Frozen Margarita
This frosty frozen margarita blends fresh lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur, agave, and plenty of ice into a tart, slushy cocktail. Salt the rim if you like, or skip it for a cleaner citrus sip.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 4 drinks
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mMexican-AmericanDrinks
A frozen margarita is all about balance: bright lime, smooth tequila, a little orange sweetness, and enough ice to make it thick without watering it down too much.
This version uses fresh lime juice and agave syrup, which blends easily into cold drinks. A high-speed blender helps, but any sturdy blender can work if you add the ice in stages.
Serve these right away while they are slushy. If you want to make them ahead, you can freeze the blended mixture briefly and stir before serving.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 4 drinks
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice, from about 4 to 5 limes
- 3/4 cup silver tequila
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur, such as triple sec or Cointreau
- 2 tablespoons agave syrup, plus more to taste
- 4 cups ice cubes
- Lime wedges, for the glasses
- Kosher salt or flaky salt, for the rims, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
Chill the glasses
Place 4 margarita glasses or short tumblers in the freezer while you make the drinks. Cold glasses help the frozen margaritas stay slushy a little longer.
Salt the rims
Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass. Dip the rim into a small plate of salt, turning gently so the salt sticks. Set the glasses aside. Skip this step if you prefer an unsalted drink.
Juice the limes
Squeeze the limes until you have 1/2 cup juice. Strain out seeds if needed. Fresh juice makes a sharper, cleaner margarita than bottled lime juice.
Add the liquids
Pour the lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and agave syrup into the blender. Adding the liquids first helps the blender blades move more easily.
Add the ice
Add the ice cubes to the blender. If your blender is small or not very powerful, add half the ice first, blend, then add the rest.
Blend until slushy
Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and thick, about 30 to 60 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides or stir with a long spoon if the ice gets stuck. Always turn the blender off before stirring.
Taste and adjust
Taste a small spoonful. Add a little more agave if it is too tart, or a squeeze more lime if it tastes too sweet. Blend again for a few seconds.
Pour and serve
Pour the frozen margaritas into the prepared glasses. Garnish with lime wedges and serve right away, before the slush melts.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Blend the margarita mixture up to 2 hours ahead and freeze it in a covered container. Stir well, or briefly re-blend, before serving. It will not stay perfectly fluffy in the freezer, but it will refresh nicely.
- Storage: Leftover frozen margarita can be frozen for up to 1 week. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, then stir or blend until slushy again.
- Tequila swap: Silver tequila keeps the flavor crisp. Reposado tequila also works and gives the drink a slightly warmer, oakier taste.
- Orange liqueur options: Triple sec is budget-friendly and a little sweeter. Cointreau or Grand Marnier will taste stronger and more complex.
- Sweetness: Start with 2 tablespoons agave. Limes vary a lot, so you may need another teaspoon or two if your limes are very tart.
- For a thicker drink: Add 1/2 to 1 cup more ice and blend again. For a looser drink, add a splash of lime juice or orange liqueur, but go slowly so the flavor stays balanced.
Cook's note
Nutrition is calculated without the optional salted rim or lime wedge garnish. If you use a salted rim, sodium will increase depending on how much salt sticks to the glass and how much is consumed.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Can I make frozen margaritas without a high-speed blender?
Yes. Use smaller ice cubes or slightly crushed ice, and add the ice in two batches. Stop the blender often and stir the mixture only when the machine is off.
Can I use bottled lime juice?
You can, but fresh lime juice gives a brighter flavor. If bottled lime juice is your only option, taste before serving because it can be more bitter or flat.
Why is my frozen margarita too watery?
The ice may have melted during blending, or there may not be enough ice. Add another handful of ice and blend briefly. Serve in chilled glasses to slow melting.
How do I make it less strong?
Reduce the tequila to 1/2 cup and add 1/4 cup cold water or orange juice. The texture will still be slushy, but the drink will taste lighter.
Can I make a frozen margarita without orange liqueur?
Yes. Replace the orange liqueur with 2 tablespoons orange juice and add 1 to 2 extra teaspoons agave. The drink will be lower in alcohol and less classic, but still refreshing.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
4 drinks
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium1 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate16 g
- 6%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars14 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium4 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium31 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
You might also like
DrinksSpicy Margarita
This spicy margarita brings together fresh lime, smooth tequila, orange liqueur, and a little jalapeño heat. Shake it cold, rim the glass with salt or Tajín, and adjust the spice level to match your mood.
DrinksSimple Syrup
Simple syrup is the small kitchen staple that makes cold drinks taste smooth and balanced. Make a jar in about 10 minutes, then use it for iced coffee, lemonade, cocktails, mocktails, and fruit desserts.
DrinksClassic Mai Tai
This mai tai keeps close to the tiki bar classic: rum, fresh lime, orange curaçao, orgeat, and crushed ice. It is bright, nutty, and strong, with no pineapple juice needed.
DrinksBrazilian Lemonade
Creamy, tangy, and ice-cold, Brazilian lemonade is made with fresh limes, water, sugar, and sweetened condensed milk. It comes together fast in a blender and is especially good on a hot day.