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This homemade margarita mix really is the best. It’s so simple and easy to make… and with just two ingredients (+ water), all you need to do is add tequila!
It keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or the freezer for up to three months – so it’s perfect to make ahead.
Make up a batch of the BEST margarita mix for easy to make cocktails for Cinco de Mayo and summer parties!
When the warm weather hits, there’s nothing quite like a Homemade Margarita and this recipe for an easy margarita mix is perfect when you are entertaining a crowd.
Mix up a batch of this simple margarita mix to have on hand for easy cocktails. It’s so perfectly zesty and guarantees the best margaritas every single time! It takes minutes to make this cocktail base and it’s perfect to serve as part of a Margarita Bar.
If you’re planning a Cinco de Mayo gathering, you’ll need this incredible Cinco de Mayo menu guide, filled with all my favorite Mexican-inspired recipes and inspiration. It’s a can’t miss post filled with ALL the Mexican flavors you’ll ever need!
I find that the store bought mixes can be overly sweet and syrupy, whereas this homemade one is so zingy and fresh. It’s also cheaper to make your own and it really takes no time at all to make a big batch!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Homemade Margarita Mix
- Your friends will love you- showing up at a party with a bottle of this margarita mix is the BEST way to their hearts!
- Stop standing at the bar fussing over every individual cocktail… guests can pour this themselves each time.
- So easy to make.
- Minimal ingredients, minimal effort, maximum reward.
I love alllll the margaritas! You’ve got to try my mango margarita, my jalapeño margaritas, and this incredible Cadillac margarita, too!
In fact, I’ve even published a complete FREE guide to making the BEST margaritas – with every margarita recipe I have! There’s a comprehensive guide to The Best Tequila for Margaritas, too. Don’t miss all this margarita love!
Ingredients
- Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice is a requirement for the tastiest and zingiest margaritas. You can use 100% real lime juice to substitute, but in this simple recipe, the fresh juice really shines.
- Sugar – Balances the acidity from the limes while sweetening.
- Water – A splash of water is the easiest secret to creating balanced flavors.
How To Make Homemade Margarita Mix
- Prep – Juice the limes. Save yourself some time with this handy little hand juicer, or purchase a juicing attachment for your stand mixer!
- Combine – Add water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves (Check out this post for more details on easy simple syrup).
- Combine – Allow simple syrup to cool. Stir in lime juice and add tequila to make margaritas or store in a bottle.
Variations
- Substitute 1/4 of the lime juice with lemon.
- You can substitute part of the lime juice with orange juice for a fresh spin.
- Or, sub the lime juice for grapefruit to make a Paloma mix.
- While it’s not necessary, add a little triple sec or other orange liqueur to your margarita for even more fabulous flavor!
How To Make The Best Margaritas With a Mix
- Rim a glass with a lime wedge. Dip into a shallow plate filled with thick flakes of salt.
- Combine mix with tequila until you find the perfect ratio for your taste! This will be different for everyone! I tend to do two ounces of mix, two ounces of tequila, one ounce of triple sec with ice and pour in the glass.
How to Store
Once you have made this mixer, let it cool completely to room temperature and transfer it to an air tight jar or container.
- Room Temperature – You can leave the mix at room temperature up to 24 hours.
- Refrigerate – This mix keeps well up to two weeks refrigerated. It’s perfect for a make ahead mixer if you have a big party coming up.
- Freeze – You can freeze up to 3 months in an airtight container. Freeze with tequila and you can stir, scoop and serve!
QUICK TIP: I found that this mix fits perfectly into a 32 ounce glass bottle with stopper, with a little leftover. So you’ll wind up with approximately 5-6 cups of margarita mix. Depending on your mix/tequila ratio, that serves up a LOT of margaritas!
This makes for such a pretty presentation and stores your mixer afterwards, as well.
Tips for the BEST Margaritas
- To get the most juice out of each lime, let them come to room temperature and roll them on a hard surface before cutting them in half and squeezing them.
