Classic Frozen Margarita Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does a frozen margarita contain? ›

Frozen Margaritas

This frozen margarita recipe is easy to make with frozen limeade concentrate, tequila, triple sec, and crushed ice. It's an easy twist on a classic margarita co*cktail!

But beware: The margarita will taste boozier, too. Those slushy-like frozen margaritas often don't taste as alcoholic as on the rocks because you are consuming ice with the margarita liquid, which is why a frozen margarita will taste colder than one on the rocks.

Watch How to Make Margaritas

The secret to the perfect margarita, we discovered, is to skip Cointreau/orange liqueur altogether and replace it with freshly squeezed orange juice. The difference is remarkable. On Wednesday, to celebrate, I made these margaritas for my friends Alissa and Jordan.

What is a margarita? One of the world's most famous, and most-loved, co*cktails, the margarita is sharp refreshing blend of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice. It's often served in a salt-rimmed glass.

Frozen Margaritas Have More Texture

These tiny beads of ice don't just make your drink as cold as possible, they also add a nice bit of texture that many drinks lack. This lets you drink it slowly through a straw or quickly from the rim of the glass.

Best Tequila for Ultra-Smooth Margaritas: Roca Patrón Silver

“ Patrón Roca Silver , which is made using the ancient tahona method of using a large stone wheel to crush the agave in a pit, is among the best tequila for margaritas because it's bright, fresh, and additive-free.”

The classic margarita calls for Cointreau (plus good silver tequila and fresh lime juice). Because its flavor is uncomplicated by spice notes, Cointreau is very adaptable in blending, and shakes up beautifully with clear spirits as well as with brandies, and darker, aged liquors.

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.

For frozen margaritas, I add at least a full ounce of simple syrup. While this brings balance to the drink, there's an extra benefit. Sugar lowers the freezing point of the mixture more than alcohol alone, giving your drink a smoother texture. With my trusty Vitamix, it comes out as smooth as silk.

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.

Why is it called a dirty margarita? ›

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.

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.

In the end, a good Margarita is a question of proportions. It is a simple formula: 2 – 1 – ½ . 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime juice, ½ part cointreau. I like to measure in ounces, because the correct proportions, measured as 2 ounces, 1 ounce, ½ ounces make the perfect sized drink for the glasses I like to use.

Drinking Experience

Enjoying a drink on the rocks differs from the experience of drinking a frozen one. The latter provides more texture and looks fancier. It makes you feel like you're enjoying a grown-up slushie on vacation. Frozen drinks are the epitome of tropical getaways, making them a symbol of relaxation.

To balance the co*cktail's acidity, triple sec is absolutely necessary for traditional Margaritas, according to Bailon. “Without triple sec, we fall into a different co*cktail category, which is the sour,” she explains.

Whether the margarita is frozen or on the rocks: A frozen margarita contains more calories and alcohol than a non-frozen margarita. The size of the margarita: A larger margarita will contain more calories and alcohol than a smaller one.

Frozen margarita mixers tend to contain a lot of processed sugar and calories that provide no nutritional value.

— 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.

The main difference is the alcohol in each co*cktail. Margaritas are made with tequila and sweetened with triple sec, while daiquiris are made with white rum and simple syrup for sweetener. Their common ingredients are lime juice, lots of ice and sometimes fruit juices.