We all have heard the name of the famous cocktail ‘margarita’. Margarita’s taste, texture, ingredients and varieties are what make it so much likeable and interesting. You might have heard of the ingredients used in the making of margarita, but will you get a grasp on What is triple sec in Margarita?
1. What is a Margarita?
With the confusion as to who invented this beautiful cocktail, we ended up getting one of the greatest cocktails in the world. The cocktail got its name from a flower. It can be enjoyed in so many forms and tastes, making it more fascinating. On the rocks, straight-up up and frozen margaritas, are the most famous ways a person like their margarita to be served.
The famed “Margarita glass” is used to serve the famed cocktail. These are so overly popular because it has a pinch of all four flavours which delights human taste buds. Salty, sweet, a little bitter and sour, all these combined make up a margarita.
With great taste comes great varieties of margaritas. Frozen margarita, pink margarita, Cadillac margarita, virgin margarita, grapefruit margarita and virgin margarita are some of the varieties served. Tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, salt, ice and lime wedges are used to make a margarita. There are some preferred tequila and triple sec used in the making to enhance the flavour to the maximum.
The alcohol content of a margarita mainly depends on the tequila and triple sec used in the margarita. The overall average alcohol content of a margarita ranges from 18% to 25%. You can improvise the drink as per your choice and preference. You can also opt for a non-alcoholic margarita as per the audience you are serving it to.
2. What is Margarita Made up of?
Now, that you know what is a margarita. You should know what this famous delicious cocktail made up of and learn about, what is triple sec in a margarita.
2.1. Tequila
Without tequila, a cocktail cannot be referred to as tequila. It was introduced in the 16th century in the city of Mexico. It is a distilled beverage made out of blue agave plant, and used in many cocktails and drinks. The alcohol amount of tequila is 38%-55%.
2.2. Orange Liqueur or Triple Sec
To answer your question, What is Triple Sec in Margarita? It is an orange-flavoured liqueur which was introduced in the 19th century in the beautiful country of France. Triple sec is almost consumed neat that is without diluting it, and is very often used in the making of various famous cocktails. Orange liqueur comes in many colours like blue, golden transparent or clear. Orange liqueur adds a tangy and sweet flavour to the margarita and makes it more attractive.
The alcohol by volume of orange liqueur is 20%-40%. As I said some quality liqueurs are used in the preparation, Grand Mariner is one of the most famous French Brand of liqueurs, and its highest-selling product is a Marnier Cordon Rouge, ‘Cointreau‘ the orange-flavored liqueur used highly in the making process, especially in margarita.
This is why orange liqueur is a game-changer in margaritas. Adding it adds up to the taste of the drink and makes it more desirable and intriguing. This orange-flavoured liqueur adds tangy and sweet flavours at the same time making it more feasible and good to use. This is what a triple sec is in a margarita, making it much more fine in taste.
Check Out: How much Alcohol is in a Margarita?
2.3. Fresh Lime Juice
Using limes in drinks is a very helpful manner to intake vitamins. Lime juice is known for its richness in antioxidants and is used to reduce diseases like heart disease and prevent kidney stones.
Using lime juice balances and escalates the flavours of the tequila in your drinks. Fresh lime juice kicks in the extra freshness and brings the flavour of the drink to an extra level. Adding a little sour and acidic flavour to the drink gives it an extra punch.
2.4. Ice
You can easily improvise the amount of ice that is added to your drink as per your preference. Crushed ice is usually used in the making process, and even in frozen margaritas. As the ice keeps melting it adds up the water level and cooling effect to your drink making it more freshening.
2.5. Salt and Lime Wedges
Lime wedges and salt both are used over the rim of a margarita glass. Salt is coated all over the rim of the glass and lime wedges are used as a garnishing and are also placed on the rim of the glass. The consumer can also squeeze the lime into the beverage to add more taste or keep it as a garnish as per their choice.
It is often suggested to lick the salt on the glass before drinking, as it helps cut the bitter and strong flavour of the tequila and also is used as a relief to the burning sensation.
3. The Use of Cocktail Shaker
A cocktail shaker is the most helpful device used in the making of cocktails or any other beverage by shaking and mixing things thoroughly. All the ingredients used to make margarita, tequila, triple sec, ice, and salt are put in the cocktail shaker and thoroughly shaken to mix all the ingredients carefully.
When ice is added to the cocktail shaker, it allows to quickly cool the drink before serving and also helps in mixing and blending in the ingredients. The Boston cocktail shaker is the most commonly used type of cocktail shaker set used by bartenders.
The cocktail shaker set includes the essentials required to prepare the drink as per the request. A spoon, jigger, cocktail shaker and a bar spoon. These are designed to thoroughly examine the measurements of the alcohol and mix them.
An average side shaker can make two or three drinks at once, depending on the volume of the shaker. This is why the use of cocktail shakers is essential in the making of the cocktails, without compromising on the taste as the final product depends on how well the ingredients are combined and mixed.
4. Lime Juice in Triple Sec Cocktails
Many margaritas in the world taste the best with the use of lime juice in them. Lime juice is what a drink needs when it is flavourless. Adding a sufficient amount of lime juice to your drinks keeps you on the toes with flavours and alcohol.
4.1. Sidecar
Made with combining orange liqueur, Cognac and fresh lime juice, the sidecar is an iconic drink. It is a special drink introduced by combining various other classic cocktails. Such as cosmopolitan margaritas and margaritas in various beautiful forms.
4.2. Cosmopolitan
This is one of the most classic drinks that is enjoyed by people all over the world. Its consumption is not restricted per the time, you can serve this cocktail in the beginning, middle and after the dinner. It is made up of vodka, orange liqueur, lime juice, cranberry juice and an orange peel which is used as a garnish. One of the most popular cocktails from the 60s which you can never go wrong with.
4.3. Mai Tai
This is a chic drink served in the summertime completing your summer dress and summer body and even the place you travel to. It is one of the most fruity drinks made with a strong rum, powerful tartness and topping off with a mild sweetness and citrus zing of lime juice.
4.4. White Lady
This mystery-looking cocktail is an upscale cocktail made with gin, grand mariner, fresh lime juice and an optional egg white. This is a frothy and delicate drink, and it is just perfect for post-meal celebrations where something refined is called for and preferred.
4.5. Pegu Club
Amazingly spooky and boozy yet an up-market drink. All you need is two dashes of orange bitters, lime juice, grand mariner, bulldog gin and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake it roughly and strain it, finishing it off with an optional lime wedge as a garnish and serving fresh. There you have a drink no one can turn down and will be delighted if they consume.
These are some of the cocktails from over the globe that use lime juice in the making and serve the best end product.
5. Over to You
So, now you finally know what and how margarita is made with the use of different ingredients focusing on triple sec. Triple sec is not only used in the making of a margarita but also in many other famous liqueurs.
Go and grab your margarita or another preferred margarita as you have at it fully. The taste might be new in the beginning and a bit strange but trust me once you start drinking these amazing cocktails there is no going back.
Also keep in mind that you do not get addicted to these drinks, which many people tend to do. Anything in the right amount and quantity can never harm you. The control relies on your hands. So go enjoy your margarita and make sure you do not cut back on witnessing the making of it.
