A good margarita starts with a great mix, and this homemade Margarita Mix is the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Made with fresh lime juice and a simple syrup base, this mix brings bold citrus flavor with natural ingredients. Use it to craft our classic margarita or add it to other cocktails for a zesty twist.
Whether you're hosting a Cinco de Mayo bash, backyard party or are just want a refreshing drink with real fruit juices on your patio, every sip will taste like summer. With no artificial flavors, this natural mix will is perfect for more than just a traditional margarita. This recipe will make enough for you to while up a whole margarita pitcher or you can cut it in half for a small batch.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Margarita Mix
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make the Best Margarita Mix
- MARGARITA MIX:
- CLASSIC MARGARITA:
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Use Margarita Mix
- What to Serve with the Best Margarita Mix
- Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About Margarita Mix
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Margarita Mix Recipe
This easy recipe was inspired by my Cinco de Mayo menu that I created for myself with some of my favorites. Here are some other recipes you might like to try: Guac and Chips, Pickled Red Onions, Gluten Free Enchilada Sauce, Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas, Spaghetti Squash Enchilada Boats, Southwest Chicken Casserole, Mexican Candy Shot or my Frozen Strawberry Margarita.
Why You Will Love This Margarita Mix
- Fresh & Natural: Made with real lime juice concentrate and a simple syrup base, all natural flavors and no preservatives.
- Versatile: Perfect for margaritas but also great in other cocktails or mocktails.
- Easy to Make: Just three ingredients and a few minutes of prep.
- Make Ahead: Stores well in the fridge for up to two weeks, so you can always have it on hand.
Ingredients
With just 3 simple ingredients, you will be ready to make this margarita mix in no time. I also put together a perfect margarita recipe for you to enjoy with it!
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Granulated Sugar & Water: Use as the base of a thin simple syrup base in this margarita mix, to offer its sweetness.
- Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice: A tart and citrus profile that is key to a margarita!
- Silver Tequila: The main alcohol used in a margarita cocktail, grab your favorite tequila for this one!
- Cointreau: Offers a light orange flavor that balances the tequila and complements the lime flavor of the margarita mix.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, shot glass and an airtight jar with a lid.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few ways to change up this simple recipe.
- Granulated Sugar: Swap for pure cane sugar, honey or organic agave syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Lime Juice: Try a mix of lemon and lime juice for a slightly different citrus kick.
- Cointreau: Substitute with triple sec or Grand Marnier in the margarita recipe.
How to Make the Best Margarita Mix
Check out how quick and easy it is to make this margarita mix.
MARGARITA MIX:
Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Cool the mixture in a jar before adding in the lime juice.
Store in a mason jar for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Hint: Bottled juice won’t give the same bright, fresh flavor, be sure to use fresh lime juice for a premium margarita mix.
CLASSIC MARGARITA:
If rimming your glass, rum a lime wedge along the rim, then dip in sea salt on a shallow plate.
In a cocktail shaker with ice pour silver tequila, Cointreau and margarita mix.
Shake until chilled, then strain into your salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a wedge of fresh lime.
Hint: Opt for a 100% agave silver tequila for the best smooth and crisp margarita. Lower-quality tequila can result in a harsher taste.
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How to Use Margarita Mix
You will love having your own margarita mix at your fingertips!
- Classic Margaritas: Shake with tequila for a perfectly balanced cocktail as we shared above.
- Frozen Margarita: Blend with ice and tequila for a slushy, refreshing twist. Try our frozen strawberry margarita.
- Spicy Margaritas: Add fresh jalapeño slices for a bold, fiery kick.
- Mocktails: Mix with sparkling water or soda for a citrusy non-alcoholic drink.
- Paloma Twist: Swap out grapefruit juice for margarita mix in a Paloma for a tangy variation.
- Margarita Mule: Mix with ginger beer and lime for a zesty, tequila-based Moscow Mule.
- Citrus Spritz: Combine with Prosecco or sparkling wine for a bubbly, citrus-forward cocktail.
- Margarita Lemonade: Stir into our strawberry lemonade for a tart, refreshing summer drink.
What to Serve with the Best Margarita Mix
A classic margarita or anything that uses this margarita mix, pairs with many Mexican dishes. We have a lot of options to choose from or inspire you.
