Here's The Secret To Making The Perfect Margarita

It's Cinco de Mayo, which means it's time to break out the tequila and limes and enjoy a cool margarita.

But not all margaritas are created equally. There are a couple of tricks to making the perfectly balanced, fresh tequila cocktail at home.

First, use high-quality ingredients. Shell out the extra dough for a tequila that's 100% agave, and pony up for fresh limes - even though their prices have skyrocketed in recent months.

Second, be careful about proportions. As Chris Hall writes in Bon Apetit, "balance accounts for the difference between a good drink and a bad one," and no one wants a margarita that's overly sweet or tequila-heavy.

Finally, keep the blender in the closet: Margaritas on the rocks taste much better than the blended variety. Shake with ice and serve in a classic margarita glass.

Check out our favorite margarita recipe, below: