It’s a perfect balance of sweet and sour.

They even had a tiki hut bar with a margarita machine!

Those are some of my best high school memories.

Jimmy Buffet next to a margarita making scene with cut limes, a cocktail shaker, and simple syrup

Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Sara Haas

Instead of the cloyingly sweet version, this one was made with good tequila and fresh limes.

I remember thinking thismust be what Buffett was singing about!

It was light, refreshing, and the perfect drink for a warm Florida evening on the beach.

All the ingredients for making margaritas on a countertop: cut limes, salt on a plate, and tequila

Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

A simple, well-made margarita strikes that perfect balance between sweet and sour thats both satisfying and refreshing.

His Official Margaritaville Margarita is easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

Rim a chilled glass with salt, and pour in the chilled margarita.

A margarita in a glass with a salted rim, garnished with a lime wheel

Simply Recipes / Sara Haas

you could easily double or triple the ingredients to make more margaritas.

Then turn up the Buffett music, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

Why Jimmy Buffett’s Margarita Recipe Works

This margarita is a little different from most recipes.

Usually, margaritas are shakenwith no water added to the shakerand served over ice.

Shaking the margarita not only cools it down but also dilutes it a little.

Serving it in a chilled glass helps it stay cool, negating the need for extra ice when serving.

I often swap the triple sec for some orange juice.

Since I dont like overly sweet cocktails, I use two teaspoons of sugar instead of a tablespoon.

Here are some other ideas to try.