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 1/4 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 (85.05 g) good tequila, white
- 1/4 cup (60.5 g) freshly squeezed lime juice, (2 ounces)
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) orange extract
- 1 tbsp 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.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
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It’s 5 o’clock somewhere right … lol !! I am thinking this is the drink of choice this weekend.
Now we need the recipe for Mai Tai
Yum! I always love a good margarita and low carb makes it even better! Thanks for sharing.
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!
These margaritas were fantastic! Thanks for the recipe!
These are perfect for my low carb diet- thank you!
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!
Sounds great!
Made one this evening. Smiled and sipped with pure delight! Thank you!
So glad to hear it!
This was a great low carb margarita! I’ve been looking for low carb cocktails and margaritas are one of my favorites
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!!!!
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!!! ????????????????????????❤️????????
Wording aside, I’d speculate that if someone makes that mistake, the margarita might be an unnecessary addition to the day…
Hahahahahaha!
best drinks ever!!
Love how simple this is to make low carb!
YES PLEASE!
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.
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.
Thank you from all us diabetics out there who still want a good (safe) drink now and then…slainte!!?