Cadillac Margarita

Step up your margarita game with the Cadillac Margarita! It uses top-shelf tequila and Grand Marnier liqueur for a smooth,…

Step up your margarita game with the Cadillac Margarita! It uses top-shelf tequila and Grand Marnier liqueur for a smooth, sophisticated twist.

Cadillac margarita in margarita glass with salt rim.

Want a sophisticated spin on the margarita? When we have friends over and want to step it up a notch, we pull out the Cadillac! It’s of our favorite spins on this classic tequila cocktail using top quality tequila and Grand Marnier. It has a smooth, nuanced flavor that makes everyone say, “Wow! What’s in this?”

Why we love a Cadillac margarita: As two cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes in our library and 25+ margarita recipes under our belt, the Cadillac is a tried and true favorite! The pop of citrus against the bitter orange, vanilla and oak notes in the Grand Marnier gets us every time. It’s a great way to step up your cocktail game with very little effort.

Ingredients in a Cadillac margarita

A Cadillac margarita is a version of the classic margarita using premium ingredients: best quality tequila and orange liqueur, with Grand Marnier floated onto the top of the drink. This luxurious spin on the classic is believed to have gained mainstream popularity in the 1980s in Southern California restaurant chains. Adding the nuanced, sophisticated Grand Marnier flavor takes this drink over the top. Here are the ingredients you’ll use:

  • Grand Marnier
  • Best quality tequila, reposado if possible
  • Cointreau
  • Lime juice

You’ll pour the Grand Marnier right onto the other ingredients so that it floats on top (though it gradually sinks to the bottom over time). If you prefer a margarita on the sweeter side, you can add a hint of simple syrup or agave nectar. But we like it without added sweetener: the drink comes out perfectly balanced and the smooth, citrusy flavor makes it irresistible.

What’s Grand Marnier?

Grand Marnier is a French brandy liqueur made with Cognac, bitter orange, and sugar. The bottle you’ll most often see is called Cordon Rouge, the Grand Marnier brand’s most popular product. What does Grand Marnier taste like? You’ll taste bitter orange and brandy first, then the sip finishes with notes of vanilla and oak.

Grand Marnier bottle with Cadillac margarita.

Best tequila for a Cadillac margarita

Many margarita recipes use tequila blanco (unaged or “new” tequila). For the Cadillac margarita, we like it best with a tequila reposado (aged). We like how it gives the drink even more layers of flavor with notes of caramel, honey and vanilla.

  • Look for a mid-priced tequila. Try 750 ml bottles in the range of $22 to $35.
  • Tequila reposado (aged) makes a smooth, sophisticated margarita. It’s aged 2 to 12 months in oak barrels and has notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Some brands we like are Casamigos, Milagro Reposado, and Suerte Reposado.
  • Tequila blanco also works. It has a straightforward agave-centric flavor and spicy finish. Some brands we like are Espolon Blanco, El Tesoro Blanco, Patrón Silver, and Casamigos.

How to make a Cadillac margarita: step by step

The Cadillac Margarita is comes together simply by shaking up a few ingredients, then floating the Grand Marnier over the top.

  • Step 1: Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of flaky sea salt (or margarita salt).
  • Step 2: Place 1 ½ oz tequila, 1 oz Cointreau and 1 oz lime juice in a cocktail shaker, add 4 ice cubes, and shake until cold.
  • Step: Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Then carefully pour 1 oz Grand Marnier onto the top of the drink over an inverted spoon. Serve immediately, straight up in a margarita glass or on the rocks in a lowball glass with clear ice.
Cadillac Margarita with Grand Marnier bottle.

Rim variations: salt, Tajín, and more!

🌶 You can use simple kosher salt for the rim or step it up with colorful margarita salt with lime and orange zest. Or, try a Tajín rim: it’s a Mexican seasoning blend of chili peppers, lime, and salt that adds a burst of tangy, spicy flavor.

A few more great cocktails

This Cadillac Margarita is a hands-down classic! Here are a few more of our refreshing cocktail recipes you might also enjoy:

  • A Classic Mojito is perfectly balanced with lime, rum and fresh mint! This iconic Cuban cocktail is refreshing and just sweet enough.
  • The Paloma is relative of the classic margarita, this easy Mexican cocktail starring grapefruit instead of lime.
  • Here are the keys to the very best Gin and Tonic, the most refreshing 2-ingredient cocktail!

