Treat yourself to the smoothest, most luxurious margarita you’ll ever make at home—the Cadillac Margarita. While plenty of recipes rely on frozen limeade, sugary mixes, Cointreau, or a Grand Marnier float, our version keeps things simple and top-shelf—like any true Caddy should.
Cadillac Margaritas
This Cadillac Margarita (aka a Golden Margarita) is still one I come back to again and again, what restaurants would call a top-shelf margarita and typically what I order when we go to our favorite Mexican restaurant.
It’s simple, but using the right ingredients makes all the difference. A smooth Reposado tequila (aged in oak, giving it a golden hue) or a deeper Añejo tequila with Grand Marnier gives it that warm, citrusy finish that takes it way beyond a regular margarita.
I keep mine on the less sweet side, but if you like yours a little sweeter, just add a splash more simple syrup or agave. No mixes, no fuss—just real ingredients and great flavor. Make it how you like it—that’s the beauty of a good margarita, especially one this smooth.
Kathleen’s Expert Tips
After lots of mixing (and sipping); I have a few tips for you!
- ✅ Use large ice cubes for shaking—they chill the drink fast without watering it down, but then use crushed or nugget ice in the drink!! Crushing on this!
- ✅ Go for quality ingredients; I promise it will be unlike any margarita you’ve ever tried.
- ✅ Skip the triple sec and Cointreau spring for the Grand Marnier; I promise it’s so much better.
- ✅ Fresh-squeezed lime juice is non-negotiable—bottled just doesn’t deliver the same bright flavor. Trust me, it will give it an off taste.
- ✅ Rim your glass with flaky sea salt or Tajín—it adds flavor to every sip.
What is a Cadillac Margarita?
A Cadillac Margarita is a margarita on steroids – no bottled mix in sight. It’s not nearly as sweet as the pre-made versions and honestly, that’s what I love about it.
What makes it a “Cadillac” is all the upgrades: smooth, aged gold tequila (like Reposado or Añejo) instead of silver or blanco – and definitely not Jose Cuervo (don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and place… but this isn’t it 😉). Add Grand Marnier instead of triple sec or Cointreau, and those simple swaps give you a margarita that’s smoother, more balanced, and full of flavor.
Cadillac Margarita Recipe Ingredients
- Ice: This cocktail recipe calls for plenty of ice! I like to use large ice in the cocktail shaker and smaller nuggets or crushed ice in the glasses.
- Premium Tequila: Use a top-shelf tequila like blanco, reposado, or Añejo tequila a 100% agave tequila. The type of tequila you use will affect the flavor, so make sure to use the best tequila you can afford! Jose Cuervo Gold is not a top-shelf tequila. I prefer gold tequila for this recipe, but top-shelf silver such as Patron Silver also works beautifully.
- Grand Marnier: This cognac-based orange liqueur adds a deeper flavor than triple sec.
- Lime Juice: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice in margaritas! This adds a zingy, fresh flavor you can’t get from the bottled stuff.
- Simple Syrup: If preferred, use agave syrup and increase or decrease based on your taste buds!
- Salt: Use margarita salt, kosher salt, spicy salt, Tajin or flaky sea salt to rim the glasses.
- Garnish with a fresh lime wheel or an orange wedge if you like!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
Watch how to make a Cadillac Margarita
How to make a Cadillac Margarita
Step 1 – Prep the Glass
Choose an old-fashioned glass, a margarita glass, or your favorite. Then rim a glass with salt by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim and dipping it in salt. As shown below in my skinny Paloma mocktail.
Step 2 – Combine Ingredients
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and simple syrup. Or go super classic and reserve the Grand Marnier and pour over the finished cocktail as a float on top, beautiful and tasty!
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
Step 3 – Serve & Enjoy
Strain over fresh ice in the salt-rimmed glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge and a slice of orange, and enjoy!
Cadillac Margarita Pitcher Recipe
In a large pitcher, combine the following chilled ingredients and stir well.
- 12 oz high-quality Reposado or Añejo tequila
- 6 oz Grand Marnier
- 4 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice (2 ¼ oz)
- 1 – 4 tablespoons simple syrup or agave (optional, adjust to taste)
- Salt (or Tajín) for rimming glasses
- Lime wedges and/or orange slices for garnish
Chill until ready to serve or serve immediately over ice. Fill each glass with ice and pour the margarita mixture over the top.
Pro Tip: Keep the pitcher chilled, and add ice only to the glasses to avoid dilution. You can also double the lime juice if your crew loves it extra citrusy!
Pro Tip #2: Got leftovers? Pour any extra margarita into a freezer-safe container and pop it in the freezer. The alcohol keeps it from freezing solid, so you’ll end up with a perfectly slushy margarita. Just scoop it into a glass and enjoy straight from the freezer—kind of like my 4-ingredient frozen margaritas, but even easier!
Frozen or On the Rocks?
When I make these for friends, someone always asks, “Can I get mine frozen?” And the answer is—yes, you totally can! Just throw all the ingredients in a blender with about 1 cup of ice and blend until it’s smooth and slushy.
But honestly—I think this margarita is best on the rocks. The smooth tequila and Grand Marnier are so good that blending it with a bunch of ice can mute some of that “Cadillac” quality. Using premium ingredients speaks for itself.
But hey, you’re making it for you—so make it how you like it. Frozen or on the rocks, it’s still gonna be a good margarita.
What to serve with Cadillac Margaritas
Cadillac margaritas are delicious paired with any of your favorite Mexican-inspired dishes! For gatherings or parties (like your next Cinco de Mayo party), serve alongside appetizers like easy chicken quesadillas, freshly made guacamole and salsa with crispy tortilla chips or creamy cheddar jalapeño corn dip. When planning a full meal, pair them with chicken enchiladas, tacos filled with tender Instant Pot carnitas, or Mexican street corn rice bowls!
Cadillac Margarita FAQs
A Cadillac Margarita is considered a premium version of the classic margarita. The key difference is the use of Grand Marnier and top-shelf tequila.
A bitter margarita usually comes from using too much lime juice or low-quality tequila. If your margarita is bitter, add some additional simple syrup or agave nectar to balance the flavors!
Absolutely! But be warned, without simple syrup, it’s going to be tart! If you like a more tart drink, skip it or reduce the amount. You can also use a different sweetener instead of the simple syrup, such as agave syrup or honey. I find agave syrup mixes easier than honey.
Yes! To make a frozen Cadillac Margarita, blend the ingredients with 1 to 1½ cups of ice until smooth. Serve in a salt-rimmed glass and garnish as usual.
Variations & Substitutions
- Spicy Version: Include a slice of jalapeño or try using jalapeno simple syrup for a spicy Cadillac margarita.
- Smoky Alternative: Substitute mezcal for half the tequila to add smoky notes.
- Non-Alcoholic Option: Create a mocktail Cadillac margarita using fresh lime juice, orange juice, a splash of agave, and a dash of vanilla extract to mimic the aged tequila notes. Or purchase a quality non-alcoholic tequila.
- Add a splash of tangerine juice or sliced mandarin as your garnish.
How to Make a Pink Cadillac Margarita
Okay, be honest—you just started singing that song, didn’t you?! I did too! 😄
Making this a Pink Cadillac is super easy. Just swap the simple syrup for cranberry simple syrup, hibiscus syrup, or grenadine—all of them will give you that beautiful blush color and a touch of fruity sweetness.
Prefer to keep the original simple syrup? No problem. Add 1 ounce of cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, or a splash of grenadine to your shaker. It’s a fun way to mix things up without losing that signature Cadillac flavor.
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Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups Ice for the cocktail shaker and the glass (crushed or nuggets for glasses)
- 2 oz gold tequila Reposado or Añejo Tequila, high-quality Tequila blanco or gold
- 1 oz Grand Marnier
- 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice ¾ ounce
- ½ tablespoon simple syrup or more, based on desired sweetness or agave syrup
- Salt for rimming the glass Use kosher salt, flaky sea salt, Tajin or Margarita salt
- Lime or orange wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In shallow dish add some salt (kosher, flaky or spicy) or Tajin. Rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of a glass (old fashioned or margarita glass) and dipping it in salt.Salt for rimming the glass
- Fill a cocktail shaker with large ice cubes. Add tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and simple syrup.2 cups Ice, 2 oz gold tequila, 1 oz Grand Marnier, 1 ½ tablespoons fresh lime juice, ½ tablespoon simple syrup
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain over fresh ice in the salt-rimmed glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy!Lime or orange wheel for garnish
Notes
- Ice – I do large cubes in the cocktail shaker to prevent dilution. I like nugget ice in the glass, but you can do large cubes in the glass as well if you prefer.
- A high-quality tequila makes all the difference in a Cadillac Margarita! Reposado is aged 2–12 months and brings a smooth, slightly oaky flavor with hints of vanilla and caramel. Añejo is aged 1–3 years and adds even deeper oak, spice, and caramel notes for a richer taste.
- Grand Marnier is a premium French orange liqueur made with Cognac, giving it a richer, more complex citrus flavor than triple sec or Cointreau. It adds a velvety smoothness and slight sweetness that balances the acidity of the lime.
- Always use fresh limes, bottled lime juice won’t provide the same bright, zesty flavor.
- Simple syrup adds a touch of sweetness, but you can adjust this or omit it completely, depending on your preference.
- A classic salt rim enhances the sweet, sour, and citrus notes in the drink. I used Maldron flaky salt, but you can use coarse sea salt or a mix of salt and a pinch of sugar for balance.
- For extra flavor, try Tajín (chili-lime salt) or smoked salt.
Nutrition
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