There are two types of people in the world — those who love margaritas and those who haven’t tried them yet. What makes a margarita so special? Is it the zesty tang of fresh citrus? The balance of sweetness with the salt? Or is it the savory bite of tequila? Whatever it is, these Mexican beverages are the perfect fun-time beverage, whether you drink it on the rocks or as a frosty blended slushie. 

So how do you make an authentic-tasting margarita at home? The classic margarita recipe is quite simple. It’s fresh lime juice, blended with your best tequila and a triple sec liqueur like Cointreau for added citrus flavor and a little sweetener like agave syrup. Combine in a cocktail shaker, mix, and pour over ice. Garnish your glass rim with sea salt, and you’ve got the perfect margarita. 

But, what to do if you don’t have the ingredients or the time to mix a margarita recipe? Does that mean you have to go without? Never fear! You won’t go cocktail-less if you don’t learn how to make a margarita mix from scratch. There are plenty of pre-made margarita mixes available to save the day. Just add tequila and go. 

Let's look at some of the best margarita mixes that’ll have you shouting olé in no time.

1. Jose Cuervo Margarita Mix 1 Liter

Jose Cuervo balances the sweet and tart flavors of lime juice and agave and adds just the right amount of heat to create this crowd-pleasing mixer. Perfect for margaritas on the rocks or frozen, Jose Cuervo is ready to head south of the border when you are.

$5.99

2. Owen's Margarita Mix 750ml

If life gives you lemons, hand them back and reach for Owen’s Margarita Mix. Combining fresh-squeezed lime juice and 100% all-natural agave nectar, this slightly carbonated mixer is all you need to make a perfect restaurant-quality margarita at home — just add tequila or mezcal. Welcome to the good life: just add tacos.

$7.99

3. Mr & Mrs T's Margarita Mix 1.75 Liter

This pleasing margarita mixer combines the tangy-sweet taste of fresh lime with sweetness and accents of orange to create an easy-to-drink cocktail blend. It’s ready to mix right out of the bottle. Leave your passport at home; there’s no need to travel south of the border to enjoy a delicious margarita.

$8.99

4. Master of Mixes Margarita Mix 33.8 oz

Master of Mixes combines authentic Key lime juice harvested from a limited growing area in coastal Mexico, essential citrus oils, and a touch of simple syrup and pure agave nectar to create a naturally refreshing, authentic margarita cocktail mixer. These ingredients are expertly blended to craft a versatile mixer that can be poured on the rocks for a classic marg or blended into frozen cocktails.

$5.49

5. Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix 1 Liter

Craft a tasty and inviting margarita with Tres Agaves Organic Margarita drink mix. This mixer merges four organic ingredients, agave nectar, lime juice, filtered water, and vitamin C, to fuse the delicious flavor of oranges and limes with a delicate vanilla finish. Elevate your margaritas above the average, thanks to this mixer’s delicate balance of sweetness and tang.

$11.99

6. Jose Cuervo Authentic Strawberry Lime Margarita 1.75 Liter

Some days, you feel a little more sweet than sour. That doesn’t mean you have to pass on having a margarita. Jose Cuervo has crafted their Authentic Strawberry Lime Margarita cocktail mix for just such occasions. Made with the same quality ingredients found in their classic Margarita Mix, with the addition of natural strawberry flavor, just one sip of this fruity blend will transport you to your favorite beach.

$19.95

7. Stirring's 5 Calorie Margarita Mix 750ml

As much as it pains us, some days, you can’t indulge in too much sugar and need a skinny margarita mix. Thankfully there’s Stirring’s 5 Calorie Margarita Mix. Stirring uses Key lime juice from concentrate and natural flavors to craft an authentic tasting, low-calorie margarita mixer without added sugar. Feel good about what you're drinking with Stirring.

$8.99

FAQ

What can I add to the margarita mix to make it better?

We think margaritas are perfect as is, but sometimes you want to switch things up. There’s nothing wrong with a bit of experimentation. Here are a few ideas to shake up how you make a margarita.

Feel the heat. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try a spicy margarita. Add a small amount of muddled jalapeño or habanero chili to your regular margarita recipe. You can also rim your glass with a salt and chili powder mix for an extra kick.

Swap the juice. Traditional margarita recipes incorporate real lime into the flavor profile. But if you want to break with traditions, swap out the lime flavor mixer for another fruity variety or add a splash of combined grapefruit and orange juices or lemon juice. For a totally different flavor profile, try using pomegranate or mango juice. Be sure to adjust the amount of mixer depending on how sweet you like your margarita.

Mix it up. Tequila is usually the star of the marg show, but it doesn’t have to be. Mezcal is also a traditional spirit used in margarita cocktails (hello, mezcalarita!), or you can try vodka, gin, or white rum.

Keep it appealing. Orange liqueur is added to margaritas to give the cocktail some citrusy brightness. Cointreau is the traditional choice, but you can make an impression by substituting blue Curacao for a refreshingly different taste and a bright blue color.

Hot take: For those with dietary issues, you don’t have to worry about whether margaritas are gluten-free. Most mixes are, but be sure to check the label.

What is the ratio of tequila to margarita mix?

Recreating a classic margarita cocktail recipe at home is as easy as 3 – 2 – 1. That’s 3 parts tequila, 2 parts margarita mix, and 1 part triple sec. Feel free to adjust the amounts to suit your palate, and don’t forget to rim your glasses with salt.

How many margaritas will one bottle of tequila make?

Well, that depends on your personal preferences and the size of your bottle of tequila. On average, if you’re serving 1.5 ounces of tequila per drink from a 25-ounce bottle, you’ll be able to pour 16 classic margaritas. Cheers!