- You don’t need to boil the sugar and water mixture (simple syrup). It just needs to be heated through so that the sugar dissolves when you stir it.
- If you are sensitive to the very tart flavor of the lime juice, you can add up to one cup more water to make the mix less acidic.
Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many limes to make a cup of juice?
In general, you can expect to squeeze eight limes to get a full cup of juice. A standard size lime can typically produce two tablespoons of juice.
How much tequila do you put in a margarita mix?
A good rule of thumb for this homemade margarita mix is to do two ounces of mix, two ounces of tequila, one ounce of triple sec.
What is a Good Inexpensive Tequila for Margaritas?
Well I am sure the answer to this question is up for debate! Here’s a few flavor tips based on years of margarita-drinking experience. You can find more details in my Ultimate Tequila Guide.
Try a Blanco (also known as silver) tequila. These aren’t aged so they have a lot of agave flavor and are often very inexpensive!
After making my margaritas with this homemade mix for years, I’m never buying (or drinking) a pre-made sour mix again.
What about you? Are you a margarita fan? Do you love making your own mixers? I’d love to hear from you!
Learn how to set up a Margarita Bar for the ultimate fiesta! Guests can serve themselves and customize each cocktail.
More Amazing Margarita Recipes
Did you make this? Rate the recipe and tag me on social @julieblanner!
Margarita Mix
A homemade margarita mix made with just two ingredients for the most amazing fresh flavor! This recipe makes a very large batch for easy to make cocktails – just add tequila!
Yield servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups lime juice 24-30 limes depending on size
- 1½ cups white granulated sugar white granulated
- 1½ cups water
Instructions
- Add sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until sugar dissolves.
- Let the sugar and water cool slightly.
- Stir in the lime juice.
Tips
Substitutions
- Lime Juice – Fresh squeeze lime juice is best, but you can substitute 100% lime juice from the juice aisle of your grocer as well.
- Sugar – Eliminate sugar and water and use store bought simple syrup.
Variations
- Substitute 1/4 of the lime juice with lemon
- Substitute the lime juice for grapefruit to make a paloma mix.
Tips
- To get the most juice out of each lime, let them come to room temperature and roll them on a hard surface before cutting them in half and squeezing them.
- You don’t need to boil the sugar and water mixture (simple syrup). It just needs to be heated through so that the sugar dissolves when you stir it.
- If the lime juice is too tart, you can add up to one cup more water to make the mix less acidic. Serving over crushed ice also makes a margarita less tart.
To Store
- Room Temperature – You can leave the mix at room temperature up to 24 hours.
- Refrigerate – This mix keeps well up to two weeks refrigerated. It’s perfect for a make ahead mixer if you have a big party coming up.
- Freeze – You can freeze up to three months in an airtight container. Freeze with tequila and you can stir, scoop and serve!
To Make a Margarita with this Mix
- Rim glass with lime wedge and dip in a shallow plate filled with thick flakes of salt.
- Combine mix with tequila until you find the perfect ratio for your taste! I tend to do two ounces of mix, two ounces of tequila, one ounce of triple sec with ice and pour in the glass.
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 112kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 30g (10%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 1g (2%), Saturated Fat: 1g (5%), Sodium: 3mg, Potassium: 71mg (2%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 26g (29%), Vitamin A: 30IU (1%), Vitamin C: 18mg (22%), Calcium: 10mg (1%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Natalie says
Such a summery drink! Have you tried this mix for other drinks? I bet it’s a party favorite!
Kristyn says
I’ll have to try this for a virgin margarita! Sounds refreshing & delicious!
Eden says
This margarita mix was SO good!! Refreshing, easy to make and everyone loved it! I can’t wait to make it again!
Aimee Shugarman says
Treated myself last night, this was PERFECT. Thank you 🙂
Melissa says
Oh this is my favorite – delicious!