Best Ever Frozen Margarita Recipe + Video

This Frozen Margarita Recipe, made with Jose Cuervo Gold, is the best frozen margarita recipe you’ll find! It’s everything you crave in a classic… smooth, slushy, and bursting with bright citrus flavor. It’s the ultimate sippable vacation in a glass, perfect when the weather is hot hot hot!

Frozen Margarita Recipe

Listen, tequila is my love language. And I’ve had my fair share of margaritas over the years. Some good, some unforgettable… and some we don’t talk about. 

But this frozen margarita? She’s the gold standard!!! Slushy, zesty, bold where it counts, and so smooth you’ll swear you’re on vacation after the first sip. 

No fancy ingredients, no bar tools required… just a blender, some ice, and a little party in your glass.

And you know we’re making these from scratch. Bottled margarita mix is just too sweet, and it only takes a few extra seconds to do it right.

Cheers, my friend. You’re about to make your best margarita yet!

Once you’ve got this frozen margarita recipe down, it’s time to get adventurous…

This perfectly peach version is just right for lazy summer days, while my Puckered Jalapeno Marg is for all of you who prefer a little bite to your cocktails.

And for ladies’ night? Serve up a pitcher of strawberry lime blended margaritas with all your favorite snacks and desserts!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

• Tequila – I’m partial to Jose Cuervo Gold for a more complex flavor, while others prefer blanco or silver tequila. Try both and see which you like better!
  
• Lime Juice – Use either freshly-squeezed juice or the bottled kind found with the cocktail mixers (not from the produce section).
  
  Rose’s Lime Juice is the top choice for drinks, though you may need less simple syrup since it’s already sweetened.
  
• Triple Sec – This is an orange-flavored liqueur that helps balance the tartness of the lime. Swap it with Grand Marnier or Cointreau for a smoother, more citrusy flavor.
  
• Simple Syrup – It’s easy to make this yourself, but I won’t judge if you grab a bottle from the store. Be sure it’s a higher quality version in that case.
  
  Otherwise, combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan and simmer until the mixture is fully dissolved and slightly thickened.
  
  Let it cool, then use what you need and keep the rest in the fridge for later.

How to Make Frozen Margaritas

Before you get started, rim your margarita glasses with salt and pop them in the freezer to chill.

Carefully measure all of the liquids into a blender, then add the ice.

Blend on high right from the start instead of gradually increasing the speed. This is what makes this frozen margarita recipe the best!

Once the consistency is smooth and slushy, switch it off and let everything settle. Check for any ice chunks and pulse as needed to break them up.

Then, pull the glasses out of the freezer and fill. Add a slice of lime to each frozen marg and start sipping!

When it comes to tequila cocktails, I don’t mess around. I’ve blended, shaken, and stirred margaritas every which way, and this frozen version always delivers. 

It’s all about the balance: bold Jose Cuervo Gold, fresh lime juice, a splash of triple sec, and just enough simple syrup to round it out. 

Blending the ice with the liquids instead of dumping everything in at once helps you hit that perfect slush texture: smooth, not chunky.

And rimming the glass with salt? That’s not optional. It’s essential. Trust me, this is the margarita recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

How to Rim a Margarita Glass

• Step 1: Fill a shallow bowl or rimmed plate with a thin layer of coarse salt.
  
• Step 2: Cut a lime into wedges, then make a shallow slice in the center of the fleshy part. Rest the wedge on the rim of the glass and run it all the way around to coat the entire rim in juice.
  
• Step 3: Gently flip the glass and dip it into the coarse salt, until the rim is evenly coated.

For a fun variation, you can color the salt with a drop or two of food coloring! Match the color of the salt to your party theme, or coordinate it with the flavor of your frozen marg. 

If people prefer a sweet rim, then sanding sugar will do the trick.

Flavor Variations

• Cadillac Style: Float a splash of Grand Marnier on top before serving.
  
• Spicy Margarita: Add a few slices of fresh jalapeño to the blender.
  
• Citrus Swap: Instead of lime, use freshly squeezed juice from a Meyer Lemon, grapefruit, blood orange, or tangerine.
  
• Tropical Coconut Margarita: Replace triple sec with coconut liqueur and garnish with toasted coconut.
  
• Skinny Version: Omit the simple syrup and use fresh lime juice only.

Serving Suggestions

Margaritas go wonderfully with both chicken and shrimp, especially if they have lime juice as part of the recipe. 

And, of course, you need one anytime Mexican is on the menu! Some of my favorite food pairings include:

• Strawberry Mango Salsa
• Chili Lime Chicken Taquitos
• Sheet Pan Nachos
• Cajun Shrimp Pasta
• Boozy Margarita Cupcakes

Frozen Margarita FAQ

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Originally published 4/12/12, updated and republished August 2025

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