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.
Laura says
Love your pic with the drinks on the tray with limes ????
Carolyn says
Thanks!
Gabriela Gentz says
I wanted so much to like this one. However, for some reason it felt like I had too much lime juice and could not adjust the sweetness. I used the exact measurements for juice, tequila, sweetener (Monk Fruit and Allulose) and orange extract. Did I do anything wrong?
Carolyn says
Okay, I am a bit confused as to why you couldn’t add more sweetener? And it’s funny, most people find there’s too much tequila and not enough lime! In future, you can always drain the ice out with a sieve, put the mixture back in a measuring cup, add more sweetener, tequila, or lime, whatever suits your tastes!
Beth says
I wanted to love it but it’s got a bitter aftertaste that is just not good. Any thoughts on what might cause this? I had to use several limes as they did not yield much juice.
Carolyn says
If your limes didn’t have much juice, chances are they were too old and may have contributed to the bitterness. But it’s also possible that your orange extract was bitter too?
Sandra says
I’ve accumulated several bottles of Allulose Liquid Sweetener due to a certain Pecan Pie Muffin addiction!:)….would the thick liquid work in the margarita recipe? And should I first prepare a simple syrup with it? (Discovered a very “mature” bottle of orange extract in the cabinet-can’t wait to try this!)
Carolyn says
I think you could just stir it in. It’s not very thick, it’s more the consistency of simple syrup.
Sandra says
Came out great! (not as strong and bit sweeter than yours bur perfection for me!)
Carolyn says
That’s the great part… easily customizable!
Kim C says
Hey, Carolyn, You mention 1/2 oz of vodka replacing the liquor in the Triple Sec in your notes, but there’s none in the recipe. Did you end up cutting it out, or is that an oversight?
Carolyn says
I ended up cutting it. I need to re-write the post.
PattyB says
Can these be made by the pitcher? If so, what would be the measurements?
Carolyn says
Just scale it up for how many servings you want to make.
Saralyn says
what do you think of SweetLeaf Stevia Drops in Valencia Orange? Think those would work instead of the orange extract & powdered swerve? I don’t have much experience with SweetLeaf.
Carolyn says
Sure, I guess!
karen bratton says
I used Bochasweet to make a simple syrup. Keeps in the fridge for margaritas anytime. I can control the sweetness level, and tartness with the fresh limes
Carolyn says
Good stuff!
Becky Hardin says
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere right … lol !! I am thinking this is the drink of choice this weekend.
Nina says
Now we need the recipe for Mai Tai
Julie Blanner says
Yum! I always love a good margarita and low carb makes it even better! Thanks for sharing.
Jen says
I love your passion for them! Summers were made for margaritas and I’m going to pretend with every sip that it’s summer already. Cheers!
Anna says
These margaritas were fantastic! Thanks for the recipe!
Allyson Zea says
These are perfect for my low carb diet- thank you!
Kelly Easterbrook says
Hi Carolyn! We are so thankful for your cookbooks and encouragement to stay pure on our Keto lifestyle. You have inspired us to make our own Keto-friendly Margarita Mix with fresh lemon juice and fresh lime, tequila and a little Swerve or other natural weetnener of choice to mirror the Sweet & Sour mix. We will add just a little Triple Sec or Cointreau to make it a top shelf and for a true orange flavor we add a few drops of Young Living Orange essential oil. Thinking this will be our New Year’s Eve Keto cocktail!
Carolyn says
Sounds great!
Terry Ross says
Made one this evening. Smiled and sipped with pure delight! Thank you!
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Jan says
This was a great low carb margarita! I’ve been looking for low carb cocktails and margaritas are one of my favorites
Jackie says
Hilarious that all of us Margarita lovers ( ok, Tequila lovers) respond about liquor so early in the mornings! I usually make a simple syrup with Monk fruit sugar, which works well. Now,I might try adding the orange extract to the syrup, and that will be my Triple Sec.
P.S. I LOVE your two cookbooks! I need to get the dessert one next. You are a true SF cooking genius. What I love the most is that your recipes are not complex, and they taste so good! That makes this whole process so much easier. Thanks so much!!!!
Nancy says
4. “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.”
Please fix this so people don’t try to dip an ice filled glass’s rim in a plate of salt!!! ????????????????????????❤️????????
Erica says
Wording aside, I’d speculate that if someone makes that mistake, the margarita might be an unnecessary addition to the day…
Carolyn says
Hahahahahaha!
gerry speirs says
best drinks ever!!
Jennifer Blake says
Love how simple this is to make low carb!