Skinny Cadillac Margarita

Ingredient Spotlight

Tequila (blanco or reposado)

Tequila is a Mexican distilled spirit made from blue agave. Blanco (or silver) is unaged and tastes bright, grassy, and citrusy; reposado is aged in oak for a few months, gaining smoother, slightly oaky, vanilla or caramel notes. Find it at most liquor stores—look for 100% agave on the label—and if you don’t have reposado, blanco is an acceptable swap for cocktails (or mezcal can be used for a smokier profile).

Ingredient Spotlight

Agave nectar (or 6–8 drops liquid stevia/monk fruit)

Agave nectar is a syrup made from the sap of the agave plant, commonly used in Mexico and popular as a vegan sweetener; it’s sweeter than sugar with a mild, neutral-to-floral taste and dissolves well in cold drinks. You can buy it in grocery or natural-food stores; good substitutes are simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water), honey or maple syrup (these add their own flavor), or the listed low-calorie sweeteners (liquid stevia/monk fruit) if you prefer.

Ingredient Spotlight

Grand Marnier (or Cointreau) — small float

Grand Marnier and Cointreau are French orange liqueurs used to add concentrated orange flavor: Grand Marnier is Cognac-based and richer with a slightly bitter orange profile, while Cointreau is a clear triple sec that’s cleaner and more citrus-forward. They’re sold in liquor stores and used in small amounts to float aroma and flavor on cocktails; you can substitute another triple sec or dry Curaçao for a similar orange note, or omit for a non-alcoholic version (or use a tiny splash of orange juice or orange bitters for aroma).