Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

Here's my top tips for making these margs: — The ratio for frozen margaritas. The ratio is easy to remember: 1 part simple syrup: 2 parts triple sec: 4 parts tequila: 4 parts lime juice. Cover with twice the amount of ice, and you're ready to get blending.

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.

One Margarita is about 1.5 standard drinks.

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.

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.

A margarita on the rocks certainly has its share of ice in it, but it's not spread nearly as evenly throughout as it is in a frozen drink. Your frozen concoction maker shaves ice into the perfect size then blends it into the rest of the drink so that every sip is as cold as can be. Make sure you choose blended drinks.

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.

Just as important as the style of tequila is the use of a high-quality orange liqueur. Part of the Daisy category of co*cktails, the Margarita calls for triple sec such as Cointreau for sweetness and balance. Though some may opt for agave nectar instead, the addition of the liqueur is what makes a true Margarita.

How do you make frozen margaritas not runny? ›

If you're worried about making a watery frozen margarita, sweeten with honey or agave nectar. Either of these natural sweeteners will give your frozen co*cktails a thicker texture.

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.

WHY IS MY FROZEN DRINK SEPARATING? As the ice melts, the heavier, denser ingredients in frozen drinks will follow the laws of gravity and sink to the bottom of the glass—or separate. You can help slow this process by thoroughly blending ingredients into a uniform mixture with small ice crystals.

On average, a margarita is about 3 ounces of liquid. Of that, 2 to 2.5 ounces is alcohol, with a bit of lime juice/mixer and some water from melted ice. With 80-proof tequila and factoring in mixers and melting ice, margaritas have about 33% ABV.

While Cointreau is a premium option with a higher price point and ABV, triple sec is a more affordable and sweeter alternative.

A splash of fruit juice can also add some more flavor to your margaritas. Grapefruit juice will give a tart, slightly sour flavor, while pineapple juice creates a more tropical-tasting drink. "Citrus-based juices are essential for balancing out the sweetness of a margarita," David Alan told Insider.

If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For a non-alcoholic substitute you can add fresh orange juice, or agave nectar/simple syrup, to add a touch of sweetness.

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.

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.