• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Nerd Cooks
  • Recipe Index
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Me
  • A Nerd Travels
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Summer
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Summer
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
×
A Nerd Cooks » Cocktails » Margaritas

Cadillac Margarita

Apr 26, 2021 by Lauren Pacek · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I love it when you share my recipes!

361 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The Cadillac Margarita is sweet, sour, and made with top shelf liquor. It's like the margarita that you know and love, but just a little bit more delicious.

Looking for more margarita recipes? Try my Golden Margarita or Pomegranate Margarita!

three margaritas on a dark wooden background, a dish of lime wedges in the left rear
Jump to:
  • 🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • 💭 What is the difference between a margarita and a Cadillac Margarita?
  • 📝 Ingredients
  • 💭 What kind of tequila should you use in a Cadillac Margarita?
  • 💭 What kind of orange liqueur is best in a Cadillac Margarita?
  • 👩🏻‍🍳 How do you make a Cadillac Margarita?
  • 🇲🇽 What is Cinco de Mayo, really?
  • 🔗 More margarita recipes
  • ❓ FAQs
  • 🖤 Share your creations and follow me on social media!
  • ✨ Recipe
  • 📌 Pin this recipe for later!

🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe

These margaritas are delicious. Who doesn't love a margarita? They taste great!
They're easy to make. If you can shake a cocktail shaker, you can make this drink.
They're made with top shelf liquors. Good quality booze = a delicious drink.

💭 What is the difference between a margarita and a Cadillac Margarita?

Are you wondering why it's called a "Cadillac" Margarita? You're not alone! I had to Google it myself, if I'm being totally honest.

You know the saying that something is "the Cadillac" of something because it's top of the line? Like, say I got an awesome new air fryer. I might tell someone that "this air fryer is the Cadillac of air fryers" because it's so nice.

Well, this is called a Cadillac Margarita for similar reasons: it's made with top shelf liquor.

📝 Ingredients

Just a handful of very good ones. Check out the list and photo below.

ingredients for making cadillac margaritas
  • Kosher salt: Used for rimming the glass with salt.
  • Tequila: Reposado tequila is called for here.
  • Orange liqueur: Make sure to use something good like Grand Marnier or Cointreau (leave the cheap triple sec on the shelf for this one).
  • Lime juice: Freshly squeezed, please!
  • Lime wedges: For garnish.

💭 What kind of tequila should you use in a Cadillac Margarita?

A Cadillac Margarita calls for a reposado tequila. Reposado means "rested" in Spanish. Reposado tequilas rest in oak barrels for two months to one year before being bottled. Resting the tequila in this way allows it to take on a golden color as well as some flavor from the the oak barrels.

Basically, you want to use the best reposado tequila that you can reasonably afford.

💭 What kind of orange liqueur is best in a Cadillac Margarita?

Ideally, you will reach for some Grand Marnier: a cognac-based orange liqueur. Cointreau can also do in a pinch.

Please avoid using cheap, clear triple sec. This is the Cadillac of margs, after all.

👩🏻‍🍳 How do you make a Cadillac Margarita?

Though the ingredients for this drink differ a little from that of a regular margarita, the preparation remains the same.

You'll start by rimming your glass with coarse salt (I always use kosher) before filling that glass with ice. Next, shake the remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker until very cold and pour them over the ice. Last, garnish with a lime wedge. And there you have it.

hand squeezing a lime wedge into a margarita

🇲🇽 What is Cinco de Mayo, really?

While we're here and talking about margaritas, let's clear up some misconceptions about Cindo de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo translates to "the 5th of May" and is celebrated on, you guessed it, May 5th.

It's often mistaken for Mexico's Independence Day (actually celebrated on September 16th), but is really a commemoration of the Mexican army's victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The day is actually celebrated more widely in the United States than it is in Mexico! And, fun fact: According to Wikipedia, beer sales on Cinco de Mayo rival sales for the Super Bowl.

🔗 More margarita recipes

Are you in need of more margarita recipes? Because, girl. I got them.

Click on any of the photos below to be taken straight to the recipe.

