13 Most Popular Margarita Variations to Try

The margarita is a cocktail that has attained legendary status in the world of mixed drinks. This iconic blend of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur serves as a base for a myriad of delicious variations. Whether you prefer your drink on the rocks, blended into a frosty slush, or with a spicy twist, there’s a margarita out there to satisfy your palate.

If you’re a margarita purist, you might not think it’s necessary to drink any version but the simple original one, and while we love that classic style, we also like to change it up sometimes. You can add sweetness, introduce heat or a savory complexity, and experiment with adding fruit or herbal flavors. It’s a very versatile cocktail.

Just remember that the quality of your ingredients will heavily influence the outcome of your drink. Freshly squeezed lime juice, high-quality tequila, and the right sweetener are paramount. We’re not even going to consider adding sweet and sour mix to these margaritas. That’s where we draw the line.

Classic Margarita: The Foundation

The Classic Margarita is celebrated for its simplicity and balance, a cocktail that artfully brings together the sharpness of lime, the sweetness of orange liqueur, and the robustness of tequila.

Essential Ingredients

The creation of a Classic Margarita requires a few key ingredients that ought to be of the highest quality:

• Tequila: The best margaritas use 100% agave tequila, primarily in the blanco or silver varieties, which lend a clean, crisp taste to your cocktail.
• Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is non-negotiable. It provides the zesty citrus flavor.
• Orange Liqueur: Triple sec or Cointreau add the subtle sweetness and orange essence to balance the tartness of the lime.
• Agave Nectar (optional): You might want add a touch of agave nectar or simple syrup for sweetness.
• Ice: Ice helps to meld the flavors together smoothly and chill it to the appropriate temperature.
• Salt: A salted rim is traditional and enhances the drinking experience.

13 Variations to Try

Classic Margarita

Made with tequila, triple sec, and freshly squeezed lime juice, this timeless cocktail is served in a salt-rimmed glass for a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 ounce orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• A pinch of salt or sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge for garnish

Strawberry Margarita

This fruity twist on the classic margarita includes fresh or frozen strawberries blended with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a touch of simple syrup for a refreshing and sweet taste.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup fresh strawberries (plus a few more for garnish)
• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 ounce orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• A pinch of salt or sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge and a strawberry for garnish

Mango Margarita

A tropical delight, the mango margarita features ripe mangoes blended with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a splash of orange juice for a luscious and exotic flavor.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup ripe mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 ounce orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust according to your taste preference)
• Ice cubes
• Salt or sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge and a small mango slice for garnish

Blue Margarita

This visually striking variation adds blue curaçao to the classic margarita ingredients, resulting in a vibrant blue cocktail with a hint of orange flavor, perfect for adding a pop of color to any gathering.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 ounce blue curaçao
• 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• Ice cubes
• Salt or sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge for garnish

Pineapple Coconut Margarita

This variation combines the tangy sweetness of pineapple juice with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, offering a refreshing and tropical take on the traditional margarita. We’ve featured our pineapple coconut margarita in the image above.

Ingredients

• 2 oz pineapple
• 1 oz coconut milk
• 1.5 oz tequila
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec
• 1 cup ice (small cubes)
• 1 tbsp shredded coconut (for the rim)

Watermelon Margarita

With its vibrant pink hue and crisp, juicy flavor, the watermelon margarita pairs fresh watermelon juice with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a hint of agave nectar for a summery and invigorating drink.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup seedless watermelon pieces
• 4 ounces tequila
• 1 ounces Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
• 1 ounces simple syrup
• 2 ounce lime juice
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Spicy Jalapeño Margarita

For those who enjoy a kick of heat, the spicy jalapeño margarita features muddled jalapeño slices mixed with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a touch of jalapeno simple syrup, creating a spicy and refreshing cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 1/2 -1 tablespoon jalapeno simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 2-3 slices of fresh jalapeño (more or less depending on your heat preference)
• Ice cubes
• Salt for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge and a jalapeño slice for garnish

