Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

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by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 3 Comments

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Applebee’s Perfect Margarita is a classic Mexican co*cktail to enjoy for any occasion.

Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (1)

There is so much to enjoy when sipping on this perfect margarita. From premium ingredients to a unique olive garnish, every sip is a happy one.

Applebee’s is the perfect neighborhood hangout with great food at a good price, so it is no surprise that the restaurants offer the Perfect Margarita. Applebee’s Perfect Margarita takes an everyday co*cktail to the next level with top-shelf alcohol. Whether you are unwinding after a hard day or want to celebrate with your friends, this is the drink you should be sipping.

Table of Contents

Premium Ingredients for the Perfect Margarita

Sure, these ingredients are a little on the expensive side, but it is so worth it!

  • 1800 Reposado Tequila.All reposado tequila spend some time in oak barrels to age, but not all are crafted from 100% Tequilana Weber blue agave that is up to 12 years old. All that time and care gives 1800 Reposado Tequilla a more pronounced taste than tequilas you might typically find in a Margarita. Some people describe 1800 Reposado Tequilla as having caramel and black pepper flavors with a hint of smokiness. For the best flavor, let this tequila breath for a few minutes like a wine before mixing.
  • Cointreau.This top-shelf liqueur in thePerfect Margarita recipereplaces the usual Triple Sec in the everyday Margarita. Few folks will dispute the fact that Cointreau is one of the finest orange liqueurs you can drink, and that is why it has been the star of many co*cktails since its creation in the 1800s. With its fresh, clean taste of citrus fruit and just a touch of sweetness, you can’t do better.
  • Grand Marnier.In this co*cktail, the Grand Marnier brings not only another layer of subtle orange flavor but also the heaviness and complexity of fine brandy. Along with grounding the co*cktail, this brandy strengthens the oaky notes present in the 1800 Reposado Tequilla and adds a touch of vanilla. Although Grand Marnier is not a major player in this co*cktail, leaving it out would result in a less substantial drink.

Bring Out the Blender

Although this high-end co*cktail is best when shaken and served on the rocks, for some people, a Margarita is just not a real Margarita unless it takes a spin in the blender.

For those folks, blending up a frozen Applebee’sPerfect Margarita recipedeserves special attention.

  1. Use a powerful blender that can do the job properly. No one wants to find huge chunks of ice floating around in a frozen co*cktail.
  2. Add all the liquids first, followed by the ice. For the best results, you should use small ice cubes or pre-crushed ice.
  3. Start on the lowest setting, and then gradually increase the speed. Don’t over blend.

Tips for Mixing and Serving an Applebee’s Perfect Margarita

  • Use a proper shaker.Don’t try to get away with stirring this drink. A great Margarita demands a few hard shakes in a Boston shaker to slightly dilute and aerate the co*cktail.
  • Skip the bottled sour mix.Don’t ruin your premium spirits with a bad mixer. You can find a recipe tomake your own sour mixon Serious Eats.
  • Salt the rim with real Margarita salt.Salt adds to the experience of drinking a Margarita, and it just isn’t the same without it. You can buy premade Margarita salt, use slightly crushed plain kosher salt, ormake your own Margarita salt at home.

See what we are cooking up these days on Pinterest.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Tequila
  • Cointreau
  • Grand Marnier
  • Simple syrup
  • Sweet and sour mix
  • Lime
  • Salt for rimming glass
  • Green olive for serving
Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (3)

How to Make Applebee’s Perfect Margarita

  1. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a margarita glass and dip the rim in salt.
    Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (4)
  2. Squeeze the lime to get fresh lime juice.
  3. Place the tequila, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, simple syrup, sour mix, and lime juice in a co*cktail shaker filled with ice.
    Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (5)
  4. Shake, strain, and pour into the salt-rimmed margarita glass.
    Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (6)
  5. Serve with an olive and a slice of lime.
    Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (7)

Love Applebee’s? Try these copycat recipes!

  • Applebees Oriental Chicken Salad
  • Bourbon Street Steak
  • Cheeseburger Quesadilla
  • Oriental Dressing
  • Queso Blanco Recipe
  • Triple Chocolate Meltdown

Favorite co*cktail Recipes

  • Colorado Bulldog co*cktail
  • Dole Whip Float
  • Godfather Recipe
  • How to Make a Mudslide
  • Kahlua Liquor
  • Soggy Dollar Painkiller
  • Washington Apple Drink Recipe

Check out more of my easy co*cktail recipes and the best copycat restaurant recipes here on CopyKat!

Applebee’s Perfect Margarita

Learn how to make Applebee’s Perfect Margarita with this easy copycat recipe. The best margarita with tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice.

5 from 9 votes

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Applebees Perfect Margarita

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 539kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces 1800 Reposado tequila
  • 1/2 ounce Contreau
  • 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup
  • 1 1/2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 4 ounces sweet and sour mix

Instructions

  • Place all in ingredients in a boston shaker, fill with ice. Shake. Pour into a salt-rimmed margarita glass filled with fresh ice, serve with an olive and a slice of time.

