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If you love a well-made co*cktail, you have to try this 3-ingredient Skinny Margarita recipe! Made with tequila, cointreau and lime juice, it's incredibly refreshing and sugar-free too, making it an easy go-to drink.
I have no idea why it's taken me so long to share this recipe to the blog, but it's finally here! If you don't already know, margaritas are my go-to co*cktail, and THIS is my go-to recipe.
Some are too sweet, some are too strong, but this skinny margarita recipe is just perfect and I strongly urge you to try it because it's my absolute favorite way to make a delicious margarita at home!
Let's also note that my loaded nachos and bacon guacamole pair perfectly with this drink (just saying!).
Why you'll love this co*cktail
- It's made with just 3 easy-to-find ingredients
- It's both light and refreshing and made with just the good stuff
- You just need 5 minutes (or less!) to whip up this drink
Ingredient notes
Tequila: Tequila is the main ingredient, so there's no substitution there. There are different kinds of tequila, including blanco, resposado, añejo, extra añejo, and joven. I tend to prefer blanco, and if you're new to tequila, I recommend that as a good starting point.
Cointreau: Some skinny margarita recipes call for orange juice, but I prefer cointreau. Cointreau is orange-flavored triple sec and it adds a better flavor than orange juice or regular triple sec, in my opinion.
Lime juice: You can't make a margarita without lime juice! Make sure to use fresh limes rather than limes that have been sitting in the fridge for awhile--you can taste a difference!
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Run a lime wedge along the edge of your glass, then dip it in salt to salt the rim. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
Step 2: Add the tequila and cointreau to a co*cktail shaker.
Step 3: Use a citrus squeezer (or your hands) to add the lime juice to the co*cktail shaker.
Step 4: Shake the co*cktail shaker for 10-15 seconds, then pour the drink over ice.
FAQs
What makes this margarita "skinny"?
Most margarita recipes are loaded with sugar, but not this one! Instead, it uses liquor and lime juice to create a delicious drink that doesn't need anything else. Seriously, you won't even miss the simple syrup!
Is there a specific brand of tequila you recommend?
Yes! Something I've learned over the years is that, as tempting as it is to get the "cheap stuff", you end up feeling much better the next day if you purchase middle-tier alcohol.
So with that said, my two favorite brands of tequila are Espolòn and Casamigos. Espolòn is what I use most frequently because it's high-quality and affordable.
Is Cointreau the same thing as triple sec, and can I use them interchangeably?
Great question! I talked about Cointreau above in the Ingredient Notes, but basically Cointreau is an orange-flavored triple sec, so they are kind of the same thing. Personally, I think Cointreau provides a more smooth, crisp flavor than other brands of triple sec, which is why I'm so obsessed with it and recommend it for margaritas.
Do I have to use a co*cktail shaker?
Nope! It helps, but it's not absolutely necessary. If you don't own a co*cktail shaker, you have two options: 1) add everything to a blender and blend on low for 5 seconds, or 2) add everything to a cup and stir quickly with a spoon.
More tasty tequila co*cktails
- Cucumber Jalapeño Margarita
- Skinny Bloody Mary
- Cinnamon Tequila Sour
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below!
Skinny Margarita Recipe
If you love a well-made co*cktail, you have to try this 3-ingredient Skinny Margarita recipe! Made with tequila, cointreau and lime juice, it's incredibly refreshing and sugar-free too, making it an easy go-to drink.
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Instructions
Run a lime wedge along the rim of a glass then dip it in a salt to salt the rim (this step is optional!). Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
Add tequila, cointreau and lime juice to a co*cktail shaker then shake for 10-15 seconds.
Pour margarita over the ice and enjoy!
Notes
*1.5 oz. of lime juice is approximately juice from 1.5 limes
My favorite brand of tequila is Espolòn, so if you're looking for a high-quality yet affordable brand, that's what I recommend
If you don't own a co*cktail shaker, simply add everything to a cup and whisk it quickly with a spoon, then pour your drink over ice
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 50mg | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 13mg
Did you Make this Recipe? Tag me Today!Leave a comment below and tag @thealmondeater on Instagram!
FAQs
A typical blended margarita at a restaurant can be upwards of 500 calories and lord knows how much sugar… this version is way lighter with around 130 calories and 3 grams of sugar!
How to order sugar free margarita? ›
Ask for light to no agave/simple syrup. Tequila neat/straight up with a lime. Ask to swap in Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier in place of a margarita mix, sugar, or agave.
