Cadillac Margarita recipe
A Margarita with a Grand Marnier float — richer, rounder, and worth serving carefully.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Reposado Tequila (100% agave)
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Orange Liqueur (Cointreau or a quality triple sec)
- 0.25 oz Agave Syrup (optional, depending on the limes)
- 0.5 oz Grand Marnier (to float)
How to make a Cadillac Margarita
- Run a lime wedge around half the rim of a rocks glass and coat that half with kosher salt. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake firmly for 12 seconds, then strain over the fresh ice.
- Slowly pour Grand Marnier over the back of a bar spoon so it rests across the top of the drink.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and let the guest decide when to stir in the float.
Garnish
Half salt rim and a lime wheel.
Pro tip
The Cadillac part is the float, not extra sweetness. Use a decent reposado and keep the Grand Marnier on top at first; that first sip should smell like orange and cognac before the lime takes over.
History of the Cadillac Margarita
The Cadillac Margarita grew out of the late-20th-century restaurant trend of serving a Margarita with a premium orange liqueur. The exact origin is disputed, but the idea stayed because the cognac base of Grand Marnier makes a familiar drink feel a little more ceremonial.
Flavour profile
Citrus, Agave, Orange, Oak
Variations
- Cadillac on the Rocks — Skip the float and stir 0.25 oz Grand Marnier into the shaker for a more integrated drink.
- Smoky Cadillac — Replace 0.5 oz of tequila with mezcal, then keep the Grand Marnier float.
- Tommy's Cadillac — Use agave syrup instead of orange liqueur in the shake; keep only the Grand Marnier float.
Practise making the Cadillac Margarita in the free Virtual Bar game.