Stop Making Basic Margaritas - The Saint Rita Cocktail

A crisp, modern cocktail that feels like a refined twist on a margarita. Built on blanco tequila, elevated with the delicate floral sweetness of elderflower liqueur (St-Germain), and balanced with fresh lime juice. An optional squeeze of orange juice adds a subtle citrus roundness.

smart_display Published 2026-04-22 download Extracted 2026-04-23

3m Prep

3m Total

1 Servings

cocktail tequila margarita elderflower no-cook shaken citrus american drinks st-germain

Ingredients

45 ml blanco tequila
30 ml elderflower liqueur (St-Germain)
22.5 ml fresh lime juice (freshly squeezed)
a squeeze orange juice (freshly squeezed) optional
as needed ice
1 wedge orange wedge (for garnish) optional

Steps

1

Add the lime juice, elderflower liqueur, and blanco tequila to a shaker tin.

Tip: Add lime juice first, then the liqueur, then the spirit — this order keeps the shaker clean and makes it easy to adjust before adding ice.

~1 min
2

Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.

Tip: Optionally add a small pinch of salt to the shaker before shaking — it enhances the floral and citrus flavors.

~1 min
3

Add fresh ice to a rocks glass. Fine strain the cocktail over the ice to remove any ice crystals or pulp.

Tip: Use a large ice cube for slower dilution and a more elegant presentation.

~1 min
4

Garnish with an orange wedge. Optionally squeeze a small amount of orange juice into the drink for added citrus roundness.

Tip: The host rated this 8.7/10 without orange and 9.2/10 with a squeeze of orange — the orange is a recommended addition. Also consider trying with a reposado tequila for a more complex flavor profile.

Nutrition (per serving)

195

Calories

18g

Carbs

Cultural Context

The Saint Rita (or Santa Rita) is a modern riff on the classic margarita, swapping the traditional triple sec or Cointreau for St-Germain elderflower liqueur. Popularized through social media, it transforms the familiar tequila-lime framework into a more aromatic, floral cocktail that appeals to both margarita lovers and fans of more sophisticated spirits.