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frozen margarita cocktail recipe

Frozen Margarita

Frosty, refreshing, and incredibly easy to make! This restaurant-style frozen margarita uses fresh lime juice and smooth tequila blended into a perfectly slushy summer cocktail.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: American, Mexican-American
Calories: 260
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Blanco silver tequila
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice about 4 to 5 large limes
  • 1/2 cup orange liqueur like Triple Sec or Cointreau
  • 1/4 cup agave nectar or simple syrup
  • 4 to 5 cups ice cubes
  • Kosher salt or coarse sea salt for rimming the glasses
  • 1 lime cut into wedges for rimming and garnishing

Equipment

  • High-powered blender
  • Handheld citrus juicer
  • Liquid measuring cup or jigger
  • Margarita glasses

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Glasses: Run a fresh lime wedge around the outer rim of four margarita glasses. Dip the moistened rims into a small, shallow plate filled with kosher salt to coat the edges. Set the glasses aside.
  2. Combine the Liquids: In the pitcher of a high-powered blender, pour in the blanco tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave nectar.
  3. Add Ice and Blend: Add 4 cups of ice cubes to the blender. Secure the lid tightly. Start blending on a low speed to break up the large ice cubes, then gradually increase to high speed. Blend for 30 to 45 seconds until the mixture is completely smooth, thick, and slushy.
  4. Adjust the Consistency: Stop the blender and check the texture. If the margarita is too thin and watery, add another cup of ice and blend again. If it is too thick to pour, add a tiny splash of water or extra lime juice.
  5. Pour and Serve: Pour the frosty, blended margarita mixture immediately into your prepared salt-rimmed glasses.
  6. Garnish: Garnish the rim of each glass with a fresh lime wedge or wheel. Serve immediately with a straw before it begins to melt!

Notes

Choosing the Tequila: For a frozen margarita, a Blanco (silver) tequila is absolutely the best choice. It has a clean, crisp, and bright flavor profile that cuts through the ice and pairs perfectly with the fresh citrus without getting lost in the slush.
The Secret to Slush: Using a high-powered blender is key to getting that ultra-smooth, restaurant-quality slush without any large, crunchy chunks of ice remaining in your glass.
Make it Fruity: This classic base is incredibly versatile. You can easily turn this into a frozen strawberry or mango margarita by adding 2 cups of frozen fruit to the blender and reducing the plain ice cubes down to 2 cups.