The Best Homemade Skinny Margarita Recipe.

Making a skinny margarita at home is incredibly quick, simple, and rewarding.  I’ve never been a fan of the pre-made mixes that most restaurants offer; they’re so sweet, sticky, and unsatisfying.  But this skinny margarita recipe is full of fresh citrus juice, light agave nectar, and (of course) tequila!

I created this recipe when Mark and I lived in a small town in North Carolina, and struggled to find super delicious margaritas like we were used to back in Kansas City.  (Note:  we have since moved home and are *blessed* yet again with an abundance of insanely delicious margaritas in KC.  Southwest Boulevard is lined with incredible Mexican restaurants that won’t steer you wrong, to start!  But seriously shoot me an email if you ever plan to visit KC and want a solid list of where to drink margaritas. 🙂 )

Luckily, developing this recipe totally got us through our summers in North Carolina, and now I get to share this super easy recipe with you! 

How to Make this Fresh Skinny Margarita:

I can’t stress enough how easy this is.  Grab a couple of limes, an orange, a couple teaspoons of the agave nectar, some kosher salt, and a shot of your favorite tequila.

1. Pour a small pile of kosher salt onto a small plate.  Run a fresh lime wedge over the rims of two margarita glasses, then dip the rims of the glasses into the salt to coat them.
   • NOTE:  If throwing a party or serving people you don’t typically drink margaritas with, I recommend only coating half of the rim with salt.  This way your guest has the option or salt or no salt, without you asking everyone their preference.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker as full as you can with ice.  Add the tequila, lime juice, orange juice, agave nectar, and a little pinch of kosher salt*.
   • *The pinch of kosher salt is optional, but I recommend if if you aren’t adding any salt to the rims of the glasses.  It helps the citrus flavors pop a little more, so add a tiny pinch and see if you like it!
3. Secure the lid onto the shaker, and shake as hard as you can for about 30 seconds, or until your hands are about to freeze off.
4. Take off the lid, and divide the shaker between your two glasses.  (Ice and all.)
5. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.  

So this recipe is “skinny”, and uses a standard shot of tequila.  A standard shot is 1.5 ounces, and clocks in at about 97 calories.  To be honest, we usually use about two ounces in each of our margaritas.  🙂  It will increase the calories a bit, but feel free to add a touch more tequila if it’s been a rough week.  Or, if you’re like us, you enjoy the balance of booze / citrus / and sweetness. 

I hope you get to make these skinny margaritas as soon as you can … I mean there’s Margarita Monday, Tequila Tuesday, uhh … Wednesday …, then Thirsty Thursday, and the weekend!  It all works. Just grab some chips and salsa from your favorite local place on your way home from work, then kick back, relax, and just enjoy yourself.

Make this Recipe Yours!

Add a splash of flavor:  To keep the calorie count low, fresh citrus juice will be your best bet for adding a splash of flavor without the added stuff you don’t want. Try a splash of fresh grapefruit juice for a tart twist, or a splash of watermelon juice (totally a thing – I used to find some at the Jewel Osco when we lived in Chicago!) for a slightly sweet flavor. Adhering to the “skinny” concept, avoid any sugary liqueurs (like triple sec).

If you make these skinny margaritas, you should totally tag me on Instagram so I can see!  And if you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out to me directly.  Cheers!

xx Sara