Cucumber Margarita

Light and refreshing, the cucumber margarita incorporates muddled cucumber slices with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a splash of simple syrup, resulting in a crisp and rejuvenating drink with a hint of earthiness.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust according to taste)
• 3-4 slices of fresh cucumber (plus more for garnish)
• Ice cubes
• Salt for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge and a cucumber slice for garnish

Blood Orange Margarita

Featuring the unique and vibrant flavor of blood oranges, this blood orange margarita includes blood orange juice mixed with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and a touch of agave nectar for a tangy and visually stunning cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (juice from half a lime)
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1 1/2 ounce blood orange juice (juice from 1 orange)
• Rim salt

Peach Mezcal Margarita

We love the sweet and smoky flavor or a peach mezcal margarita. You need to use a really ripe peach for the best flavor. The mezcal doesn’t have to be a top shelf expensive one. If you don’t have mezcal, you can use tequila. Give it a salt rim or try a sugar rim for a different variation!

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (juice from half a lime)
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1/2 ripe peach, peeled and chopped
• Agave or simple syrup for extra sweetness, if desired
• Rim salt or sugar

Blend the ingredients in a blender to incorporate the peach.

Blueberry Margarita

This simply delicious blueberry margarita is less sweet than some of the fruity variations on this list. We like it because the blueberry adds just a touch of sweetness and a lot of color. It’s also milder in acidity than the classic margarita, so it’s easier to drink.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (juice from half a lime)
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1/2 cup ripe blueberries
• Agave or simple syrup for extra sweetness, if desired
• Rim salt or sugar

Blend the ingredients (without the ice) in a blender to incorporate the blueberries. Strain the liquid through a sieve for a pulp-free drink. Serve it over ice with mint.

Spicy Watermelon Margarita

Inject a little heat into your margarita with a spicy version that’ll tingle your taste buds. One of my favorites is a spicy watermelon margarita. Those flavors just go really well together. You can make it as spicy or mild as you like by adding more or less jalapeno.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1 cup cubed watermelon
• 2-3 slices of fresh jalapeño (adjust based on your preference for heat)
• Ice cubes
• Salt or Tajín for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge and a watermelon slice for garnish

Blend the watermelon and jalapeño slices (remove seeds for less heat) with the liquid ingredients for a smooth, refreshing, and fiery kick that’s perfect for summer gatherings or as a vibrant twist on the classic margarita.

Spicy Mango Mezcal Margarita

For those with a penchant for creativity, mezcal margaritas offer a smoky base. Combine mezcal with Grand Marnier to balance the smokiness with a touch of refined sweetness. If you’re drawn to bolder profiles, blend marmalade into your mixture, creating a sangria margarita that unites sweet, sour, and bitter in one glass.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces mezcal
• 1 ounce lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (like Triple Sec or Cointreau)
• 1/2 tablespoon agave syrup or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup ripe mango chunks (fresh or frozen)
• 2-3 slices of fresh jalapeño (adjust according to your spice preference)
• Ice cubes
• Salt or Tajín for rimming the glass (optional)
• Lime wedge and a mango slice for garnish

This mix creates a cocktail with a complex flavor profile that’s simultaneously smoky, sweet, and spicy, perfect for those who enjoy a drink with depth and character.

Glassware and Garnishes

When serving a margarita, the traditional choice of glassware is the iconic margarita glass, shaped to highlight the cocktail’s signature look. Alternatively, a rocks glass also suffices, particularly for margaritas served on the rocks. For a more refined presentation, consider chilling the glasses beforehand to keep the drink cold.

Garnishing your margarita adds both visual appeal and flavor complexity. A salted rim is classic—dip the glass in lime juice and then into salt. A wedge of lime is a must for both aesthetics and the option to add extra citrus. Get creative with other garnishes like:

• A sprig of mint for a fresh aroma
• A slice of dehydrated lime for a sophisticated touch
• A skewer of cranberries for a pop of color and a hint of tartness
• A rim of sugar or a mix of sugar and salt for sweeter margarita recipes

Like this post? We’d love for you to save it to your Pinterest board to share with others! FOLLOW US on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook for more great recipes! If you made it, post a pic on Instagram and hashtag it #savoredsips