Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe

This Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe is so simple and easy to make, you can have a tasty margarita in hand and your feet kicked-up in 5 minutes.

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 crushed ice, lime, and a shot of tequila. And I live for that first salty sip—all the way to the last drip.

Besides being perfect for summer, it’s great for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesdays, and really anytime you want a refreshing drink that pairs well with Mexican food. There’s nothing better than a classic margarita to wash down a delicious serving of chicken tacos.

If you like margaritas, you should also try this Texas margarita.

Why do you Need Triple sec for Margaritas?

If you don’t add triple sec, you will have a sour cocktail.

The addition of triple sec provides a warm citrus note to counterbalance the high acidity of the juice from the fresh limes. Most triple secs have a relatively low ABV (alcohol by volume) so the orange flavoring isn’t as “juice-forward,” which lets the flavor of the tequila stand out.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You and your guests are going to love this tasty margarita recipe:

• Easy to make: It may seem intimidating to make a margarita, but once you make your first one, you’ll see how easy it is to make.
• Always a hit at parties: If there are adults at your party that like alcoholic beverages, they are definitely going to love this refreshing drink.
• Quick to make: Your guests won’t be waiting for long, they can have a tasty margarita in hand in 5 minutes.

If you want to serve another traditional flavored margarita at your party, make this strawberry lemonade margarita.

🥘 Ingredients

Margaritas are really easy to make at home in just minutes whenever you want. You just need a few simple ingredients.

• Tequila: This is the main alcohol flavor in the margarita.
• Triple sec: Use this to add a warm citrus flavor to balance out the acidity from the lime juice.
• Fresh limes: Juice from fresh limes adds a bright, zesty flavor and freshness to your margarita.
• Salt for rimming: There are several different colors of salt made for rimming margarita glasses.

See recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities

🔀 Substitutions

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: If you prefer a little sweetness you can add some agave nectar or a simple syrup.

🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

Here are some items that will be helpful when making a frozen margarita:

• Immersion blender: This makes perfectly crushed ice for margaritas every time.
• Margarita glasses: You can definitely enjoy a margarita in any glass you already own. However, for the full Mexican restaurant experience, invest in some inexpensive margarita glasses.

🔪 How to Make a Classic Frozen Margarita

If you’re intimidated about making your own margaritas, here are step-by-step instructions (with pictures) to walk you through making this classic cocktail.

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.

Step 1: Juice Limes

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 limes, 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).

Step 2: Add Alchohol

Add triple sec and tequila.

Step 3: Blend

Now, this sounds simple enough, but you want to blend really well. Using an immersion blender will make 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.

Step 4: Rim the Glass

Rim glass with lime. Just rub a slice of lime round the edge of the glass.

Step 5: Dip Glass in Salt

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

Step 6: Pour Into a Glass

Pour blended mixture into a glass. To add just a splash of color and pizzazz, place a lime wedge on the edge of the glass.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Kick your feet back and enjoy.

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips

• The immersion blender is perfect for a single margarita, but when you’re making them for a group, you should use a regular blender.
• To rim the glass with lime,  just rub a slice of lime around the edge of the glass—and then you’ll get a bit of lime with the salt instead of just plain water.
• 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 FAQs

🙏 Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe:

Ready to get cooking? Print off the recipe card below or toggle on Cook Mode to keep your screen from going dark while you follow along on your phone or tablet.

📋 Recipe

Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe

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Corinne Schmitt

This Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe is so simple and easy to make, and the perfect refreshing adult beverage for summer.

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 250 kcal

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Equipment

• ▢
  Margarita glasses
• ▢
  Immersion blender

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 shot Tequila
• ▢ 1/2 shot Triple Sec
• ▢ 4-6 fresh limes
• ▢ 2 cups ice
• ▢ Salt for rimming

Get ingredients with

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, 2 cups ice
• Add triple sec and tequila.
  1/2 shot Triple Sec, 1 shot Tequila
• Blend.
• Rim glass with lime.
• Dip rim of glass in salt.
  Salt for rimming
• Pour blended mixture into glass.
• Enjoy!

Notes

Pro Tips

• The immersion blender is perfect for a single margarita, but when you’re making them for a group, you should use a regular blender.
• To rim the glass with lime,  just rub a slice of lime around the edge of the glass—and then you’ll get a bit of lime with the salt instead of just plain water.
• 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 FAQs

How do you make a frozen margarita not watery?

The margarita gets watery because the ingredients separate. When the ice melts, the heavier ingredients will sink to the bottom of the glass. If you blend the ingredients into a uniform mixture with small pieces of ice, you it will take longer to get watery.

 

What can I add to my margarita mix to make it better?

You can add other fruits to add a lot more flavor to your margaritas. Simply blend diced chunks of fruit like mango or cucumber along with the rest of your margarita ingredients.

 

How can I keep my frozen margaritas fresh when serving them?

If you chill your pitcher in the freezer before you fill it up with your margaritas it will keep them fresh and cool for longer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 31mgPotassium: 281mgFiber: 8gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 134IUVitamin C: 78mgCalcium: 103mgIron: 2mg

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