- Guacamole and Chips: The creamy, tangy flavors of guacamole combined with salty, crunchy chips complement the bright citrus notes of a margarita.
- Pork Carnitas: The rich, savory flavors of cooked pork contrast beautifully with the tart and slightly sweet margarita, making for a balanced bite.
- Spaghetti Squash Enchiladas: A lighter, veggie-forward take on enchiladas that pairs well with the refreshing citrus of a margarita.
- Chicken Enchiladas: Our cheesy enchiladas are a great pairing, as the margarita’s acidity cuts through the richness for a well-rounded meal.
- Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken: The smoky, spiced flavors of this shredded chicken work perfectly with the citrusy brightness of a margarita. Try our delicious crockpot Mexican chicken recipe.
- Shrimp Tacos: Light, fresh seafood pairs wonderfully with the citrus and tequila notes, creating a refreshing balance.
- Street Corn (Elote): The creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy flavors of Mexican street corn make a bold pairing with a margarita’s zesty profile.
Top Tips
Here are some of our top tips to make the best margarita mix for your next cocktail!
- Dissolve the Sugar Completely: This ensures a smooth mix without any graininess.
- Let It Cool Before Adding Lime Juice: Adding juice to hot syrup can slightly alter the flavor.
- Store in an Airtight Container: This keeps the mix fresh for longer. If placed in the fridge it can last 2 weeks, and a few months in the freezer.
- Shake, Don’t Stir: Shaking with ice chills and properly blends the ingredients, creating a refreshing, well-balanced drink.
- Don’t Skip the Rim (or Customize It!): A salted rim enhances the flavors by balancing the tartness, but for a twist, try a tajín rim for spice or a sugar rim for a touch of sweetness.
- Adjust Sweetness to Taste: If you prefer a sweeter margarita, add a touch more margarita mix or a small splash of agave syrup. For a more tart version, reduce the sweetener and add an extra squeeze of lime.
Frequently Asked Questions About Margarita Mix
Do you have questions about making margarita mix?
Yes! Scale up the ingredients and store in the fridge.
Fresh is always best, but in a pinch, bottled lime juice will work!
It stays fresh for up to two weeks when refrigerated and kept in a tightly sealed container.
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Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!
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Margarita Mix Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Shot Glass/Jigger
- Airtight Jar with Lid
Ingredients
Margarita Mix:
- 50 grams granulated sugar about ¼ cup
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup lime juice freshly squeezed (about 12 limes)
Margarita Cocktail:
- limes if rimming and garnish
- salt if rimming
- 1 ½ ounce silver tequila
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 tablespoon margarita mix recipe above
Instructions
Margarita Mix:
- Heat the water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, and simmer for about 5 minutes. Cool the mixture in a jar before adding in the lime juice.
- Store in a mason jar for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Margarita Cocktail:
- If rimming your glass, rum a lime wedge along the rim, then dip in sea salt on a shallow plate.
- In a cocktail shaker with ice pour silver tequila, Cointreau and margarita mix.
- Shake until chilled, then strain into your salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a wedge of fresh lime.
Notes
- Makes about 1 ¼ cups.
- Bottled juice won’t give the same bright, fresh flavor, be sure to use fresh lime juice for a premium margarita mix.
- Opt for a 100% agave silver tequila for the best smooth and crisp margarita. Lower-quality tequila can result in a harsher taste.
- Adding juice to hot syrup can slightly alter the flavor, so wait for it to cool before adding.
- This keeps the mix fresh for longer. If placed in the fridge it can last 2 weeks, and a few months in the freezer.
- Shaking your margarita with ice chills and properly blends the ingredients, creating a refreshing, well-balanced drink.
- A salted rim enhances the flavors by balancing the tartness, but for a twist, try a tajín rim for spice or a sugar rim for a touch of sweetness.
- If you prefer asweeter margarita, add a touch more margarita mix or a small splash of agave syrup. For a tarter version, reduce the sweetener and add an extra squeeze of lime.
Nutrition
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Eva Filer says
Margarita mix is great to have on hand to add some extra citrus to many cocktails or non-alcoholic drinks! I love that this has a subtle sweetness with a good punch of lime!