I’m cooling off this summer with an incredible frozen cocktail concoction – a Margarita Float! A margarita float is made with sorbet for a creamy, frothy finish… and it is perfect for summer celebrations.

I simply choose my favorite sorbet flavor, grab the ingredients from our bar cart, and make a cocktail that I crave time and again. It’s a homemade margarita that doubles as a cocktail and a dessert!

Top-down view of a margarita float with a lime wedge on the rim, garnished with a scoop of mango sorbet. A plate with lime wedges and a scooper with sorbet are placed beside the drink on a marble surface.

There are a few things that make me think of summer – tacos, margaritas and plenty of sunshine. Thankfully, my friends share my same enthusiasm for tacos and margaritas and I’m sharing one of my favorite recipes with you today.

You might already know that I’ve got an amazing Cinco de Mayo menu recipe collection, filled with all my favorite Mexican-inspired recipes. After years of catering upscale events, I learned to create recipes that were simple, delicious upgrades on well-known classics.

Margaritas, for instance! These are my husband’s longtime favorite cocktail. After a few attempts, I perfected the most refreshing dessert-inspired margarita around. This margarita float doesn’t require any more effort than a mix, and it tastes so much better!

Why You’ll Love this Margarita Float

Simple Ingredients – A salted rim, tequila, water and lime sorbet and you’re on your way to the most refreshing cocktail ever.

So Refreshing – As the sorbet melts, you get the most delicious traditional margarita there is, but if you’re impatient like me, just dip your spoon into the sorbet and get equal parts liquid and enjoy!

mango margarita float next to a bottle of tequila

Ingredients and Substitutions

Sorbet – Make my homemade Lime sorbet for a classic margarita flavor. Or, mix it up with your favorite fruity sorbet flavor – it’s so easy to create your own delicious version of this margarita float!
Tequila – Learn about the Best Tequila for Margaritas here. Don’t like tequila? Try a mojito float instead – made with rum!
Water – Only if you’re worried it will be too strong.
Salt – Optional, for the rim.

Variations

Mango Sorbet
Watermelon
Lemon
Strawberry
Raspberry
Peach
Pineapple
Orange sherbet
Grapefruit

A glass with an orange drink and ice on a marble surface is garnished with a lime wedge. Clear liquid is being poured into the glass from a bottle, creating a refreshing margarita float.

Tips from My Test Kitchen

Chill tequila for best presentation.
Rim with salt for classic margarita flavor – or, you can also rim it with white granulated sugar.
Garnish with a lime wedge. You can squeeze it for a hint of lime in every sip.

A glass filled with light green, shaved ice garnished with a slice of lime on the rim, creating a refreshing margarita float. — *An original margarita float, made with lime sorbet*

Host a Margarita Bar

Learn how to set up a Margarita Bar for the ultimate fiesta! Guests can serve themselves and customize each cocktail.

Entertaining

Margarita Bar

Learn how to set up a Margarita Bar for fun and effortless entertaining. A margarita bar is perfect for Cinco de Mayo, summertime holidays and events. Read More

15 mins

A glass of salt-rimmed mango margarita with a lime wedge on the rim is being filled with a clear liquid from a bottle, creating the perfect margarita float.

5 from 3 votes

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Margarita Float

By Julie Blanner

Easy margarita float – one of this summer’s ice cream cocktails you won’t want to miss. A refreshing summer drink recipe perfect for any occasion.

Prep: 3

Total: 3

Servings:

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Ingredients

▢ 3 ounces tequila
▢ 12 ounces lime sorbet approximately 3 scoops
▢ 1 ounce water Optional
▢ Salt for rim

Instructions

Rim a glass with salt using a lime wedge. Dip glass onto a shallow plate of margarita salt.
Salt
Add your favorite sorbet.
12 ounces lime sorbet
Pour tequila over the top. Sip and savor!
3 ounces tequila
Optional step: If you feel like it's a touch too strong, add a splash of water, sparkling water or club soda.
1 ounce water