Take Your Margarita to the Top Shelf. There's a reason that when you think Mexican food, the first cocktail that comes to mind is the margarita. The citrus and sweet character is a timeless match with spicy, salty, saucy Mexican cuisine. If you're looking to impress, these two tips will help you make the perfect, crowd-pleasing margarita:

Better Ingredients Make a Better Margarita. Start with tequila you actually like, and build from there. Also, try an orange liqueur with a brandy base, to give your drink a layer of complexity beyond the sweet orange of less expensive triple sec.

Use Fresh Lime Juice. Sure, margarita mix is an easy solution just add tequila, right? But all that sugar tends to overpower most other flavors from the tequila in your drink to the flavor of the food, too. Not to mention the extra calories! Fresh fruit juice and a good orange liqueur offer just enough sweetness for a fresh and balanced cocktail.

Classic Margarita

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Teremana Reposado Tequila
• 1 oz Gran Gala Triple Orange Liquor
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• Lime Wedge

SIMPLE STEPS:

Mix ingredients in a rocks glass over ice, garnish with a lime wedge. For a good time, double the recipe and serve in a mason jar over ice.

"Taco Night" Spicy Margarita

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Clark & Sheffield Blanco Tequila
• 1/4 oz Gran Gala Triple Orange Liquor
• 1 1/2 oz Mango Puree
• Juice of 1/2 Lime
• Lime Wedge
• Fresh Jalepeno Slice
• 2-3 Sprigs of Cilantro

SIMPLE STEPS:

Mix ingredients in a rocks glass over ice, garnish with lime wedge, cilantro, and jalepeno slice.