Tommy's Margarita recipe
The purist's margarita — just tequila, lime, and agave. Nothing else needed.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz 100% Agave Tequila (blanco or reposado)
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Agave Syrup
How to make a Tommy's Margarita
- Add tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave syrup to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12-15 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Garnish
Lime wheel.
Pro tip
The genius of this recipe is what it removes — no orange liqueur, no salt rim, no sour mix. Just three ingredients that let the tequila shine. Use a good 100% agave tequila (never mixto) and fresh lime juice. The agave syrup echoes the agave in the tequila, creating a seamless flavor.
History of the Tommy's Margarita
Created by Julio Bermejo at Tommy's Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco in the 1990s. Bermejo wanted to showcase the quality of 100% agave tequila without the orange liqueur masking its flavor. The IBA (International Bartenders Association) officially recognized it as a distinct cocktail in 2022 — separate from the classic Margarita.
Flavour profile
Citrus, Sweet, Clean, Agave
Variations
- Mezcal Tommy's — Use mezcal instead of tequila for smoky depth
- Spicy Tommy's — Muddle jalapeño slices before shaking
- Tommy's on the Rocks — Serve in a salt-rimmed glass for the classic touch
Practise making the Tommy's Margarita in the free Virtual Bar game.