The Grand Marnier margarita is made with Añejo tequila, Grand Marnier, honey, and fresh lemon juice. This margarita is made specifically with Añejo tequila. Añejo is stronger and smokier than your typical Blanco tequila, giving this cocktail a warmer feel that complements the sweetness of the honey. It’s the perfect winter margarita
You CAN use Blanco tequila for this cocktail, however, I highly recommend you try Añejo or Reposado first. The caramel flavors will give the cocktail more character and give it more of an edge. I’m sweet, but not that sweet.
Once you go with real ingredients, you will never go back. Real margaritas are made with natural ingredients. No mixes or artificial sweeteners. For a classic margarita—I always use fresh lime juice and simple syrup (melted sugar and water) in place of a store-bought mix.
The honey lemon and Grand Marnier margarita is absolutely no exception. Honey syrup is used as a sweetener while lemon juice is an even more balanced alternative to lime juice.
How to Make Honey Syrup
Honey syrup is essentially simple syrup made with equal parts of honey and water. It’s easier to make than simple syrup as the honey will more easily dissolve in warm water, unlike sugar.
To make honey syrup, heat 1/4 cup of water in the microwave for 15-25 seconds until warm. Stir in 1/4 cup of honey until fully dissolved. The proper consistency is a little thicker than water when room temp.
Why Put Grand Marnier in a Margarita?
Now, you may notice this is starting to sound like the Cadillac of margaritas. If you use Añejo or Reposado tequila, I highly recommend you pair it with Grand Marnier over triple sec (orange liqueur).
Grand Marnier is an orange-flavored French liqueur made from cognac and orange flavor. It’s really flavorful, complex, and a step above your typical orange liqueur.
Let’s go all out for this one. Trust me, it’s worth it.
More Margaritas
- Classic margarita
- Grapefruit margarita
- Spicy jalapeno margarita
- Watermelon margarita
- Elderflower margarita
Honey Lemon & Grand Marnier Margarita Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
The Grand Marnier margarita is made with Añejo tequila, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup. A refreshing and warm, winter buzz.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Añejo or Reposado tequila
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce honey syrup
- 1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
- Lemon wheel for garnish
honey syrup (makes 1/2 cup)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- To make honey syrup, combine warm water and honey in a glass and stir until honey is fully dissolved. I usually heat water in a glass measuring cup in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and stir in honey.
- For the salted rim, take a lemon wedge and coat the rim of an old fashioned glass. Dip in margarita salt, rotating until coated.
- Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add a cup of ice and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Pour straight into the old fashioned glass with the (now crushed) ice or fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Notes
If you don’t want to make a lot of honey syrup, just measure out an ounce of both sugar and water for 1-2 cocktails!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 198
- Sugar: 17.9g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: grand marnier margarita
This was sooooo YUMMY
So I’m on day 91 posts in a row of a Covid cocktail. Really love tequila and mezcal so when I saw this one I had to try. I really love it and just to be sure I did one with blanco then Añejo tequila. Hands down better with the Añejo. It’s really lovely but I did throw in a jalapeño pepper which gave it a kick. Thank you!
Well, this will teach me to read more carefully. Whatever you do, don’t just pour all the ingredients into the shaker with ice – if you do the honey will clump and not mix in. Make sure the honey is dissolved before pouring into the shaker with ice.
I’ll have to try again another time.
Delicious with Anejo, can I use something like costco Silver with this recipe?
★★★★★
My wife lived this cocktail! Two thumbs up!