Recipe: Skinny Margarita (On The Rocks)

A skinny margarita is the best alternative to the super-sized frozen margaritas commonly served at Mexican restaurants. A typical margarita can be well over 700 calories. And margarita mixes you buy pre-made are full of sugar and food coloring too.

Instead, I like to make my own healthy margarita. It has simple ingredients and is a snap to make. I make this skinny margarita on the rocks as opposed to the frozen margaritas typically served at a restaurant. This makes it a low-calorie margarita, but still with delicious flavor!

So whether you’re making up a big batch of guacamole and throwing a fiesta alongside these skinny margaritas or just sipping on them on a summer evening after dinner, we’re sure this is a recipe you’ll come back to time and again.

How Many Calories Are in a Skinny Margarita?

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This is a low-calorie margarita recipe. There are approximately 64 calories per ounce of tequila and 76 calories in Cointreau. Other than that, there really are no calories.

Stevia and monk fruit both are no-calorie sweeteners and the calories from lime and lemon juice are negligible. 

How To Make A Homemade Simple Syrup

For this skinny margarita recipe, I like to make a very easy, “simple syrup.” All I do is mix 1 packet of stevia or 1 packet of monk fruit powder with a few drops of hot water.

The hot water helps it to dissolve before it goes into the drink, however, if you’d like to just add it directly into your margarita, you can do so.

We typically do about 1 packet per drink, but you can add this to taste.

Best Tequila For Skinny Margaritas

While any tequila will work for making these skinny margaritas, our personal favorite and what I think is the best tequila for margaritas is Casamigos.

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How To Make A Skinny Margarita On The Rocks

Making a margarita on the rocks could not be easier. This recipe makes four servings, but of course, you can adapt to just make one, etc. Here are the steps:

1. Juice your lime and lemons. Set aside.
2. Make a simple syrup by combining 1 packet of stevia or 1 packet of monk fruit powder with a few drops of hot water – we typically use about 1 packet per drink. Set aside.
3. Line up 4 glasses and run a slice of lime around each rim. Dip in margarita salt and fill each glass with ice. 
4. Add 1 shot of tequila and 1 shot of Cointreau to each glass.
5. Equally, distribute the lime/lemon juice between the 4 glasses.
6. Add simple syrup to taste.
7. Fill each with sparkling water.

Skinny Margarita Recipe Variations

Skinny Spicy Margarita

We love adding a few jalapeños to the glass for a spicy option. Before adding anything else, add a few slices of jalapeno to each glass. Muddle it around in the glass, then proceed with the recipe as normal, add your ice, lemon/lime juice, alcohol, and sparkling water.

Skinny Pineapple Margarita

Follow the same recipe but add a splash of fresh (or canned) pineapple juice. Garnish with pineapple and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation! 

Sweetener Variations

Agave: Some people prefer to use agave as a sweetener for their margarita. This is a liquid sweetener that contains less glucose and thus a lower glycemic index than table sugar. 

Real sugar: We like to use stevia or monk fruit to eliminate added sugars, but if you prefer to use real sugar, you can do so using the same steps. Keep in mind that real sugar might take a bit more stirring to dissolve.

Favorite Skinny Margarita Tools

We are seriously obsessed with this citrus juicer. I think it is an absolute must-have, not only for making these skinny margaritas but also for all of your citrus juicing needs. 

If you’re making a skinny spicy margarita, it’s nice to have a muddler on hand for the jalapenos as well. These ice cube molds are also super fun to use for margaritas on the rocks and cocktails in general.

More Low-Calorie Drink Recipies To Try

You can enjoy other refreshing beverages by making them with our better-for-you recipes. Cheers!

Pineapple Moscow Mule

Kentucky Derby Mint Julep

Cucumber Lemonade Fizz Cocktail

Tequila Soda

Basil Vodka Lemonade Cocktail