The Best Vanilla Margarita Recipe Featuring Licor 43
This vanilla margarita recipe is one of the sexiest tequila cocktails around. And it might be one of my favorite margarita recipes, ever. Instead of using triple sec, this recipe calls for a stunning, Spanish liqueur with hints of vanilla called Licor 43.
This isn’t the first non-traditional margarita ever invented. We previously featured a fantastic recipe with Patrón’s Citrónge in place of triple sec.
We don’t know who made the first margarita but we do know the original was simple, clean and refreshing. It was also the kind of basic drink recipe welcoming variations. In this case, it’s a version of the tequila cocktail with sexy vanilla notes. You’re just going to love what vanilla does to a margarita!
How to make a fantastic vanilla margarita
Like a classic margarita, this drink is straightforward and easy to make. All you need is a cocktail shaker and four ingredients. The recipe calls for tequila, fresh citrus and simple syrup. But instead of triple sec, you use Licor 43 to give the cocktail a hint of sweet vanilla.
What is Licor 43?
This Spanish spirit was inspired by an ancient Roman drink called Licvor Mirabilis. (The ancient drink was a spirit infused with local fruits and herbs.) And in the case of Licor 43, it’s a blend of citrus and vanilla. And in this cocktail recipe, it’s shaken with reposado tequila.
Where to buy it
If you’re not sure where to find the key ingredient in this tasty margarita, just do an online shopping search for retailers near you. Licor 43 is distributed throughout the U.S. and 80 other countries through major retailers including BevMo, Total Wine & More and Target.
What kind of tequila should you use in this margarita recipe?
This margarita calls for reposado tequila. It’s an aged style of tequila and is used for this drink because reposados tend to have a hint of vanilla, which is this cocktail’s signature flavor.
It isn’t the style most typically used for a margarita. That’s Blanco. Reposado tequilas tend to make a smoother cocktail but if you prefer the pure, agave flavor of a blanco, feel free to try mixing this drink with your favorite tequila.
If you do want to try mixing this drink with reposado, some good brands to try include Cazul 100, Don Roberto, Mijenta or Clase Azul, (my personal favorite).
How do you make simple syrup?
You need simple syrup for many cocktails. Luckily, it’s an incredibly easy ingredient to make. You just add equal parts granulated sugar and water to a small saucepan. (I recommend 1/2 cup each but how much you should make depends on how much you’ll use.)
Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight storage container and store in the refrigerator.
The importance of fresh citrus
Like any great margarita recipe, this cocktail calls for freshly squeezed citrus juice. It’s so important to buy whole citrus and squeeze it fresh for truly unforgettable cocktails.
You might notice that this recipe diverges from the original margarita by using fresh lemon juice instead of lime. Find it hard to believe that lemon juice could work? Just try it once and I think you’ll be hooked.
One quick citrus tip: Some lemons just aren’t as juicy as others. If you find yourself having trouble getting enough juice from your citrus, try warming the whole fruit in the microwave. Remove any stickers but don’t cut the fruit, then put it in the microwave for 20 seconds. This will help release the juice.
Why this is a cocktail recipe for date night
Historically all forms of alcohol are considered aphrodisiacs and therefore hold the potential to get your heart thumping. But as an authority on aphrodisiacs, I’ve come to learn that some forms of alcohol are superior when it comes to games of love. And Licor 43 earns top marks with me for its flavorful blend of citrus with the famously aphrodisiac romantic of vanilla.
Just keep in mind that as with all forms of alcohol, moderation is the key. A cocktail before dinner can whet the appetite for more than just food. But cocktails drunk all night long can bring the evening to a sloppy end.
The Licor 43 Margarita
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz Licor 43
- 3/4 oz reposado tequila
- 1-1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- lime wheel optional
Instructions
- Add ice to a glass and set aside.*
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice and shake.
- Strain into glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes
A note on the provided nutrition information
The nutrition information provided has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Nutrition
This article was written in 2020 and updated in 2024 with additional instructions and ingredient information.
Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.
Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.
Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.
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Good, but better with a splash of vanilla and use maple syrup vs simple.
Really good idea, I would reduce the 43 to half oz and double the tequila for a more balanced flavour profile (or more to my personal liking, ie less sweet). Thanks for the recipe!
Summers and Margarita, surely both go hand in hand. So want to try this on some hot sunny day!