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When you’re ready to upgrade your margarita beyond the typical lime-and-triple-sec routine, the Cadillac Margarita delivers luxury in liquid form. We’ve perfected this premium take on Mexico’s most famous export, swapping bottom-shelf orange liqueur for Grand Marnier’s cognac-based elegance. This isn’t your spring break margarita—it’s what happens when you treat tequila with respect.

You’ve found the definitive recipe that transforms a simple agave cocktail into something worthy of top-shelf billing.

An orange Cadillac margarita cocktail with ice, lime slices, and chili powder on the rim sits on a table beside fresh limes, with a blurred plant in the background.

What Is a Cadillac Margarita Cocktail?

Quick Answer: A Cadillac Margarita substitutes Grand Marnier for standard triple sec, creating a more complex, cognac-influenced flavor profile.

Named after the luxury car brand in the 1980s, this cocktail represented the era’s obsession with premium everything – even in your glass. Grand Marnier’s cognac base transforms the bright character of a traditional margarita into something more nuanced.

A Cadillac margarita with chili powder on the rim and lime slices, next to fresh limes on a light surface.

What you’ll love about this recipe:


  • COMPLEX: Grand Marnier brings vanilla and oak undertones from its cognac base, creating layers of flavor that unfold with each sip rather than hitting you with simple citrus sweetness.
  • BALANCED: The combination of agave syrup and Grand Marnier’s natural sweetness means you get richness without the cloying artificial taste that plagues so many margarita variations. 

What You Need to Make a Cadillac Margarita

  • Reposado Tequila: The aged character adds vanilla and caramel notes that complement Grand Marnier’s cognac base—blanco tequila works but misses the sophisticated interplay.
  • Grand Marnier: This cognac-based orange liqueur is non-negotiable here; it’s what makes this a Cadillac rather than just another margarita with expensive ingredients.
  • Fresh Lime Juice: Always fresh-squeezed—bottled lime juice will flatten the bright acidity that balances the drink’s richness.
  • Agave Syrup: Stays true to tequila’s agave roots while dissolving easily in cold liquid; adjust to taste since Grand Marnier already brings sweetness.
  • Lime Wedge or Wheel: For garnish and that essential citrus oil expression.
  • Salt or (Optional): Quality coarse salt for rimming – we prefer it on half the rim so you can choose your level of salinity with each sip.

How to Make a Cadillac Margarita

  1. If using salt, run a lime wedge around half the rim of a rocks glass and dip into coarse salt. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
  2. Add reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, and agave syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
  3. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker feels cold in your hands.
  4. Double strain into your prepared rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

Bartneder’s Tips


  • Temperature Matters: Chill your glass beforehand—a warm glass will immediately start melting your ice and diluting your carefully balanced cocktail.
  • Shake Technique: Shake hard and with purpose; this drink needs proper aeration to marry the Grand Marnier’s viscosity with the other ingredients.
  • Ice Quality: Use large, dense ice cubes that melt slowly. Cloudy, soft ice will water down your premium ingredients faster than you can appreciate them.
  • Taste and Adjust: Start with our measurements, then adjust the agave syrup based on your Grand Marnier’s sweetness level—some bottles vary slightly in sugar content.
A chili-rimmed cadillac margarita of cocktail with ice and lime slices sits beside whole and halved limes and a gold shaker on a white surface.

How to Serve This Cadillac Margarita

Serve immediately in a rocks glass over fresh ice. Perfect for intimate gatherings where you want to impress without trying too hard. The amber hue from reposado and Grand Marnier looks particularly good during golden hour.

More Cocktail Recipes

Ready for more premium tequila cocktails? Check out our tequila collection for drinks that treat Mexico’s national spirit with proper respect. Join our weekly newsletter for recipes delivered every Friday at 4 PM—perfect for happy hour planning.

Cadillac Margarita Recipe

This Cadillac Margarita recipe elevates the classic cocktail with Grand Marnier and reposado tequila for a sophisticated, well-balanced drink. Perfect for those seeking a premium margarita experience with complex flavors and smooth finish.
Print Recipe
A glass of iced Cadillac margarita drink with a chili powder rim and lime slices is surrounded by whole and sliced limes on a light surface.
Prep Time:5 minutes
Total Time:5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Reposado tequila
  • 1 oz Grand Marnier
  • ¾ oz Fresh lime juice
  • ½ oz Agave syrup
  • Garnish: Lime wedge
  • Optional: Salt for rim

Instructions

  • Optional: Rim glass with salt using lime wedge.
  • Add all ingredients to shaker with ice.
  • Shake well until chilled.
  • Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
  • Garnish with lime.

Video

Servings: 1 cocktail
Author: Kita

Recipe FAQs

Can I use silver tequila instead of reposado?

You can, but you’ll lose the vanilla and caramel notes that make this cocktail special.

What if I don’t have agave syrup?

Simple syrup works, but agave better complements tequila’s flavor profile.

Is Grand Marnier really necessary?

Grand Marnier’s cognac base creates the signature depth. Cointreau makes a great margarita, but it’s a different cocktail.

How do I prevent over-dilution?

Use large ice cubes and serve immediately. Pre-chill your glass.

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