Look no further for the BEST keto margarita recipe! With 4 simple ingredients, these easy sugar-free cocktails have that classic margarita flavor without the extra carbs.
I have very strong opinions about many things, but perhaps none are as strong as what makes a really good, classic margarita. And I do believe I have perfected the keto margarita!
It actually doesn’t take much at all, because the best margaritas are very simple with no fancy frills or added ingredients. Just fresh lime juice, tequila, and a touch of orange flavor. And some sweetener, if you are so inclined.
If you prefer yours blended instead of on the rocks, or without a salted rim, I can forgive you and look past it. However, if you tell me that you like sour mix instead of fresh lime or you like agave for sweetness, I might just punch you in the eye.
Yes, that is how strongly I feel about my margaritas. I am a purist and I will accept nothing less.
This recipe was first published in 2014. I have simply updated the post and photos!
What makes the best keto margaritas?
Just ask my husband. Thankfully, I’ve never had to punch him in the eye as he likes the classic cocktail as much as I do.
But he has seen my frustration at trying to find a bar or a restaurant that can make a good margarita. Many places don’t even know what’s in their cocktails. They assure me that it’s fresh lime juice, when it’s actually bottled lime. Or even worse, when it’s made with sour mix. Blech!
This classic cocktail should contain nothing more than lime juice, tequila, and a little bit of Triple Sec. But orange liqueur contains sugar, so what is a keto margarita lover to do?
I have an ingenious work-around for you, in the form of orange extract. It gives these cocktails great flavor without the added sugars. Salud!
Ingredients
This keto margarita recipe takes 4 simple ingredients:
- Fresh lime juice – don’t you dare use bottled lime!
- Tequila – I prefer white tequila in my margaritas
- Orange extract – Just a touch for that classic flavor
- Keto sweetener – Totally optional, and I prefer mine unsweetened
From there, you can choose to make it the classic way, over crushed ice with a salted rim. Or you can blend it up in blender and serve it with a straw.
How to make sugar free margaritas
On the rocks:
- Squeeze the limes: You want about 2 ounces or ¼ cup of fresh lime juice for two keto margaritas.
- Stir in the tequila and orange extract
- Sweeten to taste – you can do as little or as much as you like!
- Salt the rim – Run a lime wedge around the edge of the glass and then roll it around in a shallow dish of salt.
- Add crushed ice – You will need about 1 cup of crushed ice for two margaritas.
- Pour the margarita over.
- Enjoy!
Frozen:
You can also use the same recipe above for a frozen keto margarita. Just make sure you have a good strong blender!
- Add 2 cups crushed ice to a blender
- Add the lime juice, tequila, orange extract, and sweetener
- Blend until slushy
- Pour into cocktail glasses – with or without a salted rim!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any sweetener you like here! I do recommend using something that dissolves well, so powdered and liquid sweeteners work best.
If you want to make a pitcher of margaritas for a party or get together, make several batches of the basic mix. Don’t pour over ice or blend until ready to serve. The margarita mix will last in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Absolutely! Add some berries to the mix, or play with extracts. You may find that you need to sweeten those versions a bit more to offset the fruit. And it will change the carb count, of course.
This one from Native Vanilla works well!
It’s not a true margarita, of course, but you can make this same drink without tequila. I recommend using a bit more lime juice, and a few ounces of sparkling water to make up the difference.
More refreshing Keto Cocktail Recipes
- Sugar-Free Blueberry Mojitos
- Keto Coffee Liqueur
- Keto French 75
- Rhubarb Fizz Cocktail
- Keto Eggnog
- Cranberry Mimosas
- Keto Irish Cream
Keto Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces good tequila white
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 ounces)
- ¼ teaspoon orange extract
- 1 tablespoon powdered Swerve Sweetener optional
- Crushed ice
- Kosher salt for rimming optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker or a measuring cup, combine tequila, lime juice, orange extract and sweetener, if using.
- Fill two margarita glasses or old-fashioned glasses halfway with crushed ice.
- Divide mixture evenly between glasses.
- If you like a salted rim, run a wedge of lime around the outside of the glass before filling with ice and dip in a plate of kosher salt.
Jennifer Farley says
YES PLEASE!
Tom says
These are the best thing ever! They taste just like a perfectly mixed, “regular” margarita. We found them a bit strong though, might want to stick with just one.
Vy says
My go to drink when I’m clubbing is tequila, soda water and lime. I get the margarita taste without the guilt, and it helps me stay hydrated.
deb lindsey says
Thank you from all us diabetics out there who still want a good (safe) drink now and then…slainte!!?
Chelsea says
Thinking of trying this out this weekend, I have been craving Mexican food and margaritas! Just curious, why the vodka?
Carolyn says
Simply to add a little of the alcohol that you’d get with an orange liqueur like triple sec. You could leave it out, if you want.
Porcelina says
I’ve just tried this recipe and have made 2 rookie mistakes, which I will share to warn others of!!
First, I bought the Sainsbury’s orange extract that was only £1.50 instead of the posh looking one that was £4. The one I bought has rapeseed oil in it. Oil, so it floats on top of my drink!! The other one had alcohol instead of oil, which would have mixed properly.
Secondly, I used ‘Total Sweet’ sweetener, which hasn’t dissolved properly and has merely sunk to the bottom of the glass.
So there you go, two things not to do!!!
Still tastes ok, so I shall finish my glass… x
Carolyn says
Oh, yes that would be a bit gross with the oil floating on top!
Lyn says
Hello! Just tried this recipe tonight, after ordering the orange extract from the link in the recipe. And guess what? The extract floated on the top. Maybe they changed the way they make it since 2014. Ingredients are organic sunflower oil and orange oil.
