Skinny Margarita Recipe (2024)

co*cktails | Drink Recipes | Tex-Mex Recipes

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ThisSkinny Margarita Recipecombines silver tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and plenty of ice. These classic co*cktails contain zero refined sugar and are plenty strong. Rim the glasses with salt and lime wedges, and sip away!

Skinny Margarita Recipe (1)

Skinny Ritas

These Skinny Ritas are as good as they look. Actually, better! In fact, I’ll never EVER use that sugary pre-mix again.

The reason that these margaritas are SKINNY is because they containzero refined sugar.A regular margarita is made with simple syrup or that bottled pre-mix that is full of sugar. With our recipe, you are using high quality tequila and Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and a plant-based sweetener. You won’t miss the sugar.

Head’s up: These are strong. I recommend sipping very slowly. The ice will dilute these co*cktails, but they still contain plenty of alcohol.

Why This Recipe Works:

  • SIMPLE FOUR-INGREDIENT RECIPE– Just four simple ingredients – silver tequila, cointreau (or triple sec), freshly squeezed lime juice, and agave nectar. PLUS – lots of ice!
  • LOWER IN CALORIES– These low-calorie margaritas are sans refined sugar – meaning no simple syrup. Using a co*cktail shaker and plenty of ice dilutes the alcohol content and should not be skipped.
  • PACKS A PUNCH– These happy hour co*cktails are a little stronger than the normal margarita recipe because we’re not using fruit or juice.
  • PERFECT PARTY co*ckTAIL– We love making these in large batches. Combine the ingredients in a large pitcher and place in the refrigerator or freezer to chill. Then pour portions into a co*cktail shaker and make a couple of margs as needed. The perfect party drink!

The countdown is on to Cinco de Mayo, and these drinks are definitely making an appearance for a party. Remember to sip slowly, eat plenty, and most importantly, DON’T DRIVE.

Skinny Margarita Recipe (2)

Ingredients needed for Classic Skinny Margaritas:

  • Tequila– Use a good quality silver tequila (aka blanco tequila), because there is a lot of it in this co*cktail!
  • Triple Sec– Use Cointreau for best results. Or any orange liqueur like triple sec works as well.
  • Lime Juice– Use fresh limes and use a citrus press to squeeze about 6 ounces of juice from the limes. Or use your muscles. You’ll need about six large limes.
  • Agave Nectar– A natural sweetener that is derived from the sap of the blue agave plant. While blue agave is primarily associated with the production of tequila, agave syrup is a separate product made by extracting and processing the sweet sap, or “aguamiel,” from the core (piña) of the agave plant.
  • Ice Cubes– You’ll need plenty of ice to fill the glasses, and in the co*cktail shaker. Dilution of these margs are crucial, because they are quite strong.
  • Plus use coarse salt or kosher salt to rim the glasses, if desired.
Skinny Margarita Recipe (3)

How to make Skinny Margaritas on the Rocks:

Step 1
Prep a salt rim.Prepare your margarita glasses by running a lime wedge around the rims of the glasses. Dip the glasses in a small plate of salt. Fill your glasses about halfway with ice.

Skinny Margarita Recipe (4)

Step 2
Squeeze limes.Use a citrus press to squeeze enough limes to equal about six ounces of juice. You’ll need about six large limes.

Skinny Margarita Recipe (5)

Step 3
Add ingredients to co*cktail shaker. Add a bunch of ice to a large co*cktail shaker. Add the lime juice, silver tequila, Cointreau, and agave. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds..

NOTE: You may need to do this step in batches, depending on how many drinks you are making and how large your co*cktail shaker is.

Skinny Margarita Recipe (6)

Step 4
Pour. Pour the cold skinny margs into prepared glasses. Add a lime slice to the skinny co*cktails, and sip and enjoy!

What to serve with Skinny Margaritas:

We love Taco Tuesdays plus a good margarita. The following Mexican recipes are a must-make to pari with the best skinny margarita.

  • Chunky Guacamole – A super easy 5-ingredient recipe, that is just the right amount of spicy.
  • Crazy Good Corn Dip – A family recipe that we just can’t get enough of!
  • Pepper Jack Queso – You can never go wrong with queso. Just sayin.
  • Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers – These are a very popular appetizer on the blog, and for good reason!
Skinny Margarita Recipe (7)

Recipe FAQs:

Why are skinny margaritas a healthier option?

