10+ Margarita Recipes to Shake Up Your Happy Hour

Margaritas are a classic, refreshing cocktail that people all over the world can’t seem to get enough of. If you want to mix up your happy hour, you’re in the right spot.

Let’s dive into some fun margarita recipes you can try at home.

Maybe you love a classic lime margarita, or maybe you’re itching to try something a little wild. Either way, there’s a recipe here for you.

Most of these drinks use simple ingredients and straightforward steps. You don’t need to be a pro bartender to make something delicious.

1) Classic Margarita with Tequila, Triple Sec, and Lime Juice

The classic margarita is iconic for a reason. You mix tequila, triple sec, and fresh lime juice, and you’re pretty much set.

Shake these with ice to chill everything down. If you like, rim your glass with salt for a little extra zing.

Serve it in a chilled glass—nobody likes a warm margarita. If you want a touch of sweetness, toss in a splash of simple syrup.

This recipe is super easy to tweak to your own taste.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ ounces tequila
• 1 ½ ounces triple sec
• 1 ¼ ounces fresh lime juice
• Salt for glass rim (optional)
• Simple syrup (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub a lime around your glass rim and dip it in salt if you want a salted edge.
2. Add tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and ice to a shaker.
3. Shake it up until cold, about 15 seconds.
4. Strain into the glass.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy.

For more details, check out this classic margarita recipe.

2) Frozen Margarita with Blended Ice and Lime

Frozen margaritas are just fun, aren’t they? You blend ice with lime juice, tequila, and triple sec until you get that perfect slushy texture.

You can sweeten it up with a little syrup if you want. The lime keeps things bright and tangy, and the tequila gives it that kick.

Crushed or cubed ice both work—use whatever you have on hand. Pour it into a salt-rimmed glass and top with a lime wedge.

Ingredients

• 2 cups ice cubes
• 1 cup lime juice
• 1 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup triple sec
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Add ice, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and syrup to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and slushy.
3. Pour into glasses with salted rims.
4. Garnish with lime wedges.

3) Skinny Margarita with Agave Syrup

Want something lighter? Try a skinny margarita. Agave syrup keeps it sweet without loading on the sugar.

Mix silver tequila, fresh lime juice, a splash of orange juice, and agave syrup. Shake it all with ice to chill and blend the flavors.

Serve it on the rocks or straight up, with or without a salt rim. It’s easy to whip up for yourself or a crowd.

Ingredients

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz fresh orange juice
• 1/2 oz agave syrup
• Ice
• Salt (optional, for rimming glass)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rim your glass with salt if that’s your thing.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Pour in tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave syrup.
4. Shake for about 30 seconds until it’s cold.
5. Strain into your glass over ice.
6. Garnish with a lime wedge if you’re feeling fancy.

Find more tips for this recipe at WellPlated.com.

4) Pomegranate Margarita with Fresh Seeds

Pomegranate margaritas look as good as they taste. Start by muddling fresh pomegranate seeds in a shaker to get that juicy sweetness.

Add tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and a dash of orange bitters. Shake it all up with ice until it’s nice and cold.

Pour into a glass rimmed with salt or sugar. The red seeds floating in the drink make it look extra festive.

Ingredients:

• Fresh pomegranate seeds
• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• A few dashes of orange bitters
• Ice
• Salt or sugar for the rim

Cooking Instructions:

1. Muddle pomegranate seeds in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, bitters, and ice.
3. Shake well until chilled.
4. Rim your glass with salt or sugar.
5. Strain and pour the margarita into the glass.
6. Garnish with extra pomegranate seeds if you want.

For more details, see this pomegranate margarita recipe.

5) Cucumber Margarita with Mint and Lime

Cucumber margaritas are super refreshing, especially when it’s hot out. Muddle fresh cucumber and mint together for a cool, crisp flavor.

Add silver tequila and fresh lime juice. A little Cointreau or orange liqueur gives it a sweet, citrusy layer.

Rim your glass with salt if you’re into that. Serve it over ice and toss in a cucumber slice or a mint sprig for garnish.