Any new suggestions?
It’s a great alternative to the sugared up version!
Carolyn says
The oil based extracts are going to do that. I guess my suggestion would be to try one that’s alcohol based. But you can just skip it, or maybe add a bit of orange zest instead?
Lyn says
Thanks for your response! I LOVE all your recipes and your passion towards this way of eating!
Rachel says
This sounds great, I will be making it this week, most likely by Friday. I’ve followed a lcl for about a year and a half now. I have a hard time drinking alcohol. I was always a tee-totaler, but now a couple of sips of a drink and it’s like I’ve partied all night. I enjoy a drink now and then, but I really have to have just a little one….with food. Maybe I’m just getting old.
With that said, can you offer a recipe for a pitcher? Not for me, but you know, for guests.
Barbara says
While not pure like yours, I tossed some in a can of diet Squirt one day and fell in love. Then, for Christmas, my son bought me a soda stream. I love that the diet drinks are Splenda sweetened. The pink grapefruit is my fave. Beware if you add tequila to it, you seriously can’t really taste it and I can falling when standing if you had two of them. Granted, I use two ounces per 12 ounces of soda. Must try your recipe.
Jan says
1/4 cup Tequilla
1/4 cup Fresh Lime Juice
1/8 cup Monin Sugar-Free Triple Sec
Will get slushy given a couple hours in the freezer
Cindi says
I use MONIN Sugar-Free Triple Sec Syrup in my SF margaritas. Gotta buy a new bottle for the summer season!
Malainie says
I came up with a low carb margarita years ago, also a low carb strawberry margarita. I don’t like the triple sec and am a purist about using fresh squeezed lime juice…or in a pinch…like last night…True Lime. For those who like the orange flavor, I wonder if a bit of orange zest would also do the trick? Love your recipes and website!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
That settles it I am coming over for these! Your post literature made my mouth water. I totally agree that sour mix is worthy of a face punch!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
Literally not literature. Lol autocorrect. Makes me sound like a spammer 😉
Carolyn says
Hahaha! Thanks for clarifying. Gotta love auto-correct.
Linda Johnson says
I can’t wait to try this margarita recipe! I was wondering if tot could make a pitcher for like serving 12 a day ahead?
Please let me know, I worked like to serve this at a gathering!
Thanks
Linda
Carolyn says
I can’t see why not! Just don’t put the ice in until ready to serve.
Christiana says
Mmmmm! Sounds so good! My husband makes me another diet, ie low carb drink – just some vodka and a splash of extra dry white vermouth with lots of ice. I must get some limes and give this a whirl – I have everything else in the cupboard!
I have a question for you Carolyn, font of wisdom for all things low carb! There is a lovely Ottolenghi recipe for almond florentines, but it uses sugar. I tried substituting the powdered sugar with powdered Swerve but the result was disappointing – they just weren’t crispy. Do you have any advice? Here is a website with the recipe https://sites.google.com/site/blueeyedbakersrecipes/ottolenghi-s-almond-orange-florentines
Carolyn says
I haven’t yet tried Florentines, although I’ve been meaning to. So at this point, no advice but I need to try it out soon!
Christiana says
Thanks Carolyn – I’ll keep an eye out . . . .
Charla says
I think I heard that there is a low-carb sugar-free Triple Sec that someone makes….
Carolyn says
I am sure there is and it would be easy. However, I didn’t want to bother and I got just the right flavour from a little orange extract.
Lin says
Oh, yum! Is it May 5 yet??
I have found,after going low-carb for a few years, that many things in restaurants and on the store shelves taste too sweet now. The other day I bought a well known brand of dried Italian seasoning and dressing mix that I needed for a recipe. I did not care for the taste of the baked shrimp with that topping on it because I could taste sugar in it. Sure enough,when I looked at the ingredients, sugar was the second ingredient!
Doug says
What happened to that great old Italian season mix, they added sugar? same as the bottle .YUK
Porcelina says
I am on your side. I have this problem not specifically with margaritas, but with cocktails in general. Wayyy too much sweet and sugary ingredients going in these days. My favourite is actually a dirty vodka martini, I like the bitterness of the olive brine. I think your version of the margarita here sounds very appealing, I will be sure to give it a go! P x
Jan says
I couldn’t agree with you more, Carolyn, at the lack of real margarita’s sold in restaurants – the margarita mix tastes like candy. I’m also appalled by the cost of limes right now, but I’ll buy one to make your low carb margarita. Thanks!
Catherine says
Sounds wonderful! Blessings, Catherine
Tammy says
Sounds yummy! Just bought limes recently and they were a $1 for each tiny one they called “large”. I guess that’s what happens when there’s a lime shortage! It will not deter me from drinking my margaritas, though! 🙂 Thanks for the recipe!
Carolyn says
I know! I was shocked when I took 6 limes to the register the other day and it cost $6.
Patty G. says
You are AWESOME! I crave a Margarita every now and again but I just cannot justify the sugar! Tried to order a “skinny” Margarita recently, but asked the server to not put in the Splenda. He said, “but that’s going to be kind of sour”, to which I replied, “Yup, that’s ok!”
Carolyn says
A woman after my own heart. Why, oh WHY does everyone want to sweeten margaritas. They taste so great on their own.
Denise says
You refer to a half ounce of vodka to replace the triple sec, but don’t see that listed in the ingredients. If I use the vodka, would I reduce the tequila by 1/2 ounce and then add the orange extract? Salivating.
Thanks Carolyn…love your graham crackers too. After baking, I pop mine into the freezer for 10 minutes…not a lot of patience required!