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between a regular margarita and a Cadillac margarita?

A classic margarita uses tequila, lime juice, and sweetener, while a Cadillac margarita adds a splash of luxury with Grand Marnier, a French orange liqueur. This gives the Cadillac margarita a smoother, more complex flavor profile. Some Cadillac margaritas also use a premium tequila or a tequila reposado.

What type of tequila should I use for a Cadillac margarita?

For the best results, use a premium reposado tequila. This aged tequila has a smoother flavor that complements the Grand Marnier without overpowering it.

My Cadillac margarita is not sweet enough! How can I adjust it?

You can add a hint of simple syrup or agave nectar, to taste.

What’s the best way to rim a glass for a Cadillac margarita?

Simple kosher salt works well, or try mixing it up with margarita salt, a chili lime salt rim for a spicy kick, or a Tajín rim.

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Cadillac margarita

Cadillac Margarita


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1

Description

Step up your margarita game with the Cadillac Margarita: it uses top-shelf tequila and Grand Marnier liqueur to add sophistication and style!


Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces best quality tequila reposado
  • 1 ounce Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce Grand Marnier
  • Kosher salt or flaky sea salt, for the rim
  • For the garnish: lime wedge

Instructions

  1. Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of flaky sea salt (or for a festive look, use our Margarita Salt).
  2. Place tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir until cold.
  3. Strain the margarita into the glass with the salted rim. Then carefully pour the Grand Marnier onto the top of the drink over an inverted spoon (it will float on top, then gradually sinks to the bottom over time). Serve straight up in a margarita glass or on the rocks in a lowball glass with clear ice, garnished with a lime wedge.

Notes

To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

Sweet variation: If you prefer a margarita on the sweeter side, add a hint of simple syrup or agave nectar, to taste (start with 1 teaspoon).

Rim variations: Try margarita salt, a chili lime salt rim for a spicy kick, or a Tajín rim.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: Cocktail

Keywords: Cadillac Margarita, Cadillac margarita recipe

Mai Tai

Here’s how to make the original Mai Tai recipe! Gather the ingredients for this tropical rum drink that’s as complex…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Here’s how to make the original Mai Tai recipe! Gather the ingredients for this tropical rum drink that’s as complex as it is fruity.

Mai Tai Recipe

The Mai Tai might sound like a simple fruity resort drink, but it’s anything but! No, this drink is a classic cocktail from the 1940’s that’s been (cough) ruined by saccharine sweet versions. How to make a real Mai Tai? The rum cocktail is breathtakingly complex, featuring aged rum, orange liqueur, and almond syrup for nutty and vanilla notes against sharp citrus. Float a little dark rum on top, and you get to the core of a Mai Tai: it’s sophisticated, nuanced, and might we say…extraordinarily special.

What’s a Mai Tai?

The most widely accepted origin story of the Mai Tai is that the cocktail was invented in 1944 at Trader Vic’s restaurant in Oakland, California. It became very popular in the 1950’s and 60’s, especially at tiki restaurants. (And since Tiki culture is built on appropriation, we won’t exalt the virtues of that phenomenon.)

Full disclosure: we weren’t fans of this drink until we tasted the classic version! The Mai Tai cocktail in its original form just makes sense. It’s tropical, nutty, boozy and zingy: and it’s nothing like the adult fruit juice you might be expecting. (I ordered a Mai tai at a bar recently and it tasted like a Hawaiian punch juice box.)

Mai tai ingredients

Mai Tai ingredients

What’s in the original Mai Tai? Despite what you might think, there’s no pineapple juice! There’s actually no fruit juice, other than lime juice. The classic Mai Tai cocktail is on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning that it has an “official” definition. The ingredients in a Mai Tai drink are:

  • Aged rum (also called golden, amber or anejo)
  • Orange liqueur: either curaçao, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • Lime juice
  • Orgeat syrup
  • Simple syrup (optional)
  • Dark rum

The classic Mai Tai ingredients also often include simple syrup. Using a hint of simple syrup accentuates the flavor for a fruity, sweet tart Mai Tai. Omit the simple syrup and it makes a more boozy, spirit-forward drink. I prefer adding simple syrup for the flavor of that classic tropical drink, but Alex prefers the boozier version. Try it both ways and find your favorite!

Mai Tai Ingredients

What is orgeat syrup?

