Our best margarita recipes! They include the classic tequila cocktail as well as fruity, spicy, and frozen twists. Try one to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
Break out the tequila—let’s make margaritas! These margarita recipes range from the classic combination of tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave to fruity margaritas, frozen margaritas, jalapeño-infused drinks, and more. They’re all refreshing, delicious, and easy to make.
With Cinco de Mayo coming up next week, almost everyone where I live in Austin, Texas will be sipping a margarita this weekend. Often confused with Mexican Independence Day (September 16), Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In Austin, it feels like a broader celebration of Mexican-American heritage, and margaritas are always part of it.
Rather than ordering one out at a restaurant, I like to make one of these easy margarita recipes at home. Join me this weekend—you can whip one up in 15 minutes or less!
Our Best Margarita Recipes
Classic Margarita
This 4-ingredient recipe is my take on the classic—perfectly tart and lightly sweet. As written, this recipe makes a single serving, but you can easily scale it up to make a pitcher of margaritas for a crowd!
A few fun variations on this classic cocktail recipe:
- Skip the sweetener to make a “skinny margarita.”
- Use reposado tequila and Grand Marnier to make a top-shelf Cadillac margarita.
- For a lower-proof cocktail, replace the orange liqueur with orange juice.
Find detailed instructions in the margarita recipe blog post!
Strawberry Margarita
I love sipping this ruby red cocktail in spring and early summer! Fresh strawberry puree gives it its bold color and fruity flavor. Tip: Sweeten it with basil simple syrup and garnish it with basil leaves for an extra-fresh and aromatic taste.
Spicy Margarita
Possibly my favorite margarita recipe on this list, this drink gets a spicy kick from fresh jalapeños and a Tajín rim. It’s the ultimate cocktail for a hot day!
Mango Margarita
Are you a fan of frozen margaritas? Put these frozen mango margaritas at the top of your list to try! Easy to make in the blender, they have a delicious frosty texture. Give your glass a salt rim and garnish it with a lime wedge to take this sweet-tart drink over the top.
Watermelon Margarita
You don’t need any agave or simple syrup to make these margs—they’re naturally sweetened with blended watermelon! I like to add jalapeños to make them spicy, but that’s totally optional. Feel free to skip them to let the fruity flavor shine through.
Cranberry Margarita
This is my go-to margarita recipe in the fall and winter, and its extra-tart flavor makes it a refreshing option for spring and summer too. I like to garnish it with a sprig of rosemary from my garden, but a lime wheel works just as well if you don’t have any rosemary on hand.
More Tequila Cocktails You’ll Love
Paloma Cocktail
Ok, I hear you—a paloma cocktail is not technically a margarita. But, made with tequila, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice, and agave, it comes pretty darn close and tastes just as good. It’s one of our favorite cocktails to make throughout the spring and summer!
Ranch Water
This 3-ingredient cocktail is a favorite here in Austin. A simple combination of tequila, freshly squeezed lime juice, and sparkling water, it’s like a fizzy twist on a margarita without the triple sec. If you think a classic marg is too sweet, ranch water is for you!
More Refreshing Cocktail Recipes
Looking for more refreshing cocktail recipes? Check out these 20 Easy Summer Cocktails next!
