This Frozen Margarita Cocktail is the perfect slushy drink for a hot summer day! Made with just a few simple ingredients like tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup, this classic cocktail has the perfect balance of flavor. With a slushy texture and a refreshing taste, it's guaranteed to cool you down and make you feel like you're on a tropical vacation.
Few drinks capture the spirit of Mexico quite like the margarita! I always used to order these when I went to my favorite Mexican restaurant.
This classic margarita has been enjoyed by generations of tequila-lovers, and is a beloved favorite for Cinco de Mayo celebrations or laid-back gatherings.
With its delicious flavor, it's no surprise that the frozen margarita is one of the most popular cocktails around! When it is strawberry season, I love to sit back and relax with a Strawberry Margarita.
I think this is the BEST frozen margarita recipe - I love the unique flavor that comes from the perfect balance between tart lime juice and sweet simple syrup.
Pair that with smooth tequila, salt on the rim, and fresh lime wedges as a garnish, and you have an unbeatable combination that just can't be beat.
Whether you're throwing a party or just need a refreshing pick-me-up, this cocktail recipe is always a hit.
Be sure to check out 20+ Best Margarita Recipes For Summer You Can Make At Home!
And for more refreshing cocktails, check out The Perfect Aperol Spritz Recipe 3-2-1, Bacardi Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri, Blackberry Mojito, and my yummy Grapefruit Paloma!
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💗 Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple recipe: This classic frozen margarita recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and can be whipped up in a matter of minutes - it's such an easy recipe!
- It's refreshing: The slushy texture and lime flavor make this frozen margarita the perfect drink for hot summer days. It's guaranteed to cool you down.
- It's delicious: With the perfect balance of tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup, this frozen margarita is a tasty treat.
- It's a classic cocktail: The frozen margarita has been a popular cocktail for decades, and for good reason. It's a timeless classic that is loved by many.
- It's perfect for entertaining: This homemade margarita can easily be scaled up to make a large batch for entertaining. It's a crowd-pleasing cocktail that is sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering!
- It's customizable: You can adjust the ingredients to make your drink as strong or as weak as you like.
- This margarita is great for parties, treating yourself after a long day at work, or for sipping on a hot summer day.
🍊 Ingredient Notes + Substitutions
The ingredient list for this cocktail is small - and you can easily find everything at your local grocery store (or liquor store).
- Tequila - Tequila is the base spirit in a margarita and provides the alcoholic content. It adds a distinctive flavor and gives the cocktail its signature kick. Blanco tequila (Silver tequila) is my favorite to use in margaritas. My favorite tequila to use in all my favorite margarita recipes is 1800 Blanco tequila.
- Triple Sec - Triple Sec is a sweet, orange-flavored liqueur that provides a citrusy flavor and sweetness. If you don't have triple sec, you could use Cointreau or Grand Marnier, similar orange-flavored liqueurs.
- Lime Juice - Lime juice is a key ingredient in a margarita, providing the tartness that balances the sweetness. Freshly squeezed lime juice is preferred for its bright, zesty flavor. If you don't have fresh lime juice, you could use bottled lime juice, but the taste may not be as fresh.
- Simple Syrup - I used homemade simple syrup, which is a mixture of sugar and water that is heated until the sugar dissolves, creating a sweet liquid perfect for cocktails. It adds sweetness to the margarita and balances out the sourness of the lime juice. If you don't have simple syrup, you could also use agave syrup or honey as a sweetener.
- Ice Cubes - Ice cubes are used to create the slushy texture of a frozen margarita and create a smooth and refreshing cocktail.
- Salt - The salt on the rim of the glass adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the margarita. You can use kosher salt, pink Himalayan sea salt, or coarse salt. I also like to use a 50/50 mixture of coarse sea salt and cane sugar. 🙂
See the printable recipe card for quantities and a full list of ingredients.
🍸 How To Make A Frozen Margarita
First, rim your favorite cocktail glass with salt, To do this, take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Then, dip the glass upside down in a small plate of salt to coat the rim.
Add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup to a blender. Add 2 cups of ice cubes.
Tip: If you prefer a less icy drink, reduce the amount of ice cubes.
Blend on high speed until you have a slushy consistency.
Taste the margarita and adjust the sweetness or sourness as needed by adding more simple syrup or lime juice.
