Ina Garten's Extra Step Will Change Your Margaritas Forever

When it comes to crafting cocktails, Ina Garten, the beloved Barefoot Contessa, knows a thing or two about perfection — and her approach to margaritas is no exception. With a technique that results in a refreshing and flawless drink every time, Garten's two-part tip is actually quite simple. 

In her Real Margaritas recipe, which she shared with Food Network, Garten recommends blending all the ingredients together with ice before shaking the margaritas with more ice, straining, and serving. It's this use of ice in two ways that make Garten's margaritas so perfect. Blending the ingredients creates a smooth and consistent base for your margarita, ensuring each sip delivers a harmonious blend of flavors, and the addition of ice when blending mellows the harsher notes, such as sharp citrus or overpowering tequila.

Apart from the addition of ice to the ingredients, shaking the margarita with additional frozen cubes provides two key benefits for the cocktail.

Shaking the blended margaritas with more ice helps to properly chill the drink mixture without further diluting the cocktail with more ice. This also keeps the flavors balanced within the drink. But achieving the optimal temperature is not the only advantage of chilling the cocktail with a shaker. Using the shaker before serving the margaritas also helps to aerate the cocktail. This means more oxygen is incorporated into the drink, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Clearly, Garten's approach to making margaritas is a testament to her expertise in creating the perfect cocktail. With her unusual technique, she achieves a margarita that is undeniably exceptional. So, the next time you're craving a margarita, take a page from Garten's book, follow her tips, and enjoy a perfectly balanced and utterly delicious cocktail that will impress and delight your guests.