How to Make the Perfect Top Shelf Margarita

The title claims to be the BEST Margarita recipe ever, and this might seem like bragging, but I’m not.

It truly is this good. This recipe is not “just” another top-shelf Margarita recipe, but one served in a national restaurant chain. Which one? I’ll get to that, but first a little history.

I really enjoy a good Margarita, but ordering them in a bar, or restaurant is like rolling the dice and taking a chance. Shaken or stirred, on the rock, or crushed?

Margarita Salt Rimmer by Tezzorio, Glass Rimmer with 3 Compartments and Sponge, Sugar and Salt Bar Libbey Cancun 7-piece Margarita Glass Entertainment Set

Most of the time the drinks come from a premixed package and range from horribly sour, super strong and even bitter. So, I don’t order them unless I have a good recommendation. Round the Bend Steakhouse in Ashland is one that will put you on your back after just one.

So where does this Top Shelf Recipe hail? Of all places, Red Lobster! I can’t believe it either.

My husband ordered the Margarita and I ordered a peach sweet something drink. Like all good husbands, he asked if I would like a sip. Sure why not. I was more than surprised. It was a mix of sour, sweet, and salty all wrapped into one lip-smacking drink.

Top Shelf Margarita Recipe from Red Lobster

Compliment the Waiter and Bartender

So impressed, I asked our waiter if the bartender would share the recipe. When he returned we were told the main ingredient was a proprietary sour mix. Compliments can do wonders and I was full of them.

I pretty much begged that I would be willing to buy the sour mix, it was so good, the best margarita I had ever had. Do believe this helped, that and it was our waiters second day on the job and I think he was trying to score points with the staff.

The bartender came to the table, thanked us for the compliments and proceeded to tell us the mix was a concentrate and made quite a bit. I didn’t care I said. “I’d love to be able to buy some if I could.” So, for $10.00 I walked out with a quart of Red Lobster Sour Mix, the recipe, and a smile on my face.

Next stop, Hy-Vee to pick up the ingredients. ($100 later!!!, mix was the cheap part) There is a reason it’s called “Top Shelf”

I have mixed margaritas with various friends during the past year. They all start off skeptical about the accolades I pile on, but as I watch them take the first sip their faces light up and they all agree, it’s the best margarita they have ever had.

Did you know: National Margarita Day is FEBRUARY 22?

So, here you go, the recipe, compliments of Red Lobster.

Top Shelf Margarita Recipe

Margarita Ingredients

11 oz Red Lobster Sour Mix (pre-mixed 1 part mix, 3 parts water)
1 1/2 shots Sausza Gold Tequila
1 shot Triple Sec
1/2 shot Grand Marnier
Margarita salt on rim to taste.
Ice, crushed or cubes
Lime if you have ’em

Dip glasses upside down in about quarter to a half inch of water, then in margarita salt.

Hint: Don’t use the “fancy” plastic Margarita glasses from Walmart and the like. The salt will NOT stick to them. Talk about disappointing.

Mexican Margarita Glasses & Pitcher set with display rack, Hand Blown, Hand Painted, mixed colors w/ various flowers, 14 OZ Libbey 7-Piece Cancun Margarita Pitcher and Glassware Set Designs by Lolita “Margaritaville” Hand-painted Artisan Margarita Glass, 12 oz.Mexican Glasses and Pitcher, Blue Rim 10 Oz (Set of 4 Glasses) Bola or Bowl Shape Pitcher

How to Mix Margaritas for a Crowd

I rarely drink this by myself, it’s always better to share. So I mix margaritas by the pitcher. For instance, if I have one of my best friends over for a summer night drinks I’ll multiply this by four (two drinks a piece) and mix in a pitcher.

44 oz of total mix (11 oz of Red Lobster sour mix, 33 oz water)
6 shots Sausza Gold Tequila
4 shots Triple Sec
2 shots Grand Marnier
Margarita Salt Where’s the salt, where’s the Goshdarn salt!! (editted,…lol)

In a couple of months since Valentines Day (the occasion for our date) I have gone through a gallon of mix, that’s four gallons of margaritas for anyone who would like to know. But they have been shared with friends, as they should. So Enjoy!!!

Make Your Own Margarita Sour Mix

If you don’t have a Red Lobster near you or one that will sell you the mix. You can make it yourself. This is the copycat Red Lobster Margarita recipe for a pitcher of margaritas.

1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup sugar (or 1 tsp stevia concentrate)
3 3/4 cups water
1 1/2 cups Sausza Gold Tequila
3/4 cup Triple Sec
3/8 cup Grand Marnier

This will make almost a half gallon of margarita mix. Perfect for an afternoon of margaritas with friends.

Margarita Items and Supplies

What do you need to have a Margarita party: sour mix, alcohol, of course, salt, REAL glasses because Margarita salt won’t stick to plastic, and of friends to share.

Fat Mama’s Knock-You Naked Margarita MixCheck Price Rokz Design Group Infused Margarita Salt, Lime, 4 OunceCheck Price Artland 5 Piece Mingle Margarita Glass set and 1 Pitcher (Set of 4), AssortmentCheck Price Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker with Easy Pour Jar and XL Ice Reservoir, DM1900Check Price Margarita Mix – Best Powder Cocktail – Natural Ingredients – Tod’s Natural Cocktail Mix (Margarita, 6-pack)Check Price NEXT Margarita Mix, No Added Sugar, Sweetened by Monk Fruit, Hydrating SuperfoodsCheck Price

So there are your official Red Lobster recipes for their top-shelf margarita and if you are wanting more copycat Red Lobster recipes let me know. I also love their lobster bisque and cheddar biscuits.

What is your favorite Margarita recipe?

Do you like sweet, sour, salty or any of the above?

Red Lobster