Pour the frozen margarita into your salt-rimmed glass.
Garnish the margarita with a lime slice or lime wedge.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
💭 Expert Tips
- Easy to scale: This traditional margarita recipe makes one serving, but can easily be scaled up to make more. If you want to make a large batch, you can double or triple the ingredients and blend them in batches in the blender.
- Use fresh lime juice: Fresh lime adds a bright, zesty flavor that makes a big difference in the taste of your margarita. Avoid bottled lime juice if possible, it may have a more muted flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness: Taste the margarita as you go along, and add more simple syrup if you want it sweeter or more lime juice if you want it more sour.
- Use a good tequila: The quality of the tequila you use will affect the flavor of your margarita. Choose a high-quality, 100% agave tequila for the best results - I recommend a Blanco (Silver) tequila.
- Use a powerful blender: A high-speed blender is the best tool for making a frozen margarita. It will give you a smooth and consistent texture.
- Ice: The amount of ice you use will affect the texture of your margarita. Use enough ice to make it thick and slushy but not so much that it becomes too thick to drink. If you want your drink less thick, use less ice.
- Make it non-alcoholic: If you want to make a virgin frozen margarita, simply swap out the tequila and triple sec with an equal amount of a non-alcoholic alternative, such as soda water, or extra lime juice or simple syrup.
- Drink responsibly: Since margaritas can pack a punch, it's crucial to consume them in moderation. If you intend to have more than one, ensure that you have a designated driver.
🧾 Recipe FAQs
Frozen margaritas are best enjoyed immediately after blending, so I do not recommend making it ahead of time.
Yes, you can use other sweeteners such as agave nectar or honey instead of simple syrup, or use a low-calorie sweetener to make it keto friendly - which is also a skinny margarita!
While tequila is the traditional liquor used in margaritas, you can experiment with other spirits such as rum or vodka. Keep in mind that this will result in a different flavor profile and may not be a true margarita anymore.
Triple sec is an orange liquer that adds a nice citrus flavor and sweetness to the margarita, but you can omit it if you prefer, or add a splash of orange juice instead.
It only takes about 5 minutes to mix up a frozen margarita.
Blanco or silver tequilas are the most popular choice for making frozen margaritas as they have a clean flavor.
If you don't have a blender, you can use a food processor, or use a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice instead and strain into a glass to serve.
This frozen margarita recipe is a refreshing and delicious cocktail, particularly on hot summer days.
If you like this post on this Frozen Margarita recipe, please take a moment to rate the recipe 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and leave a comment below with your thoughts!
📋 Recipe
How To Make The Best Frozen Margarita (Classic Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz triple sec or Cointreau
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 oz simple syrup *see note below
- coarse salt for rimming the glass optional
- lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Rim your favorite cocktail glass with salt (if desired). To do this, take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Then, dip the rim of the glass in a plate of salt to coat it.
- Add the ice, tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup to a blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth and slushy.
- Taste and adjust sweetness to your liking by adding more simple syrup or lime juice.
- Pour the mixture into a salt-rimmed glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Easy to scale: This traditional margarita recipe makes one serving, but can easily be scaled up to make more. If you want to make a large batch, you can double or triple the ingredients and blend them in batches in the blender.
- Use fresh lime juice: Fresh lime adds a bright, zesty flavor that makes a big difference in the taste of your margarita. Avoid bottled lime juice if possible, it may have a more muted flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness: Taste the margarita as you go along, and add more simple syrup if you want it sweeter or more lime juice if you want it more sour.
- Use a good tequila: The quality of the tequila you use will affect the flavor of your margarita. Choose a high-quality, 100% agave tequila for the best results - I recommend a Blanco (Silver) tequila.
- Use a powerful blender: A high-speed blender is the best tool for making a frozen margarita. It will give you a smooth and consistent texture.
- Ice: The amount of ice you use will affect the texture of your margarita. Use enough ice to make it thick and slushy but not so much that it becomes too thick to drink. If you want your drink less thick, use less ice.
- Make it non-alcoholic: If you want to make a virgin frozen margarita, simply swap out the tequila and triple sec with an equal amount of a non-alcoholic alternative, such as soda water, or extra lime juice or simple syrup.
- Drink responsibly: Since margaritas can pack a punch, it's crucial to consume them in moderation. If you intend to have more than one, ensure that you have a designated driver.
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