  • two short glasses rimmed with sugar and salt, full of white christmas margarita.
    White Christmas Margarita
  • a black margarita in a halloween wine glass.
    Black Magic Margarita
  • two short glasses filled with blood orange margaritas
    Blood Orange Margarita
  • a pitcher of margaritas
    Margarita Pitcher Recipe
  • two glasses of italian margaritas, rimmed with sugar
    Italian Margarita
  • 45 degree angle view of 2 glasses of pineapple margaritas
    Pineapple Margarita
  • 2 golden margaritas on a pink and green tile background
    Golden Margarita
  • two glasses of cranberry margaritas
    Cranberry Margarita

❓ FAQs

What's the difference between a Cadillac Margarita and a regular margarita?

Cadillac Margaritas are made with top shelf liquor. Namely, reposado tequila and Grand Marnier.

What kind of tequila should I use?

Cadillac Margaritas are made with reposado tequila.

What kind of orange liqueur should I use?

Use Grand Marnier or Cointreau. Don't use triple sec.

🖤 Share your creations and follow me on social media!

✨ Recipe

three margaritas on a dark wooden background, a dish of lime wedges in the left rear

Cadillac Margaritas

Lauren Pacek
Cadillac Margaritas are made with top shelf liquor. They are like the margaritas that you know & love, but so much more delicious.
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Additional Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 2 minutes mins
Course Margaritas
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 1
Calories 229 kcal

Equipment

  • Cocktail jigger
  • Boston shaker
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Rocks glasses

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt for rimming glasses
  • 1.5 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 ounce reposado tequila
  • 1 ounce Grand Marnier or Cointreau orange liqueur
  • lime wedge for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Rim a rocks or margarita glass with kosher salt. Fill halfway with ice cubes. Set aside.
  • Add the lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold.
  • Pour the cocktail into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime wedge.

Notes

  • This cocktail calls for top shelf liquors. If you don't have them, you can always use something else, but then it won't be a Cadillac Margarita.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 2329mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 21IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.1mg

Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

📌 Pin this recipe for later!

pinterest pin for cadillac margaritas

More Delicious Margarita Recipes

  • Grilled Mezcal Margarita | A Nerd Cooks
    Mezcal Margaritas
  • Cara Cara Orange Margaritas | A Nerd Cooks
    Orange Margaritas
  • pomegranate margarita on a green background
    Pomegranate Margarita
  • three apple cider margaritas in stemless wine glasses on a wooden background.
    Apple Cider Margarita

I love it when you share my recipes!

361 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • Mix

Reader Interactions

4.80 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Lauren! I'm the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at A Nerd Cooks. I'm a 30-something wife, mom, and scientist with a passion for mixing cocktails, brewing buzzy coffee drinks, and making other delicious beverages at home.

More about me →

Spring and Summer Drink Recipes

  • two glasses of lavender lemonade garnished with lemon wheels and lavender sprigs
    Lavender Lemonade
  • a glass of strawberry lemonade vodka cocktail garnished with mint
    Strawberry Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
  • 45 degree angle view of 2 limoncello spritz cocktails and a bottle of prosecco
    Limoncello Spritz
  • almost head on shot of 2 glasses of peach iced tea
    Peach Iced Tea
  • two glasses of raspberry iced tea
    Raspberry Iced Tea
  • three coupe glasses on a white marble slab, glasses are filled with pink liquid and are garnished with a cucumber slice
    Strawberry Cucumber Gimlet

See More Spring and Summer Drink Recipes →

Popular Recipes

  • a small goblet full of luxardo cherries on a wooden tray
    Homemade Luxardo Cherries
  • Two tall glasses full of Limoncello Gin Collinses and a bottle of gin.
    Limoncello Gin Collins
  • a glass of cold brew coffee topped with vanilla sweet cream cold brew.
    How to Make Sweet Cream Cold Foam
  • a large bottle full of homemade sour mix.
    The Very Best Sweet and Sour Mix Recipe
  • two key lime pie crush cocktails with straws
    Key Lime Pie Crush
  • three shot glasses with green tea shots
    How to Make the Best Jameson Green Tea Shot Recipe

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About A Nerd Cooks
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 Foodie Pro on the Foodie Pro Theme

361 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.