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Fresh and light, this Skinny Margarita recipe is a delicious low-calorie cocktail made with just 4 ingredients: fresh lime juice, fresh orange juice, agave nectar, and high-quality tequila.
Get ready to party this summer with this refreshing Skinny Margarita in hand! It pairs perfectly with my Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos for dinner, or Chilaquiles for brunch!
Table of Contents
A Skinny Margarita is a low-calorie version of a classic margarita cocktail, typically made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec).
The “skinny” part refers to the fact that the drink is made with fewer calories and less sugar than a traditional margarita, often achieved by using fresh lime juice and a sugar substitute like agave nectar instead of a pre-made margarita mix which can be high in sugar and calories.
This version also omits the orange liqueur to further reduce the calorie count, using fresh squeezed juice instead. The result is a lighter, less sweet, refreshing cocktail that can be a healthier option for those watching their calorie intake.
Why You Should Make This Skinny Margarita Recipe
This Skinny Margarita is a low-calorie version of the classic Margarita cocktail, meaning it’s made with fewer calories and less sugar than a traditional margarita.
The result is a lighter, less sweet, refreshing cocktail that can be a healthier option for those watching their calorie intake.
You’ll want to give it a try because:
- No refined sugars – Made with agave nectar or honey, this cocktail is made with all natural sweeteners.
- Picher or single server – The recipe below makes one cocktail. For parties or girls’ night, you can make a pitcher of skinny margaritas to keep chilled in the fridge.
- Light and Refreshing – With heavier sweeteners, a cocktail can feel, well, heavy. With its citrus focused flavor, this cocktail is light and refreshing.
Key Ingredients For A Skinny Margarita
With only 4 ingredients, it’s important to source high-quality products, especially the tequila.
- Tequila – A top-shelf tequila will have little to no additives, while bottom-shelf, or well drinks, have additives that also increase the sugar and calories. Blanco Tequila sourced from 100% agave is best for margaritas. Source
- Fresh Orange Juice – Directly from the fruit will be the lowest in sugar and also have the freshest flavor. If using bottled, make sure it’s 100% juice.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Roll the lime on the counter with the palm of your hand a few times to get the juices flowing. You’ll get more juice out of it this way.
- Agave Nectar or Honey – Either will work. Honey is significantly lower in calories, but both are a more natural option.
- Ice – Clear, purified ice is best. You can get this at most grocery stores or even gas stations. Cubed ice is best – crushed or nugget ice melts too fast in the cocktail and can water it down.
- Lime Wedges – For wetting the rim and garnishing the glass.
- Salt – For the rim, optional.
How To Make Skinny Margaritas
See recipe card below for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Go around the edge of a Margarita glass or rocks glass with a lime wedge and dip into margarita salt. Fill the glass with ice.
- In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar and pour over ice.
- Shake for about 10-15 seconds, then strain into glasses over ice.
- Garnish with lime wedges and orange slices.
- Enjoy your delicious and refreshing cocktail!
How To Make Pitcher Margaritas
In the recipe card below, I’ve included instructions for making a single cocktail, or a big pitcher for a crowd.
It’s easy to make these margaritas for a crowd by multiplying them by the desired servings. Pour the ingredients into a pitcher, without ice. Chill the pitcher in the fridge or surround the pitcher with ice.
It’s important to note that you should not add ice to the pitcher or it will end up watering down your drink.
Cadillac Margarita
Have you tried a Cadillac Margarita? This is the best of the best and definitely worth a taste!
Recipe FAQs
Most bartenders should recognize the term “skinny margarita” so you can just order it by its name.
It will have some sugar, but the difference is it has no refined or processed sugar. The sugar in the agave is all-natural.
Since there’s no Gran Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec, there is less alcohol. They add calories and are replaced with fresh fruit juice and natural sweeteners instead.
You can make it in advance by preparing without ice. Store in the fridge in an airtight container then pour over ice when you’re ready to serve.
Expert Tips
- Sweetener: If you don’t want to use agave nectar in your margarita, use simple syrup or honey. However, the flavor will vary depending on what you use to sweeten the drink.
- Fresh Citrus: 100% fresh squeezed juice is best, but you can use prepared 100% juice instead.
- Customize: You can adjust the margarita’s flavor by using more or less of the ingredients.
- Shake, Shake, Shake! True margaritas are shaken, not stirred. Shake for about 20 seconds for a properly mixed and chilled cocktail.
Serving Suggestions
A cocktail glass without a garnish is just boring! Serve these with an extra wedge of lime, orange, or both!
As far as food goes, we have a whole list of recommended Mexican food that pairs wonderfully with the perfect margarita!
- Tacos – Ground Beef Tacos, Baked Chicken Tacos, Carne Asada Street Tacos, and Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos are the perfect main course.
- Enchiladas – Ground Beef Enchiladas, Chicken Enchiladas, or Cheese Enchiladas are delicious for a more sit down type meal.
- Appetizers – Homemade Mexican Pizza, 7 Layer Taco Dip, or Chips and Guacamole.
More Cocktail Recipes
Skinny Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 1/2 ounces fresh orange juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- Salt for rim optional
- Ice
- Lime or Orange wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Use a lime wedge around the edge of a rocks glass and dip into margarita salt. Fill glass with ice and set aside.
- In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake for about 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the margarita into the rocks glass.
- Garnish with lime wedges and orange slices.
- Enjoy your delicious and refreshing skinny margarita!
Notes
- Clear, purified ice is best. You can get this at most grocery stores or even gas stations.
- Cubed Ice is best – crushed or nugget ice melts too fast in the cocktail and can water it down.
- 100% fresh squeezed juice is best, but you can use prepared 100% juice instead
- You can make it in advance by preparing WITHOUT ice. Store in the fridge in an airtight container then pour over ice when ready to serve.
- Make for a crowd by multiplying by desired serving. Serve in a pitcher, without ice. Chill the pitcher in the fridge or by surrounding the pitcher with ice.
