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This recipe makes the best margarita salt rim! This zesty garnish makes any cocktail a masterpiece. Here’s how to make it!
Looking to amp up your margaritas? This margarita salt is the best way to transform your glass from meh to marvelous. It’s seriously simple, too! I made it as part of a frozen margarita recipe, but realized that it would be perfect for any cocktail with a salt rim.
From now on, I’ll be adding it to my classic margarita recipe, all my top flavored margarita recipes — and maybe even the Paloma, too. Here’s what you need to know!
What is margarita salt?
Margarita salt is the salt added to the rim of a margarita glass. Why is a margarita served with salt? Salt intensifies the sweet and sour flavors in the drink. It makes the sour flavor seem brighter, making the overall drink experience much more pleasurable.
There are lots of store-bought brands out there, but why buy your own when you can make it at home? It’s seriously easy to make, and you don’t end up with half-used containers lying around.
How to make margarita salt
This recipe could not be simpler (literally). Some recipes will call for drying out the citrus zest in the oven or doing other fancy things. In my testing, I found it’s unnecessary—it is really this simple. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Zest your lime and orange using a microplane grater or box grater.
Step 2: Place 2 tablespoons kosher salt, the zest of 1 lime, and zest of ½ orange on a cutting board. Crush them together using a rolling pin.
Storage tip
Store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Getting the perfect margarita salt rim
Here are my tips for making the perfect rim:
- Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer.
- Take a lime wedge and cut a notch in the middle, then slide it around the rim of the glass. This moistens the glass rim without having to use your fingers!
- Tilt the glass so that only the outside edge goes into the salt, then rotate it so that it coats the edge. You’ll want the salt on the outside of the glass only, not the inside, where it can fall into the drink. Shake off any loose salt into the sink.
What kind of salt is best to use for this recipe?
The best type of salt for a margarita is kosher salt, which has coarse grains and a nuanced flavor. Sea salt also works! Avoid using iodized table salt, since the flavor and texture are much too intense for rimming drinks.
My favorite margarita recipes
This recipe works great with all types of margarita recipes, from a classic margarita to a Cadillac margarita, frozen margarita, jalapeno margarita, and even a virgin margarita! It also works with fruity variations like a strawberry margarita, a mango margarita, and more.
Dietary notes
This recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.
Frequently asked questions
Run a lime wedge around the rim of your margarita glass to moisten it.
Dip the rim of the glass upside down into a shallow plate filled with your chosen margarita salt.
Gently press the rim onto the salt to ensure it adheres evenly.
The salt adds a salty counterpoint to the sweet and sour flavors of the margarita, enhancing the overall taste experience. It also adds a festive touch to the drink.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Best Margarita Salt Recipe
This recipe makes the best margarita salt rim! This zesty garnish makes any cocktail a masterpiece. Here’s how to make it!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ¼ cup 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: American
Instructions
- Zest the lime. Zest the orange.
- Place all ingredients on a cutting board and crush them together using a rolling pin. Break any large pieces of zest with your fingers.
- Store in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
Yum! This was really good. I sprinkled some of this over a shrimp appetizer with tequila and lime. It was perfect. Thanks for sharing.
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Yummy and easy! This took my store bought margaritas to the next level.