This Simple Margarita recipe is my favorite margarita all year round. Make them on the rocks or frozen for a salty, limey and tangy sip! They’re a hit for any party and easy to assemble in minutes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader Wendy Said: “YUM!!! This is SO good! Thanks for sharing.”
This margarita recipe was originally published in 2017 and has been thoughtfully updated in 2024 and 2026 with fresh new images, additional tips, and helpful step-by-step instructions to make it even easier for you to mix up and enjoy.
Easy Batch Margaritas for Effortless Entertaining
This is a very simple, barely even needs a recipe kind of recipe! These classic and easy Margaritas are perfect for serving at any gathering and are easy to make a big batch of too! Just 4 ingredients and you’re set. Did you know that margarita means “daisy” in Spanish? It’s popularlity in Mexico and the US is unparrelled.
I’ve been making and sharing this recipe for years, since my boys were babies. They’ve been a staple among my girlfriends whenever we get together. Serve them alongside Guacamole or Blender Salsa for a classic restaurant-quality happy hour right at home. Here’s why you’ll love them:
- Drinks for a party in minutes. It’s so easy to make a batch cocktail and keeps entertaining hassle-free. Shake and strain, no way!!
- A total winner for any group. When I tell you I get so many requests for this recipe, I truly do! They are dangerously good, so drink with caution.
- Easy to customize. Try another fruit juice or rim with a spicy salt. There are so many ways to change the flavors! No margarita mix!
Cheers!
Simple Ingredients
- Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice: My secret key ingredient that makes these so good. Typically found in the mixer aisle. You can use fresh lime juice if you prefer. But if you do, you will need some agave syrup or simple syrup.
- Tequila: Your favorite brand, I like 100% agave, go with gold or a blanco tequila.
- Apple juice: I prefer non-filtered, like Simply Apple, for it’s richer taste.
- Grand Marnier or triple sec: Adds a splash of orange to compliment the lime. Or your favorite orange liqueur, Cointreau.
- Lime: Cut into wedges or lime wheels for garnish.
- Salt for rims: Totally optional, I recommend kosher salt or a coarse salt for a salted rim.
- Ice Cubes: We love using nugget ice cubes or crushed ice.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
WARNING: These are strong! Please, please always drink responsibly.
Kathleen’s Tip: When salting the rims of your glasses, don’t put the ice in first (like I tend to do), but first rub your lime wedge around the rim of the glass, then dip your glass (upside down) in your salt, then put your ice in. Beautiful every time.
How to Make this Easy Margarita Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Drink Ingredients
Using a liquid measuring cup, measure out 1 cup of each: Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice, Tequila and Apple Juice into pitcher.
Measure ½ cup Grand Marnier (or replacement) and add to above, stirring well.
Step 2: Rim the Glasses and Serve
Place flaky sea salt or margarita salt on a dish, wet rim of glass with lime wedge and dip into salt coating the glass rim evenly. Use your favorite glass, or go classic with a margarita glass.
Fill glass with ice, pour margarita into a glass and garnish with a lime wheel or a wedge of lime. Easily doubled or tripled for a full pitcher. This truly is a simple recipe!
Variations
- Use your favorite tequila here, even non-alcoholic tequilas would work great. Silver or Reposado are considered the best for margaritas.
- Line the rim of the glasses with something else! Try Tajín for a spicy kick.
- Add a splash of fresh juice; such as orange juice or grapefruit juice.
Make a Frozen Margarita Slushy
Freezing your cocktail seems to be the rage, so I thought I’d get in on it. Simply mix together your margarita ingredients well, place in a freezer friendly container and freeze. I used my small mixing bowl since it has a lid.
WARNING: these are even stronger since you aren’t pouring them “on the rocks”. If you make these into slushies, pour half of what you would normally or add a touch of water to take them down a notch. Or just sip slowly.
When ready to serve, freeze your glasses for 15 minutes or more if desired and rim your glass with flaky salt, add a scoop of crushed ice and and scoop using a medium scoop the slushy margarita mixture into the frosty glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Expert Tips
- Chill your glasses before serving. This keeps your margaritas colder for longer!
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice if desired. This is an easy swap, just know you may need a spoonful of simple syrup, agave or honey to sweeten the mixture.
- Try other juices beside apple! Grapefruit juice or cranberry juice are also delicious.
- Double or triple the batch for a crowd. Put it into a pitcher and keep in the fridge for guests to serve themselves. This keeps entertaining so simple!
- Make it spicy! Add some jalapeno slices to the mixture or rim the glass with Tajin for a bit of a kick.
What to Serve with this Simple Margarita Recipe
The options are endless! Here are some of my family’s favorite recipes that I love to pair with these tangy drinks:
Storage
Store any leftover margaritas in a pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Serve over ice whenever you are ready to enjoy.
You can freeze the mixture too for up to 2 months. Just be sure to not fill the container too full with the mixture prior to freezing since it will expand as it chills.
Yes, indeed, you can make the drinks in advance; I like to combine the drink in the morning to chill in the fridge before guests arrive.
Common Questions
Lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and a sweetener like agave or simple syrup.
Individually, in a cocktail shaker, or for a big batch, in a pitcher.
A twist on the classic recipe with a splash of olive brine for a briny flavor.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Our Favorite Margarita Recipes
Like this recipe?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and leave a comment below the recipe!
Originally published in 2017; updated in 2024 and 2026 with new photos and helpful tips.
Video
Equipment
- Margarita Pitcher (84 oz) Glass
- Stemless Margarita Glasses
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice typically found in the mixer aisle
- 1 cup Tequila your choice, I like 100% agave, silver or reposado are the preferred
- 1 cup apple juice I prefer non-filtered, like Simply Apple
- ½ cup Grand Marnier Contreau, Triple Sec or your favorite orange citrus liqueur
- 1 lime cut into wedges or lime wheels
- Salt for rims Use margarita salt, kosher salt or coarse salt
Instructions
- Measure 1 cup of each; Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice, Tequila and Apple Juice into pitcher.1 cup Rose’s Sweetened Lime Juice, 1 cup Tequila, 1 cup apple juice
- Measure ½ cup Grand Marnier (or triple sec) and add to above, stirring well.½ cup Grand Marnier
- Place flaky sea salt or margarita salt on a dish, wet rim of glass with lime wedge and dip into salt coating the glass rim evenly.1 lime, Salt for rims
- Fill glass with ice, pour margarita into a glass and garnish with a wedge of fresh lime. Easily doubled or tripled for a full pitcher.
Notes
- Store any leftover margaritas in a pitcher or airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Serve over ice whenever you are ready to enjoy.
- You can freeze the mixture too for up to 2 months. Just be sure to not fill the container too full with the mixture prior to freezing since it will expand as it chills.
- Yes, indeed, you can make the drinks in advance; I like to combine the drink in the morning to chill in the fridge before guests arrive.
Nutrition
Elizabeth
Delicious. I subbed Limeade instead of sweetened Lime juice.
I love that twist, Elizabeth!!
Eric Lopez
My GF loves this but we had Simply Grapefruit instead…excellent!
YUM! I love the idea of using grapefruit! Kind of a Paloma margarita!!
Paula@SweetPea
I can’t wait to try this!
They are delicious AND strong! Hope you like them!
Linda Krenz
Oh my goodness these look delicious!
Thank you Linda, they are delicious (and a wee bit powerful!)
wendybehm
YUM!!! This is SO good! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you my friend!!