Skinny Margaritas are often considered healthier because they are made without refined sugar. The sweetness of these margaritas comes from agave nectar, providing a more natural alternative than simple syrup.

Can you customize the strength of skinny margaritas?

Yes, you can adjust the proportions of tequila and Cointreau to suit your preferences.

Can skinny margaritas be made in large batch form for parties?

You can scale up the recipe and prepare a pitcher of Skinny Margaritas a large party beverage.

Why add salt to the rims of the margarita glasses?

We enjoy rimming the glasses with salt to enhance the co*cktails. The salty rim is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the drink, creating a balanced flavor profile.

How can the calorie count be reduced further?

To further reduce calories, consider using a lower-calorie tequila or cutting back the amount of agave nectar. Additionally, try opting for smaller serving sizes.

How do I make this recipe into a frozen margarita?

Add the liquid ingredients to a large blender. Add several cups of ice and blend to thicken.

How can I make this classic margarita a little different?

Try adding fresh orange juice in addition to fresh lime juice for something a little different. Still the same refreshing flavor with low sugar content..

Other Margarita Recipes:

In addition to traditional margaritas, we enjoy these delicious recipes too.

  • Blackberry Peach Frozen Margaritas
  • Cherry Margaritas
  • Blood Orange Margaritas
  • Pineapple Coconut Margaritas
Skinny Margarita Recipe (8)

Kitchen Tools needed:

  • Citrus Press – This press comes in handy in many of my recipes.
  • Margarita Glasses – These are perfect for large servings!
  • co*cktail Shaker – Needed to make the margs cold and dilute them slightly. You could also use a mason jar.

Pleaselet me know if you try this recipe. Be sure to comment and leave a review on the blog so I can see what you think. You can also like my Facebook Page, follow me onPinterest, and catch me onInstagram.

xoxo ~Sue

Skinny Margarita Recipe (9)

Skinny Margarita Recipe

This Skinny Margarita Recipe combines silver tequila, Cointreau,fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and plenty of ice. These classic co*cktails contain zero refined sugar and are plenty strong. Rim the glasses with salt and lime wedges, and sip away!

5 from 10 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 251kcal

Author: Sue Ringsdorf

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. silver tequila – good quality
  • 4 oz. Cointreau – or triple sec
  • 6 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice (approx 6 limes) – NOT OPTIONAL
  • 2 Tablespoons agave syrup – optional
  • lots of ice
  • kosher salt for rim of glass
  • extra lime slices for serving

Instructions

  • Prep a salt rim.Prepare your margarita glasses by running a lime wedge around the rims of the glasses. Dip the glasses in a small plate of salt. Fill your glasses about halfway with ice.

  • Squeeze limes.Use a citrus press to squeeze enough limes to equal about six ounces of juice. You'll need about six large limes.

  • Add ingredients to co*cktail shaker. Add a bunch of ice to a large co*cktail shaker. Add the lime juice, silver tequila, Cointreau, and agave. Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds.

    NOTE: You may need to do this step in batches, depending on how many drinks you are making and how large your co*cktail shaker is.

  • Pour. Pour the cold skinny margs into prepared glasses. Add a lime slice to the skinny co*cktails, and sip and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can scale up the recipe and prepare a pitcher of Skinny Margaritas a large party beverage.
  • To make these into frozen margaritas, add the liquid ingredients to a large blender. Add several cups of ice and blend to thicken.
  • To further reduce calories, consider using a lower-calorie tequila or cutting back the amount of agave nectar. Additionally, try opting for smaller serving sizes.

Head’s up: These are strong. I recommend sipping very slowly. The ice will dilute these co*cktails, but they still contain plenty of alcohol.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 0.04g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 0.4mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @Suebeehomemaker or tag #suebeehomemaker!

Skinny Margarita Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is a skinny margarita made of? ›

1 1/2 ounces silver tequila about 3 tablespoons. 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 large or 1 1/2 small limes. 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice about 1/2 medium orange. 1 teaspoon light agave nectar add 2 if you prefer a sweeter margarita.