Does Skinnygirl Margarita still exist? ›
There's a reason this is the one that started it all. Made from premium Blue Agave Silver Tequila (yes, please) and lightly sweetened with agave nectar, the original Skinnygirl® Margarita is STILL delicious and low-calorie (really?).
How many carbs in a sugar free margarita? ›
Average Analysis Per 12 fl. oz. Serving: Calories 100, Carbohydrates 11g, Protein 0g, Fat 0g.
What is a skinny margarita made from? ›
For One, Classic Skinny Margarita:
1 1/2 ounces silver tequila about 3 tablespoons. 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 large or 1 1/2 small limes. 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice about 1/2 medium orange. 1 teaspoon light agave nectar add 2 if you prefer a sweeter margarita.
Are skinny margaritas better for you? ›
Health aficionados can see that opting for a skinny margarita typically means consuming fewer calories and less sugar. It's a smart swap that doesn't sacrifice flavor. Freshly squeezed lime juice and natural sweeteners like agave nectar replace the sugar-laden mixers found in regular margaritas.
What is a good substitute for sugar syrup in margaritas? ›
If you're looking for a simple syrup substitute, there are three favorites you probably have right in your home: honey, maple syrup and agave. For honey or agave, add warm water to them, to help turn the mix to syrup. You can also use a sweet, juicy fruit, like an orange.
Is margarita OK for diabetics? ›
Drinks to avoid
Therefore, try to avoid them unless you're making them yourself. For example, margaritas, piña coladas, and daiquiris may pack 35–44 grams of carbs per 7-ounce (225-mL) serving — and that is if you're having just one serving ( 33 , 34 , 35 ).
What are the best sugar-free alcoholic drinks to order at a bar? ›
No & low co*cktails
- Sazerac (no sugar & low-calorie) ...
- Tom Collins (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
- Vodka Collins (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
- Vodka Sour (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
- Whiskey Sour (no added sugar & low-calorie) ...
- White Lady (no added sugar* & low-calorie)
Whole Foods has stopped selling former “Real House wives of New York City” star Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl Margarita after discovering it has potentially carcinogenic in gredients.
After discovering that it contains a preservative that does not meet our quality standards, we have had to stop selling it." "Well now that I know that, I wouldn't buy them. I'm into obviously eating very healthy and organic," Nicole Prajer, a Whole Foods customer, told CBS2.
How do you ask for a skinny margarita? ›
The “skinniest” option is a classic Margarita without any syrup at all. If you want a sweeter version without adding too many carbs, add some Xylitol simple syrup to avoid the sugar and calories of Agave. So if you're not sure what you're ordering, just talk to your bartender!
What alcohol is sugar free and carb free? ›
For instance, pure forms of alcohol like whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, and vodka are all completely free of carbs. You can drink them straight or combine them with low carb mixers for more flavor. Wine and light varieties of beer are also relatively low in carbs — usually containing under 6 grams (g) per serving.
Will a margarita kick me out of ketosis? ›
Though one glass of something strong won't knock your body out of ketosis, drinking alcohol while following a keto diet will affect your progress. Specifically, it will slow down your rate of ketosis. "The liver can make ketones out of alcohol," Atkins nutritionist Colette Heimowitz told Elite Daily.
How many calories in a skinny margarita? ›
According to USDA data, a Skinny Margarita made with club soda or seltzer, lime juice, orange zest, stevia and 1.5 fluid ounces of tequila has approximately 126 calories and 10 grams of carbohydrates.
Does a skinny margarita have less sugar than a regular margarita? ›
A regular Margarita is higher in sugar from sweetened lime juice and orange liqueur. A Skinny Margarita uses natural sweeteners, fresh juice, and little to now orange liqueur to reduce the calorie count. Taste: A Skinny Margarita will taste less sweet, but may have a fresher taste from the fruit juices.
Are margaritas high in sugar? ›
Margaritas can be high in sugar, depending on how they are made. Margaritas made from premade mixes, as well as restaurant margaritas, typically have more sugar than homemade ones. Consuming too many added sugars can lead to unwanted weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease ( 9 ).
How much sugar is in a standard margarita? ›
DrinksMixer notes that triple sec has 10.9 grams of sugar per ounce. Therefore, a traditional 4-ounce margarita on the rocks has between 11 and 12 grams of sugar. This sugar content is the same whether the margarita is blended with ice or on the rocks, because the bartender uses the same liquor, mixer, and ice amounts.
What does it mean if a margarita is skinny? ›
A skinny margarita is a low-calorie version of a regular margarita. Instead of using orange liqueur like triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier, a skinny margarita uses fresh orange juice and a small amount of agave nectar.
