hard for 12–15 seconds.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish with a wedge of lime or orange.

A Quick History of the Texas Margarita

Margarita lore is famously hazy, but the Texas Margarita’s distinct upgrade can be traced to bar programs seeking to stand out from the classic recipe. By using Grand Marnier instead of the more neutral triple sec, bartenders found a way to impart toasted orange and Cognac notes. This made the Texas Margarita a sought-after specialty at Southwestern and Tex-Mex restaurants since the late 20th century. Fresh orange juice, often available from local groves, became another staple—reinforcing Texas’ love for bold, sunny flavors and big citrus.

lime and orange on cutting board beside tequila and grand marnier bottles

Popular Texas Margarita Variations

Frozen Texas Margarita: Blend the recipe above with a scoop of ice for a slushy, intensely cooling drink—crucial for Texas summers.
Texas Margarita Pitcher: Multiply each ingredient by four for a crowd. Mix in a pitcher (no ice), and pour over ice to serve.
Spicy Texas Margarita: Muddle slices of fresh jalapeño before shaking, and garnish with a chili wheel for extra kick.
Top-Shelf Texas Margarita: Substitute reposado tequila for extra depth, and use agave nectar instead of simple syrup for a silkier finish.

Choosing the Right Ingredients for the Best Texas Margarita

Balance is everything with a texas margarita recipe with grand marnier. Here’s what to prioritize:

Blanco tequila provides clean agave flavor, but for richer cocktails, try a lightly aged reposado.
Always squeeze limes and oranges fresh; bottled juices deliver a duller drink.
Grand Marnier’s Cognac base makes it richer than Cointreau or triple sec—if you want a leaner drink, dial back to 15 ml or split with another orange liqueur.
Salt enhances the flavor, but smoky salts (like Maldon or chipotle smoked) give more complexity.
Adjust syrup to taste: Start with less, add more for extra sweetness, and taste before serving.

texas margarita variations in rocks glasses with garnishes