What do you get when you order a skinny margarita? ›

The “skinniest” option is a classic Margarita without any syrup at all. If you want a sweeter version without adding too many carbs, add some Xylitol simple syrup to avoid the sugar and calories of Agave. So if you're not sure what you're ordering, just talk to your bartender!

What does it mean for a margarita to be skinny? ›

A skinny margarita is a low-calorie version of a regular margarita. Instead of using orange liqueur like triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier, a skinny margarita uses fresh orange juice and a small amount of agave nectar.

What's the difference between a regular margarita and a skinny margarita? ›

A skinny margarita has less alcohol per co*cktail than a regular margarita. It has a total of 1 ounce of alcohol per co*cktail since it's made only with tequila, and a Classic Margarita has a total of 3 ounces of alcohol, 1.5oz of tequila, and 1.5 ounces of orange liquor.

Does skinny margarita have less alcohol? ›

In addition to the lower sugar content of skinny margaritas, a lower alcohol content is another explanation for their low-calorie status. Most lightened-up margaritas range from about 10- to 13-percent alcohol, while traditional margaritas can be as high as 30 percent.

Does skinny margarita have sugar in it? ›

Skip the sugar and still enjoy this delicious beverage with our low-calorie margarita. We've replaced the traditional triple sec and sugar with just tequila and lime juice—and it's just as tasty! The low-calorie margarita is called the skinny margarita because it's a skinny version of the classic tequila co*cktail.

How do you order a Skinny Margarita at a restaurant? ›

Order “Skinny” margarita, only it doesn't have fake sugar (you'll have to ask your server/bartender). Ask for light to no agave/simple syrup. Tequila neat/straight up with a lime. Ask to swap in Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier in place of a margarita mix, sugar, or agave.

What happened to Skinny Margarita? ›

They've taken the product off store shelves. In a statement released, the company said the Skinnygirl Margarita "had been offered in 16 of Whole Foods Market 310 stores. After discovering that it contains a preservative that does not meet our quality standards, we have had to stop selling it."

Are skinny margaritas better for you? ›

If you love margaritas but want to keep an eye on your health, skinny margaritas are a great choice. They cut down on sugar and calories without losing the classic taste we all enjoy. You can still have a good time without overloading on extra calories.

What is the healthiest drink to order at a bar? ›

10 healthiest alcoholic drinks
  • Tequila on the rocks.
  • Bloody Mary.
  • White wine spritzer.
  • Champagne.
  • Mulled wine.
  • Mojito.
  • Light beer.
  • FAQ.

What can I use instead of triple sec in a margarita? ›

If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For a non-alcoholic substitute you can add fresh orange juice, or agave nectar/simple syrup, to add a touch of sweetness.

Can I skip triple sec in margarita? ›

Instead of using Triple Sec or similar liqueur, start your homemade margarita with a mixture of equal parts tequila and freshly squeezed lime juice, about 2 ounces each per serving.

What makes a margarita fattening? ›

Margaritas can be high in sugar, depending on how they are made. Margaritas made from premade mixes, as well as restaurant margaritas, typically have more sugar than homemade ones. Consuming too many added sugars can lead to unwanted weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease ( 9 ).

What is better than a margarita? ›

Suppose you're looking for a healthier drink that has tequila instead of a margarita. In that case, a few options are the Paloma, a margarita with Pomegranate, or a margarita made with grapefruit juice.

How do you ask for a skinny margarita at a bar? ›

Order “Skinny” margarita, only it doesn't have fake sugar (you'll have to ask your server/bartender). Ask for light to no agave/simple syrup. Tequila neat/straight up with a lime. Ask to swap in Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier in place of a margarita mix, sugar, or agave.

What's the difference between a skinny margarita and ranch water? ›

Just fill a highball glass with ice, add tequila and lime juice, and top it off with sparkling mineral water like Top Chico. While the exact origin story is unclear, ranch water supposedly originated in Texas in the 1960s. It's comparable to a skinny margarita but without any added sweetener.

What is Skinnygirl Margarita sweetened with? ›

Lightly sweetened with agave nectar and made with premium, 100% Blue Agave Tequila. Only 100 calories.

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