Frozen Margarita

What is a Frozen Margarita Cocktail?

The Frozen Margarita is a variation of a Margarita blended with ice and made with Tequila Blanco, Triple Sec, lime juice, and simple syrup.

What Does a Frozen Margarita Cocktail Taste Like?

The Frozen Margarita is tangy, zesty and sour. The sweet orange notes from the triple sec perfectly balance the tangy lime, adding a hint of sweetness to the drink. The citrus fruits slice through the earthy, peppery undertones of the agave. 

“Tastes like a walk down your favorite Mexican beach. It’s the drink of the summer” says Rico. “You get all the flavors of 100% agave, lime and the triple sec, which gives the drink a nice orange flow – all chilled to perfection,” he adds.

The History of the Frozen Margarita Cocktail

Unlike the classic Margarita, whose origins are often debated, the history of the frozen margarita is thankfully much clearer and well documented. 

The first frozen margarita was crafted on May 11, 1971, by a Dallas restaurant owner who ingeniously adapted a soft-serve ice cream machine to create the slushy cocktail.

This innovation allowed the blended drink to be served in large quantities, revolutionizing the Tex-Mex restaurant scene and sparking a nationwide craze through the U.S. 

Today, the Frozen Margarita can be found at bars and restaurants all over the world.

Tips for Making the Perfect Frozen Margarita

• Getting the Right Consistency
  The key to a perfect Frozen Margarita is that perfect consistency, somewhere between sorbet and a smoothie. Therefore, as Rico advises, although you want your drink to be frozen, don’t add too much ice – start with 3-4 ice cubes. Once blending, keep adding ice until you get the right consistency.
• Add Simple Syrup
  While a classic Margarita doesn’t include simple syrup, adding around 30 ml when making a frozen version helps keep the drink from becoming too diluted by the ice, ensuring it stays sweet. Check out this article to learn how to make simple syrup.
• Use Fresh Lime Juice
  The zesty character that lime brings to a Margarita is one of the most important elements. So, avoid the convenience of bottled lime juice and instead grab some limes and squeeze fresh lime juice. It’s the difference between an OK-tasting drink and an incredible one.

 Variations of a Frozen Margarita Cocktail

• Swap Tequila for Mezcal
  Trust me, this is one of the best, if not the best, variation of a Frozen Margarita. Swap tequila for mezcal and suddenly you’ve got a smoky Frozen Margarita like you’ve never had before.

  Mezcal introduces a smoky depth that complements the lime juice and citrusy sweetness of triple sec. Follow the recipe above but simply swap tequila for mezcal.

  • Blue Frozen Margarita
    Come on, who doesn’t love blue drinks? Follow the drink recipe on this page but swap Triple Sec for Blue Curaçao and you’ve now got a stunning Blue Frozen Margarita!

    Both triple sec and blue curaçao are orange-flavored liqueurs but blue curaçao is sweeter and more complex.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Frozen Margarita

• Serving a Frozen Margarita in its signature Margarita Glass is a must. This glass is perfect due to its wide mouth, which comfortably accommodates the icy cocktail. Its rim is also easy to salt and perfect for garnishing with a lime wheel.

• Frozen or not, a Margarita should always be served in a salt-rimmed glass.

• Want to spice it up? Use a Mexican spice mix seasoning consisting of lime, chili peppers and salt to rim your glass. Oooh, now that’s spicy.

• You simply can’t beat a lime wheel to garnish a Frozen Margarita – it’s a classic.