Whether it is a hot day on the beach or a relaxing night by the pool at home, a frozen margarita is one of the best libations to enjoy!
If you want something different from the classic margarita, having it frozen is the way to go! It has the same tequila kick but is colder, which can make it refreshing.
The good thing is that making frozen margaritas is easy! You do not need to be an expert bartender to whip up a mouthwatering drink. Read on and learn from some of the tips we’ll share on how to make frozen margaritas.

But First, What is a Margarita?
For those who do not know, margarita belongs to the family of sour cocktails. Traditionally, it has three main ingredients – tequila, lime juice, and triple sec orange liqueur. It is served in a glass with salt on the rim.
Today, however, many variations are available, depending on personal preferences. Especially if you are making one on your own, you can add various flavors, such as strawberry or lychee.
Margarita is a Spanish word that means “daisy” in English. The latter is believed to be a reference to the daisy cocktail category, which has been popular since the early 20th century. These cocktails were made using citrus juice with a fortified base spirit and liqueur as a sweetener.
How to Make Frozen Margaritas Like A Pro
Boozy, slushy, and refreshing, a frozen margarita is a great drink! This is especially a good choice when it is hot outside. Even at home, this cocktail is reminiscent of the good days by the beach!
Classic Frozen Margarita
If you want to keep things simple, this classic margarita recipe is for you. It is perfect for those who like the traditional margarita but would like to level up their drink a bit by making it slushy, perfect to cool off in a hot summer.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup tequila
- ½ cup triple sec
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- Lime wedges
- 4 to 6 cups of ice
- Kosher salt
Directions:
- In a blender, mix tequila, lime juice, sweetener, and ice. Blend until it is lump-free, and you achieve the desired consistency.
- Moist the rim of the glass using a lime wedge. On a plate, spread kosher salt, put the glass upside down, and press for the salt to hold into the rim.
- Flip the glass and fill it with the frozen margarita. Serve and enjoy!
Flavored Frozen Margarita
Bored with the classic margarita flavors? Do you want a different kind of drinking experience? Then we recommend adding fruity flavors to your concoction. Whether you like it sweet, tangy, or any other flavor, you can add various fruits to the mix.
Ingredients:
- Tequila
- Orange liqueur
- Fresh fruit or juice
- Simple syrup
- Ice
Directions:
- If you do not have a simple syrup ready, the first step is to make one yourself. Heat water and sugar in a pot, making sure to keep on stirring. Take it off the heat once the sugar dissolves.
- Blend tequila, orange liqueur, ice, and your choice of fruits. You can go for fresh fruits or opt for juices if you want it to be more convenient. Some of the best choices are strawberries, mangos, and lychees.
- Grab a lime wedge to moisten the rim of the glass. Dip the top on a plate with salt, fill with the frozen margarita, and enjoy!
Picking the Right Tequila
When making frozen margaritas, one of the most important is your choice of tequila. It is the base and main ingredient, and hence, the overall quality of the cocktail will depend on the quality of the tequila that you are using.
Make sure that you are using only authentic tequila. Hence, it should be from one of these Mexican regions – Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Nayarit, Michoacan, and Guanajuato. With such, you can be sure that they are made following global and traditional standards.
More so, you should look at the label. It should have 100% agave indicated. If not, then it means that it contains sugar, corn syrup, and other artificial flavors that will lower the quality of your drink, especially for those with discerning preferences.
The best choice is silver or blanco tequila when making frozen margaritas. It is oak-aged for only two months, which means that it is young. It has strong flavors that will mix well with the other ingredients that you will use for your cocktail.
Avoid using gold tequila in a frozen margarita. They have been aged longer, which gives the liquor a woody flavor. The golden color can also affect the final look of your cocktail. This tequila is best to be taken as a straight shot instead of being mixed in cocktails.
Tips and Tricks When Making Frozen Margarita
Your choice of tequila is just one of the many things that can help make the perfect frozen margarita. Level up your slushy cocktail by taking note of the things we’ll talk about below.
1. Use The Right Amount of Ice
Measuring ice is crucial in achieving the right flavors in your drink. Using too little ice can make the flavors overpowering, including the alcohol. On the other hand, using more ice than necessary can result in dilution.
2. Go For Fresh Ingredients
Lime juice is one of the main ingredients in a frozen margarita. This is responsible for giving the drink its sour kick. It might be convenient to use prepared lime juice, but such will not have the same good flavors as freshly-squeezed lime juice.
The same thing is true when you plan to make flavored margaritas. Using ready-made juices might seem like a time-saver. Nonetheless, if you want optimal flavors in a refreshing cocktail, you cannot go wrong with using fresh fruits instead.
3. Mind the Sugar Content
Sugar in a frozen margarita is from the simple syrup. Make sure that it has enough sugar content. This is important not just for the best flavors but also for achieving the right consistency. This is crucial in getting a good texture in your cocktail.
With the right amount of sugar, you can ensure proper cohesion in your drink. It prevents big ice chunks from being in the cocktail. The amount of sugar in frozen margarita should be about 50% higher than the standard measurement when making a classic margarita.
4. Pay Attention to the Alcohol Level
Ideally, the ABV range of the tequila that you should use in a frozen margarita should range from 10 to 14%. The freezing point of a cocktail becomes lower when you add alcohol and sugar. Hence, with too much alcohol, your cocktail will appear watered down.
With the right amount of alcohol, it is easier to make your cocktail slushy. It will have a creamy texture, which also makes it easier to drink.
5. Keep It Cool
No one wants a warm frozen margarita! After all, it is called frozen, so it should be cold. The trick is to make it just in time and enjoy it as soon as possible. If you are having a big party, you can make a large batch and store it in the freezer or fridge until it is ready to be consumed.
Another trick that can help is to use frozen ingredients. Especially if you are making flavored frozen margaritas, you can freeze the fruits ahead, which will make the cocktail cooler once it is made.
6. Serve on the Right Glass
For the best experience, serve frozen margaritas in a proper glass. This will level up your experience, making you feel like you are in a fancy bar even when you are just drinking at home. You need a glass with a stem, which will make it comfortable to hold a frozen drink.