Cocktails can get so oversaturated with sugars and processed mixes that you lose the ability to truly appreciate whatever liquor you are indulging in during happy hour. Thankfully the craft cocktail movement is on the rise and we are starting to see cleaner, fresh ingredients be utilized and highlighted in bars and restaurants around the world.

But what about when you come home after a long workday and want nothing more than to kick back in your sweats on the back patio with a great book and an even better cocktail?

Some days you just really don’t want to go out when you can be in the comfort of your own home. For those days, you need an arsenal of fresh, flavorful cocktails to whip up. You also need a recipe that is simple and won’t overwhelm you with 500 ingredients like some of those ritzy cocktail bars turn out every day.

My ultimate go-to for cocktail hour at home is a refreshing margarita. This is most likely attributed to growing up in Denver where Mexican food and margaritas the size of your head can be found on every single block. Regardless, a sweet, salty, and tart margarita really packs in the refreshment on a hot summer day.

Instead of buying margarita mix that contains who knows what, and tends to be way too sour in my opinion, I make my own version that has only four ingredients and I bet you probably already have all of them in your home.

I’ll do anything to help you avoid a trip to the store!

Tequila, fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice and agave is all you need to make this simple cocktail for happy hour or Taco Tuesday (or Margarita Monday for that matter). Shake them up with some ice and serve it on the rocks, with or without salt depending on your preference.

It’s so clean and you can really appreciate the tequila that you spent all your hard earned money on. In the end, isn’t that the point of a truly amazing cocktail?