Margarita meets marmalade

This breakfast margarita swaps simple syrup for orange marmalade, adding a deeper, slightly bitter orange flavor that regular orange juice can't match.

“It's never too early for tequila when you are sipping a breakfast margarita.”

Why marmalade works

Jams and marmalades dissolve in the shaker and make cocktails not just sweeter but fruitier than simple syrup, creating a more complex flavor profile.

Salt balances sweetness

A salted rim balances the marmalade's sweetness and gives every sip savory contrast. Coarse kosher salt or margarita salt blend both work well.

Lime wedge preps the glass

Running a lime wedge around the glass gives the salt something to stick to and adds a faint citrus scent to every sip before it even hits your lips.

Choose blanco tequila

Blanco, or silver, tequila is unaged and keeps its bright, peppery agave flavor front and center. Save aged reposado or añejo for sipping neat.

Triple sec adds polish

This orange-flavored liqueur adds a clean, slightly sweet citrus note that rounds out the tequila. Cointreau is a great upgrade for a more polished flavor.

Fresh lime juice matters

Fresh lime juice is what separates a great margarita from a mediocre one. Bottled juice isn't quite as tangy, but it works in a pinch.

“Fresh lime juice is what separates a great margarita from a mediocre one.”

Salt the rim halfway

Salting only half the rim gives you and your guests the option to sip with or without salt, an easy way to please everyone at the table.

Shake hard and long

Shake for fifteen to twenty seconds until frost forms on the shaker. Marmalade is thicker than simple syrup, so it needs extra agitation to fully break down.

Adjust sweetness to taste

Start with one tablespoon of marmalade, taste, and add a second tablespoon only if you want more sweetness. Marmalade brands vary in sugar content.

Make it ahead, shake fresh

Combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice and marmalade ahead and store in the fridge. Shake with fresh ice right before serving to avoid dilution.

Try other jams and variations

Any citrus marmalade, apricot, or peach preserves work as substitutes. Scale up for a crowd or top with club soda for a lighter, fizzier version.