Frozen Margaritas

August 29, 2011 Last updated on August 8, 2026 By Manu 74 Comments

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Ready for your next taco night, these Frozen Margaritas are cold, slushy, and refreshing, with sweet-tart citrus flavour and a classic salted rim.

Frozen margarita served in a coupe glass with a salted rim and lime slice on a charcoal stone surface.

Frozen Margaritas are a refreshing cocktail and a clever make-ahead option for entertaining. I discovered this recipe on Monica’s The Yummy Life through the Secret Recipe Club, and I couldn’t resist trying it.

These Frozen Margaritas bring back so many memories of our Central American road trip with each sip! They’re blended until smooth and can be enjoyed straight away or poured into mason jars and stored in the freezer until you’re ready to serve them.

Close-up of a frozen lime margarita showing its icy texture, salted rim and fresh lime garnish.

Isn’t it a clever idea? You can prepare all the Margaritas for your dinner party before your guests arrive, keep them in the freezer, then take them out when needed. No more spending the whole evening in the kitchen! Make some ahead and enjoy them while dreaming of a Mexican holiday!

Reasons to Make Make-Ahead Margaritas

Freezer storage gives you flexibility when planning drinks ahead of a gathering.
Great alongside Mexican-inspired meals, especially tacos, nachos and other casual favourites.
Sweet, tart and refreshing flavours give classic Margarita fans plenty to enjoy.

Key Ingredients for Frozen Margaritas

Tequila, orange liqueur, limeade concentrate, fresh limes and coarse salt arranged for making frozen margaritas.

Frozen Limeade Concentrate

Frozen limeade concentrate gives these Margaritas their sweet and tart lime flavour. Different brands can vary quite a bit in sweetness, strength, and even colour. I couldn’t find frozen limeade concentrate and used a green Soda Stream concentrate instead, which gave my Margaritas their greener colour.

Tequila

Tequila gives the Margaritas their distinctive agave flavour and pairs well with the lime and orange liqueur. A blanco or silver tequila works particularly well in frozen cocktails because of its lighter, crisp profile.

Triple Sec

Triple Sec adds orange flavour and sweetness, which balances the tart lime. I used Grand Marnier, but Triple Sec is a good option if you prefer a lighter orange flavour.

Kosher Salt or Margarita Salt

Kosher salt or Margarita salt adds a savoury contrast to the sweet and tart Margarita. I used coarse salt and blended it in a mixer for a few seconds to make it finer and easier to use around the rims.

Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.

How to Make Frozen Margaritas

Step 1: Add the limeade concentrate, tequila, Triple Sec or orange liqueur, and lime juice to a blender. Blend briefly until well combined.

Limeade, tequila and orange liqueur being mixed in a blender for Frozen Margaritas.

Step 2: Add the ice and blend until smooth, with no ice chunks remaining.

Ice added to the lime Margarita mixture before blending until smooth.

Step 3: Cut the remaining lime in half and rub it around the rims of the glasses. Dip the rims in salt to coat.

Margarita glass rim being dipped into salt on a plate.

Step 4: Garnish each glass with a slice of lime and serve.

Glass of Make-Ahead Margaritas with a salted rim and lime garnish, served with extra frozen mixture behind it.

Make-Ahead Mason Jar Margaritas

Step 1: Pour the blended Margaritas into ½ pint – 1 cup mason jars. Secure the lids and freeze.

Step 2: Remove the jars from the freezer and immediately invert them to dip the rims in salt while the Margaritas are still firmly frozen.

Step 3: Use a fork to break up and stir the semi-frozen Margaritas until they reach a slushy consistency.

Step 4: Serve immediately, or enjoy straight from the jar with a spoon, like a granita.

Make-ahead margarita in a mason jar being dipped in salt to coat the rim.

Step 5: Store the Margaritas in the freezer for up to a couple of weeks.

Frozen margarita in a salted glass with lime garnish, ready to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of tequila is best for this Frozen Margarita recipe?

Blanco or silver tequila works well because its agave flavour pairs well with lime and orange liqueur. Choose a tequila you enjoy drinking since its flavour will still come through in the finished cocktail.

Can I use Grand Marnier instead of Triple Sec?

Yes. Grand Marnier works well in place of Triple Sec and adds orange flavour to the Margarita. Manu used Grand Marnier in the original recipe.

How do I get a smooth, slushy Margarita?

Blend the mixture until no large ice chunks remain. If it’s too thick for your blender, stop and stir the ingredients before blending again rather than adding extra liquid.

What can I use to garnish Frozen Margaritas?

Fresh lime slices or wedges are the classic choice. You can also use a thin lime wheel while keeping the salted rim as the main finish.

Extra Help from the Kitchen

Chill the Glasses – Place the glasses in the freezer before preparing the Margaritas to help the drinks stay cold and slushy for longer.

Use Smaller Ice Cubes – Choose smaller ice cubes when possible so the blender can crush them more evenly without needing prolonged blending.

Measure the Alcohol Carefully – Stick to the listed quantities of tequila and orange liqueur, as additional alcohol can affect how firmly the make-ahead Margaritas freeze.

Leave Space in the Jars – Leave some room at the top of each mason jar before securing the lid to allow for expansion during freezing.

Use Wide-Mouthed Jars – Choose wide-mouthed mason jars for the make-ahead Margaritas to make it easier to break up and stir the semi-frozen mixture with a fork.

Variations and Twists

Frozen Strawberry Margaritas – Use frozen strawberries for a fruity twist with a thick, slushy texture. Reduce the ice slightly to account for the frozen fruit.

Frozen Watermelon Margaritas – Choose chilled or frozen watermelon for a lighter, fruitier version. Cut back on the ice slightly if needed to get your preferred consistency.

Frozen Mango Margaritas – Add frozen mango to the Margarita mixture for a thicker texture and sweeter fruit flavour, then reduce some of the ice as needed.

Spicy Frozen Margaritas – For a little heat, blend a few jalapeño slices with the other ingredients. Start with a small amount and adjust to your preference.

Frozen Peach Margaritas – Try frozen peach slices for a mellow fruit flavour and smooth texture. Adjust the amount of ice as needed.

Storage and Shelf Life

Store the Frozen Margaritas in airtight, freezer-safe mason jars in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. When ready to serve, remove a jar from the freezer and use a fork to break up and stir the semi-frozen Margarita until it reaches a slushy consistency.

Cocktails for Your Next Happy Hour