Why it works: Orange and lime match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 4% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 937 recipes. Both carry decanal, which smells soap, orange peel. The science ↓
On the Rocks Margarita
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare the glass
Moisten rim of glass with lime. Rotate rim against coarse salt, to salt the outside but not the inside of the rim.
Fill the glass with ice cubes.
Mix and serve
Combine ingredients in an ice-filled shaker. Shake until cold.
Pour contents of shaker into glass.
Garnish with slice or wedge of lime.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 3 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Orange | 1 medium (131g) | 62 |
| Lime | juice of 1 lime (44ml) | 11 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Orange + limetop 4% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together937 recipes
Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Tequila
- Provides the main spirit flavor and alcohol base of the drink.
- Orange flavored liqueur
- Adds sweetness and orange aroma that balances the drink.
- Fresh lime juice
- Adds acidity that brightens the drink and balances the sweetness.
The step that matters
Shake until cold. Shaking with ice chills the drink quickly and dilutes it slightly with meltwater, softening the harsh bite of the alcohol. Stopping too early leaves it warm and sharp.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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