You may have noticed cocktails at bars that include the ingredient orgeat syrup. What is it, and is it absolutely necessary for a Mai Tai?

  • Orgeat syrup is a non-alcoholic almond syrup used for sweetening cocktails. It has a distinctive nutty flavor with a hint of citrus that’s hard to replicate.
  • How do you pronounce orgeat? Say Or-ZHAAT, where the “ZH” is like the J in the name Jacque.
  • What is a substitute for orgeat syrup? There is no substitute for the unique nutty citrus flavor. A Mai Tai without orgeat syrup just doesn’t work. It’s a tasty drink: just not a real Mai Tai.
  • How much does orgeat syrup cost? You can grab a bottle for about $10. It’s easy to find online: here’s the orgeat syrup we have. Use up leftovers with a Japanese Cocktail, Trinidad Sour, or Mojito Mocktail.
Aged rum

Orange liqueur: Grand Marnier vs Curaçao

A Mai Tai recipe traditionally uses orange curaçao, but it can be hard to find. Here are a few notes on what else to use as a substitute for the orange liqueur:

  • Grand Marnier is your best bet. Grand Marnier is the highest end orange liqueur, and brings nuanced, sophisticated flavor. We had a bottle (since we like Grand Marnier cocktails), so we used it here.
  • Cointreau also works. Got a bottle for making margaritas or other Cointreau drinks? You can use it here too. The flavor is a little less nuanced, but it still works!
Mai Tai Recipe

Two types of rum make the best flavor

Many Mai Tai recipes use two types of rum mixed into the drink. Our version takes it a step further and floats the dark rum on top! It makes for a showy presentation and it’s become a tradition that some people like in their version of this drink. Here’s a bit more about the two types of rum you’ll need:

  • Aged rum: This type of rum is also referred to as golden rum, amber rum, or añejo rum (meaning “aged”). Aging gives it a complex flavor, more like a Cognac. It has undertones of vanilla, coconut, almond, citrus, or caramel. The aged rum that we used here was Brugal Añejo Rum.
  • Dark rum: Also known as black rum, dark rum has a dark color and a rich flavor that’s smoky and sweet.

What other cocktails use these types of rums? Use aged rum in an El Presidente or Pineapple Rum Cocktail, and dark rum in Rum Punch, Dark and Stormy, or a Jungle Bird.

What people are saying about this Mai Tai recipe

Once you’ve got your orgeat syrup, stocked up on golden and dark rum, and figured our your orange liqueur, it’s time to make your Mai Tai cocktail! This is the easy part: shake up the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, strain into a glass, float the dark rum on top and garnish! Here are a few comments from readers who have made this recipe:

  • “I thought your recipe was excellent. I added more lime juice than listed by accident, but is turned out fine. The flavors are amazing and I felt like I was back on Maui enjoying happy hour. It sure packs a punch! I will definitely make this again.” -Rosemary
  • “Used 15 year old Rhum Barbancourt from Haiti topped with Bacardi Black with Grand Marnier. It came out very nice!” -Jim
  • “Wow, wow, wow! You guys hit this one on the head. Absolutely fantastic recipe. The moment I tasted this, the memories of when I first had this came back to me.” -Justin
Mai Tai recipe | Mai tai cocktail
Print
Mai Tai Recipe

Mai Tai


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink

Description

Here’s how to make the original Mai Tai recipe! Gather the ingredients for this tropical rum drink that’s as complex as it is fruity.


Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces* aged rum
  • ½ ounce orange liqueur: Curaçao, Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • ¾ ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce orgeat syrup
  • ½ teaspoon simple syrup (optional**)
  • ½ ounce dark rum, to float (optional)
  • For serving: Crushed ice or clear ice, fresh mint, cocktail cherry, lime wedge

Instructions

  1. Place the aged rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and simple syrup (if using**) in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until cold.
  2. Strain the drink into an ice-filled glass. Top with the dark rum. Garnish with fresh mint, a lime wedge, cocktail cherry and pineapple slice. 

Notes

Here’s a link to these fluted lowball glasses.

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.

**A hint of simple syrup accentuates the flavor for a fruity, sweet tart Mai Tai. Omit it for a more boozy, spirit-forward Mai Tai.

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Mai Tai, Mai Tai Recipe, Mai Tai Ingredients, Mai Tai Drink, Mai Tai Cocktail

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A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.