Margaritas are one of my favorite drinks, and they’re so much fun to make at home! These are my best margarita recipes, from a classic margarita to fruity and frozen margaritas. I have you covered with tequila recommendations, plus helpful tips for preparing this easy cocktail, and 12+ of my favorite homemade variations made from scratch.
Your classic margarita is a refreshing cocktail made from tequila, orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau), and freshly squeezed lime juice. Margaritas can be shaken or frozen, and I haven’t met a version of this drink that I don’t love! There are loads of ways that you can adapt your standard margarita recipe, and I have so many variations that I thought I’d round them up in one place.
What Makes These Margarita Recipes So Good
- A margarita for every occasion. You’ll find all my best margarita recipes featuring fun twists on the classic, from spicy margaritas made with jalapeños to easy add-ins like cucumbers and berries, different flavors, and holiday versions.
- Easy to make. Whether they’re shaken, stirred, or frozen, these margarita recipes are always quick and easy to prepare. Even for beginners!
- Great for entertaining. Margaritas are a great cocktail to serve at parties or make for a crowd. You can easily prepare a big batch of them by combining the ingredients in a pitcher, except for ice, and chilling until serving. This is perfect for making in advance! Most of the margarita recipes I share below will have specific instructions, so make sure to follow the recipe.
Which Tequila Should I Use?
The best tequila for a margarita is one that you wouldn’t mind drinking on its own. You don’t need to buy top-shelf tequila to make any of the margarita recipes below; however, the better the quality of tequila you use, the better your margarita will taste. Patrón, Jose Cuervo, and Don Julio are popular tequila brands.
- Silver tequila (blanco) – My first choice for making margaritas. I find tequila blanco smoother and a bit sweeter than gold and reposado tequila. It’s easy to find good quality at a good price.
- Gold tequila – Also good for making margaritas if you prefer a slightly stronger flavor.
- Reposado (aged) – Tequila reposado tends to be more expensive, so I don’t usually reach for it when mixing cocktails. However, if you have one you’d like to use, it’ll add a deeper, smoother flavor to your drink.
- Mezcal – Technically its own spirit; Mezcal is made from agave, like tequila is. It has a roasted, smoky flavor, most commonly used in mezcal margarita recipes.
12+ Best Margarita Recipes
One thing I love about margaritas is that while you can never go wrong with a classic margarita, there are so many ways to switch it up! These margarita recipes are perfect for all seasons and all occasions.
Classic Variations
Chances are you’ve seen these margarita variations on a cocktail menu! These are homemade versions of popular margarita recipes featuring easy ingredients.
Blood Orange Margarita
With a bright, citrusy flavor and beautiful red-orange color, this blood orange margarita is sure to become a favorite. It’s easy to prepare for a crowd, too!
Spicy Margarita
Turn up the heat with this spicy margarita recipe! Jalapeno-infused tequila blends with fresh lime, orange juice, and agave for a cocktail that has just the right amount of spice.
The Ultimate Skinny Margarita
With only 132 calories per glass, drink as many of these skinny margaritas as you’d like, guilt-free! Made with just 4 ingredients, this refreshing low-cal margarita is a longtime favorite.
Cadillac Margarita
You can’t beat this classic. A Cadillac margarita will be your go-to summer cocktail made with tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and topped with it’s classic Grand Marnier floater then served over ice with a salt rim.
Margarita Mocktail
My refreshing margarita mocktail recipe has ALL the flavor without the alcohol. It’s a simple blend of fresh citrus juice, agave and sparkling water.
Holiday Margarita Recipes
Margaritas aren’t just for summertime sipping. They’re a wonderful cocktail to mix for the holidays, too. These easy recipes have plenty of festive flair!
Christmas Margarita
This 5-minute Christmas margarita recipe with fruit juice, tequila, and Grand Marnier is a sweet holiday cocktail for one.
White Christmas Margarita Pitcher
If you’re looking for a Christmas cocktail everyone will love, this White Christmas margarita made in a pitcher is it. With creamy coconut, lime juice, tequila, and cranberries, it looks festive while tasting light and refreshing.
Mistletoe Margarita
My festive mistletoe margarita is an easy holiday cocktail made with cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice and tequila for the perfect jolly sip.
Frozen Margaritas
It’s time to get out the blender! These frozen margarita recipes are perfect for poolside sipping, summer BBQs, potlucks, or to blend up just because.
Frozen Mango Margaritas
With a little kick from the spicy Tajin rim, these frozen mango margaritas are the perfect combination of sweet, tart, and refreshing. Perfect for hot summer days!
Blender Frozen Strawberry Margarita
These frozen strawberry margaritas are just the thing to cool you down on a hot summer day! You can even prepare them in advance. Perfect for summer parties!
Mixed Berry Frozen Margaritas
Made with fresh berries, agave, tequila, and fruit juice, these mixed berry frozen margaritas are perfect for a crowd. Smooth, refreshing, and super flavorful!
Creative Twists
These delicious homemade margaritas fall into what I like to call my “miscellaneous” category. I’ve combined my favorite cocktail with some of my favorite ingredients!
Thyme Blackberry Margaritas
Craving something different? Try these thyme blackberry margaritas! Simple to make, they have a unique flavor profile of citrus, berries, and thyme that you’re sure to love.
Pomegranate Margarita
These easy pomegranate margaritas are bright, refreshing, and perfect for enjoying year-round. They’re lovely poolside in the summer, but the color makes them perfect for holidays too.
Spicy Blackberry Margarita
This spicy blackberry margarita offers the best of both worlds: the jalapeno-infused tequila from my classic spicy marg, and sweet-tart blackberry simple syrup. The result is a cocktail that’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy!
How to Salt a Rim
The crown jewel of a margarita? The salted rim! A salted rim is a traditional finish on a classic margarita, though you’ll also find sugar rims and rims mixed with ingredients like spicy Tajin. Whichever kind of rim your recipe calls for, the steps are often similar and super easy:
- Moisten the rim. The easiest way to do this is by rubbing a lime wedge along the edge of the glass. If you’re opting for a sugared rim, you may want to dip the rim into simple syrup instead.
- Dip the rim into the salt. Dip the glass straight down into a shallow bowl of salt, and lift it out. Avoid twisting, as that can cause the salt to fall off. Tada! Your rimmed glass is ready for a margarita.
What to Serve with a Margarita
If you ask me, there’s nothing better than sipping on a tart, tangy margarita on a hot day. There’s also no better way to get a party started. Most of all, the best excuse for whipping up a margarita (or two) is Mexican food!
I love relaxing with friends, munching on some queso and chips, and sippin’ on a cold cocktail. Here are a few Mexican-inspired dishes that pair deliciously with a margarita:
- Tacos (steak tacos, fish tacos, chicken tacos… any tacos!)
- Mexican chopped salad
- Homemade salsa
- Chicken enchiladas
- Tostadas