Ingredients

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz Cointreau (or orange liqueur)
• 3 cucumber slices
• 1 sprig fresh mint
• Kosher salt for the rim

Cooking Instructions

1. Rim your glass with salt.
2. Muddle cucumber slices and mint in a shaker.
3. Add tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau.
4. Fill shaker with ice and shake well.
5. Strain into the salted glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with a cucumber slice or mint sprig.

6) Pineapple Habanero Margarita with a Spicy Kick

If you like your drinks with a little fire, this one’s for you. Pineapple juice brings a tropical sweetness, and habanero peppers add a real punch.

You’ll use tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup to round it all out. Adjust the habanero if you want more (or less) heat.

Try mezcal instead of tequila if you’re after a smoky twist. Garnish with a slice of habanero or pineapple to show off that spicy-sweet vibe.

Ingredients

• 1 oz silver tequila
• 1/2 oz habanero-infused tequila
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 1/2 oz pineapple juice
• Pinch of simple syrup
• Fresh habanero slices (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine everything in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well until chilled.
3. Strain into a glass with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a slice of habanero or pineapple.
5. Serve right away and enjoy that spicy-sweet kick.

For more details, check out this pineapple habanero margarita recipe.

7) Mumbai Margarita with Indian Spices

The Mumbai Margarita is a fun spin with Indian flavors. Mango puree and spicy rose syrup bring sweetness and warmth, while fresh lime juice brightens everything up.

Some recipes add a slice of green chili for a bit of heat. The mix of tequila and spices keeps things lively.

Garnish with a dehydrated lime wheel or a sprig of mint for a nice touch.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Patrón Reposado tequila
• 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.75 oz fresh mango puree
• 0.5 oz spicy rose syrup
• Green chili slice (optional)
• Dehydrated lime wheel or fresh mint for garnish

Cooking Instructions:

1. Combine tequila, lime juice, mango puree, and spicy rose syrup in a shaker.
2. Add ice and shake well.
3. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with chili slice and lime wheel or mint.

8) Margarita with Cointreau and Fresh Lime

You can’t go wrong with a margarita that uses Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and tequila. This combo creates a sharp, balanced flavor that feels super fresh.

Squeeze your own lime juice for the best taste. Bottled stuff just doesn’t have the same zip.

Cointreau adds a smooth orange note without making things too sweet. The blend is simple but really hits the spot.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila blanco
• 1 oz Cointreau
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Ice
• Salt for rimming the glass (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rim your glass with salt if you like.
2. Pour tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice into a shaker.
3. Add ice and shake well for about 15 seconds.
4. Strain into your glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge.

For more details, check the Cointreau Margarita Recipe.

9) Margarita with Orange Liqueur and Salt Rim

This margarita keeps things classic—simple, bright, and hard to mess up. Start by salting the rim of your glass, which gives every sip a punchy, salty contrast.

Mix up tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur for that sweet-tart thing margaritas do so well. Shake everything with ice until it’s nice and cold.

Pour the mix into your salt-rimmed glass. That’s it—you’re set for a solid margarita.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila
• 1 oz orange liqueur (like triple sec)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Coarse salt for the rim
• Ice

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass.
2. Dip the rim into coarse salt to coat it.
3. Add tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice to a shaker with ice.
4. Shake well until the outside feels cold.
5. Strain into the salt-rimmed glass filled with fresh ice.

10) Margarita with a Splash of Agave Nectar

This margarita leans on agave nectar for a gentle, natural sweetness. It’s a smooth mix—tart lime juice, a good shot of tequila, and just enough agave to round it out.

The orange flavor from triple sec blends in without overpowering anything. If you want it sweeter, just add a little more agave; if not, hold back.

Pour it over crushed ice in a salted glass. Honestly, it’s hard to beat for a relaxed evening or hanging out with friends.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 0.5 oz triple sec
• 0.5 oz agave nectar
• Crushed ice
• Salt for rimming the glass

Cooking Instructions

1. Start by rimming your glass with salt.

2. Pour tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and agave nectar into a shaker.

3. Toss in some ice. Shake it all up for about 15 seconds—give it some energy.

4. Pour the mix into your glass over crushed ice.

5. If you feel like it, add a lime wedge on top.

Curious about agave nectar? You might want to check out this Agave Nectar Margarita Recipe.