Skinny Margarita

Do you remember the first time you ever had a homemade margarita (or maybe even a top-shelf Cadillac margarita)? We do—it was tart, refreshing, and, most notably, miles away from those sugar-laden cocktails made from store-bought mixes (you know, the ones that cause horrible hangovers?). This recipe takes that concept one step further, turning the tequila classic into something easy to drink and enjoy all year long. 

We incorporate more natural ingredients into this margarita, making it extra refreshing and bright. Refer to this recipe for a classic version, or use it as a jumping off point to add in all your favorite marg mix-ins. Here’s everything you need to know: 

What is a skinny margarita?
Margaritas are pretty slimmed down (or “skinny”) already, ingredients-wise, so all we’re doing here is removing some of the refined sugar and replacing it with more natural ingredients. Because orange liqueurs like Cointreau or triple sec are traditionally used to add sweetness and a little extra citrus flavor to a margarita, we’re going with orange juice (fresh is best) and agave instead. This means not only are these “skinny margs” lower in calories, they’ve also got slightly less alcohol (meaning you can enjoy more of them 😉). Win win!

Skinny margarita variations:
Once you’ve got the basics down, you can feel free to change things up. Just because they’re “skinny” doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with it! Try simply blending them up with some ice for a frozen libation, or experiment with sliced jalapeño, cucumber, basil, blood orange, pomegranate…the sky’s the limit. Don’t forget to use extra fruit or veggies for garnish too.

Serving your margarita:
Speaking of garnish—no matter what flavors you go with, we think a salt rim is a must. Try infusing yours with a little lime or citrus zest for extra color too. To get it onto your glasses, rub the rims with a wedge of lime, then dip the rim in the salt and rotate it all the way around. 

Made these? Let us know how it went in the comments below.