Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe (2024)

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This Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe is the unofficial adult beverage of summer in my house. So simple and easy to make, I can have a tasty margarita in hand and my feet kicked-up in 5 minutes.

It’s also great for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesdays, and really anytime you want a refreshing drink that pairs well with Mexican food. If you like margaritas, you should also try this Texas Margarita.

Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe (1)

When the weather gets hot, I start craving something more than just a glass of tea or soda. I mean, those are great, but hot days call for a restaurant-style frozen margarita.

There’s just something so summer-esque about a crushed ice, lime, and a shot of tequila. And I live for that first salty sip–all the way to the last drip.

Plus, if you’re a regular reader here, you know how much I love Mexican food! There’s nothing better than a classic margarita to wash down a delicious serving of chicken tacos.

If you want another way to have that margarita flavor, try my Party-favorite Strawberry Margarita Poke Cake.

Ingredients

I will be honest, for years, I really didn’t know how to make restaurant-style frozen margaritas. I had to get my fill at Mexican restaurants.

But no more! It turns out margaritas are really easy to make so now I can make these at home in just minutes whenever I want. You just need a few simple ingredients.

What I use:

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Substitutions and Variations

Tequila: It isn’t a margarita without tequila so don’t sub this ingredient out. You can, however, choose what type of tequila. Tequila blanco (also known as silver) and Reposado are touted as being the best tequilas for margaritas, but use what YOU like.

Triple Sec: Here, you have some flexibility. You really just need an orange liqueur. So, if you don’t have triple sec, you can substitute cointreau.

Sweetener: I like my margarita salty and unsweet, but if you prefer a little sweetness you can add some agave nectar or a simple syrup.

Serving Tips

You can definitely enjoy a margarita in any glass you already own. However, for the full Mexican restaurant experience, invest in some inexpensive margarita glassesClassic Frozen Margarita Recipe (4).

The wide rim of a classic margarita glass gives you plenty of surface space for the salt, which is a key component for the delicious flavor!

How to Make a Classic Frozen Margarita

As I mentioned, I was pretty intimidated about making my own margaritas. If you feel the same way, here are step-by-step instructions (with pictures!) to walk you through making this classic co*cktail.

Once you make your first batch, you’ll realize how easy it is and you can just use the “Jump to Recipe” button at the top of the post to get right to the recipe card.

Or, depending on how often you’re enjoying a margarita, you might just make them from memory!

Step 1

Juice limes over two cups of ice cubes. If they’re not super juicy, you can microwave them for 15 seconds to make them more juicy. Or, if you just hate juicing lemons, you can get about a cup of that pre-juiced lime juice from the grocery store–I’m not judging (but fresh lime juice does taste better).

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Step 2

Add triple sec and tequila. I personally have no preference for alcohol brands. I mean, I can taste the difference between different wines, but when you put lime and ice in with some salt and tequila–I really don’t know that I can taste the different tequila flavors.

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Step 3

Blend. Now, this sounds simple enough, but you want to blend really well. I used my trusty immersion blender. Cheap little workhorse makes perfectly crushed ice for margaritas every time.

Blend until it’s a nice slushy consistency. You want it just enough that the big chunks are broken up but before it’s completely liquefied.

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The immersion blender is perfect for a single margarita, but when I’m making them for a group, I use my regular blenderClassic Frozen Margarita Recipe (8).

Step 4

Rim glass with lime. Now this is a trick I learned from watching the bartender at my local Mexican Restaurant.

I just rub a slice of lime around the edge of the glass–and then I get a bit of lime with my salt instead of lame-ole water.

Step 5

Dip the rim of the glass in salt because the salt rim is key to a good margarita. The coarser the salt, the better. I use coarse kosher salt.

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Step 6

Pour blended mixture into glass. No tricks here, just a simple matter of making it easier to drink your classic margarita. To add just a splash of color and pizzazz, place a lime wedge on the edge of the glass.

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Step 7

Kick your feet back and enjoy!

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If you’re making margaritas for a crowd, prep the glasses but add the margarita mix to a pitcher so guests can easily serve and refill themselves.

📋 Recipe

Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe (12)

Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe

Corinne Schmitt

This Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe the unofficial adult beverage of summer in my house. So simple and easy to make, I can have a tasty margarita in hand and my feet kicked-up in 5 minutes.

4.97 from 29 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Beverages

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 1

Calories 270 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Juice limes over ice. If they’re not super juicy, you can microwave them for 15 seconds to make them more juicy.

    4-6 fresh limes

  • Add triple sec and tequila.