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 539kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 103g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sam

    Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (10)
    I love Applebee’s margaritas! They are always so refreshing and perfect. I love CopyKat recipes because they always turn out great.

    Reply

  2. Sammy

    Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (11)
    I made these for my wife last night, she loved them.

    Reply

  3. Sam

    Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (12)
    Always wanted to make one at home.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Applebee's Perfect Margarita - CopyKat Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is an Applebee's perfect margarita? ›

How to Make Applebee's Perfect Margarita. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a margarita glass and dip the rim in salt. Squeeze the lime to get fresh lime juice. Place the tequila, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, simple syrup, sour mix, and lime juice in a co*cktail shaker filled with ice.

What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

What is the difference between a margarita and a perfect margarita? ›

Margarita is the basic template of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, which calls for simplicity. It is always open to suggestions and has played the role of the foundation for many complex concoctions. The “Perfect Margarita” is a sophisticated drink, as this co*cktail-martini hybrid has an acquired taste.

What tequila does Applebee's use? ›

NEW Classic Mezcal Rita: Made for the traditional margarita drinker looking to kick things up a notch, the Classic Mezcal Rita features Applebee's signature margarita mix with a hint of smooth smoke from Dos Hombres Mezcal, Teremana Blanco Tequila, triple sec, and lime.

What makes restaurant margaritas so good? ›

Just as important as the style of tequila is the use of a high-quality orange liqueur. Part of the Daisy category of co*cktails, the Margarita calls for triple sec such as Cointreau for sweetness and balance. Though some may opt for agave nectar instead, the addition of the liqueur is what makes a true Margarita.

What tequila does Applebee's use for margaritas? ›

Both Manaritas feature Dwayne Johnson's ultra-premium Teremana Blanco Tequila. “We're proud to introduce our new $7 Mana Margaritas made with Teremana tequila, which is the fastest-growing, ultra-premium spirit in the country,” said Patrick Kirk, vice president of beverage innovation at Applebee's.

Why do people add triple sec to margaritas? ›

Triple sec, a term used interchangeably with curaçao, is a type of orange liqueur that provides fruity flavors as well as sweet and bitter notes — all of which are essential for a well-made Margarita. Popular labels include Cointreau, Combier, Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, and Grand Marnier.

Why do you put triple sec in margaritas? ›

You'll notice that this particular margarita recipe is missing one ingredient that's crucial to a classic margarita. Orange liqueur (often Cointreau or another triple sec) typically brings sweetness to this drink, balancing the tart lime and tequila.

What is a substitute for triple sec in a margarita? ›

If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For a non-alcoholic substitute you can add fresh orange juice, or agave nectar/simple syrup, to add a touch of sweetness.

Is Grand Marnier or triple sec better for a Margarita? ›

Both Grand Marnier and Cointreau are excellent replacements for Triple Sec when making a Margarita. In fact, both of these are significantly more expensive and are considered to be better than inexpensive Triple Sec both in quality and taste.

Can I use triple sec instead of Cointreau in Margarita? ›

You can substitute triple sec for Cointreau in drinks like cosmopolitans, margaritas, kamikazes, long island iced tea, and sidecars. In baked goods, triple sec can be used in place of Cointreau. Triple sec is also an excellent substitution for any dessert that calls for Cointreau.

Is Cointreau or triple sec better in Margarita? ›

The classic margarita calls for Cointreau (plus good silver tequila and fresh lime juice). Because its flavor is uncomplicated by spice notes, Cointreau is very adaptable in blending, and shakes up beautifully with clear spirits as well as with brandies, and darker, aged liquors.

What's in Applebees $1 margarita? ›

The revamped Dollarita includes well tequila, lime mix, and triple sec — the last of which actually didn't appear in the original recipe. Each Dollarita arrives in a 12-ounce rocks glass (slightly larger than the previous 10-ounce pours) and can be found at any of the chain's almost 2,000 locations.

What are the one dollar margaritas at Applebee's? ›

As that Dot story noted, quoting the chain's site, “the 'unbeatable drink' is made just like any other margarita, using 'tequila, triple sec, and lime. ' The drink comes in a 12-ounce rocks glass, and flavorings can be added for just 50 cents.” Upon revealing the recipe, the creator ends by saying, “Goodbye.”

How do you order a perfect Margarita? ›

Ask for a traditional margarita w/o sweet and sour or to be clear its not out of hand to say "Margarita rocks, no sweet and sour, just tequila, triple sec (or Cointreau if you're going top shelf) and lime juice".

How do you order a Margarita like a pro? ›

Ask the bartender for recommendations or suggestions based on their expertise. They may have insider tips or secret ingredients to make your Margarita even more delicious. Don't forget to specify your desired level of sweetness. If you prefer a sweeter Margarita, ask for a splash of agave nectar or simple syrup.

What Margarita mix do most restaurants use? ›

Lasco was there from the beginning, perfecting a margarita mix that helped make restaurants and food service operators famous the world over. The Lasco margarita is the perfect blend of lemon and lime, sweet and sour, And our natural ingredients will not leave an aftertaste like other mixes.

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