    1/2 shot Triple Sec, 1 shot Tequila

  • Blend.

  • Rim glass with lime.

  • Dip rim of glass in salt.

  • Pour blended mixture into glass.

  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 270kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2336mgPotassium: 342mgFiber: 9gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 170IUVitamin C: 97.5mgCalcium: 111mgIron: 2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a frozen margarita made of? ›

Combine tequila, lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and ice in a blender. Blend until slushy consistency. Step 2Pour into glasses and garnish with lime rounds.

What is a classic margarita made of? ›

In a co*cktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

What is frozen vs classic margarita? ›

It's harder to gauge alcohol dilution in margaritas on the rocks due to ice cube variation. Larger ice cubes take longer to melt, providing a slower dilution process. On the other hand, frozen margaritas provide a more consistent dilution process, since blended or shaved ice is more consistent in size.

What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

What type of tequila is best for frozen margaritas? ›

  • Casa Noble Blanco. This blanco tequila has a clean, crisp flavor that's perfect for margaritas. ...
  • Don Julio Reposado Tequila. This reposado tequila has a smooth, rich flavor that's perfect for sipping or mixing into margaritas. ...
  • Herradura Añejo Tequila. ...
  • Milagro Silver Tequila.

Do you need triple sec for margaritas? ›

Triple sec is an orange-flavored liqueur that is commonly used in margaritas. If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau.

Is triple sec or Cointreau better for margaritas? ›

The classic margarita calls for Cointreau (plus good silver tequila and fresh lime juice). Because its flavor is uncomplicated by spice notes, Cointreau is very adaptable in blending, and shakes up beautifully with clear spirits as well as with brandies, and darker, aged liquors.

How was the original margarita made? ›

His original recipe for the Margarita (recorded on a stack of old bar tabs with the preprinted date of “_____, 194__”) goes: juice of one lime, 4/5 tequila, 1/5 cointreau, salt outside rim of three-ounce glass.

What is a classic margarita? ›

Part of the 'sour' co*cktail family, the Margarita traditionally consists of three ingredients; tequila, triple sec orange liqueur and lime juice, often served in a glass with salt on the rim.

Why are frozen margaritas better? ›

Frozen Margaritas Have More Texture

These tiny beads of ice don't just make your drink as cold as possible, they also add a nice bit of texture that many drinks lack. This lets you drink it slowly through a straw or quickly from the rim of the glass.

Are frozen margaritas unhealthy? ›

The frozen limeade method does have one drawback: That stuff is pretty high in calories. But so are tequila and orange liqueur! And anyway, you're not drinking frozen margaritas for the health benefits. The only other ingredients you'll need are tequila, orange liqueur and plenty of ice.

Is a daiquiri a frozen margarita? ›

Like margaritas, bartenders serve daiquiris shaken or blended as frozen drinks. Alternatively, they may also serve them straight up. However, daiquiris lack the signature salt rim of a margarita, but may include a sugar rim or other fun garnishment.

Why do people add triple sec to margaritas? ›

Triple sec, a term used interchangeably with curaçao, is a type of orange liqueur that provides fruity flavors as well as sweet and bitter notes — all of which are essential for a well-made Margarita. Popular labels include Cointreau, Combier, Pierre Ferrand Curaçao, and Grand Marnier.

Why is it called a dirty margarita? ›

The dirty margarita takes its inspiration from the dirty martini, a classic libation made with strong liquor and a splash of a little something not-so-clear. We swap olive juice for jalapeno brine, making this a drink that packs the heat–and a punch.

What is the best mix for margarita? ›

A good tequila, a bottle of triple sec, and a couple of ripe limes are all you need to make a classic margarita that tastes more natural than any store-bought mix ever will.

Why do frozen margaritas have more alcohol? ›

Tequila isn't pure ethanol, but it won't freeze in commercial freezers, so as soon as it hits the ice, it will start to melt it. Many bartenders try to keep the total alcohol by volume in a frozen drink to about 10 percent because the higher the alcohol content, the faster the ice will melt.

What's the difference between a daiquiri and a frozen margarita? ›

What is the difference between a Margarita vs Daiquiri? The main difference is the alcohol in each co*cktail. Margaritas are made with tequila and sweetened with triple sec, while daiquiris are made with white rum and simple syrup for sweetener.

Do frozen margs have less alcohol? ›

The type of orange liqueur used: Triple sec contains fewer calories and less alcohol than other types of orange liqueur. Whether the margarita is frozen or on the rocks: A frozen margarita contains more calories and alcohol than a non-frozen margarita.

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