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Beergarita, beerita…call it what you will! This beer margarita recipe is a refreshing twist on the classic, blending tangy lime and tequila with the crispness of your favorite beer. It’s easy to make, perfect for parties, and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
A beer margarita is a fun spin on the classic margarita for lager lovers. Also known as a beergarita or a beerita, many recipes for this one call for frozen limeade concentrate. But that’s not what a great cocktail is made of, is it?
This beer margarita recipe has no limeade, just pure lime juice that pairs perfectly with the hops and bitter notes of a beer. It’s become an instant favorite around here, especially when the weather’s right and taco season is calling!
What’s in a beer margarita?
A beer margarita is simply a margarita with beer, so you’ll want to start with a recipe for the classic 1930s cocktail. The beerita adds beer to the mix, along with a little simple syrup. Here’s the short list of what you’ll need for this one:
- Tequila
- Cointreau (orange liqueur)
- Lime juice
- Beer
- Simple syrup
Again, most beer margarita recipes call for frozen limeade concentrate. For my take, I wanted to stick with the classic margarita, so I simply used my classic margarita recipe with the addition of beer and a hint of simple syrup.
The flavor is so pure, tangy, and nuanced from the beer. It was an instant hit at my house!
Choosing your beer
To make a great beer margarita, you can’t use just any old beer! Here are a few options I recommend:
- Use a lager for a classic flavor, like Corona, since it’s a Mexican beer.
- Step it up with a craft IPA! This is what I like to use for my cocktail, and it really takes the cocktail over the top. Choose a hoppy IPA with citrus notes.
- Avoid strong or hoppy beers that might overpower the margarita flavors.
Making a beer margarita
To mix up your beer margarita, there’s not much to it! You don’t even need to use a cocktail shaker with this one, which makes it even easier. Here’s what to do:
- Rim the glass with salt. Salt enhances the sweet and sour flavors in the drink and gives you that classic margarita flavor.
- Stir together in the serving glass. Take the tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and Cointreau, and stir them together in a glass.
- Add ice and pour in the chilled beer. The beer adds just the right bubbly carbonation to this classic drink.
Ideas for the salt rim
For this beer margarita, I skipped the salt rim for a little variation. (Hey, I have 25 other margarita recipes and they all have a salt rim!) It’s not needed for the flavor on this one. But if you love that classic margarita salty zing, feel free to add it before mixing up your beergarita.
The best salt for a salt rim is kosher salt or flaky sea salt, since they have the best coarse texture. If you want to make it look even more festive, try a batch of my margarita salt. The green and orange colors of lime and orange zest look beautiful against the glass.
Serving your beer margarita
The beergarita is perfect whenever you’d serve a regular margarita! It’s great with Mexican-style food of all kinds. Serve it with shrimp tacos, guacamole, salsa, and grilled corn for a stellar meal and cocktail combo.
More margarita recipes
I’ve got all sorts of variations on the margarita outside of this beerita! Pick from one of these fun and fruity margarita recipes.
Frequently asked questions
This unique cocktail combines the classic margarita flavors of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur with the crispness and fizz of your favorite beer.
Surprisingly, no! The tartness of the margarita complements the bitterness of the beer, creating a refreshingly balanced drink.
Building the drink (layering ingredients) is the preferred method. Shaking it can create too much foam.
Not at all! I suggest using a glass mug, pint glass, or mason jar for a more casual feel.
Beer Margarita
Beergarita, beerita…call it what you will! Here’s the best beer margarita recipe, fresh and natural with real lime and tequila.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces* tequila blanco or reposado*
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 4 ounces chilled beer (lager for classic taste, hoppy IPA with citrus notes for something more interesting)
- Ice, to serve
- Garnish: lime wheel
- Optional: kosher salt for salt rim
Instructions
- Optional: Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of flaky sea salt. (For a festive look, try margarita salt).
- Add tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and simple syrup to the serving glass and stir to combine.
- Add ice and pour beer over the top. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons.
Let us know if you have any questions!
This recipe looks delicious and refreshing! I can’t wait to try it out with my friends this summer. Thanks for sharing!
I need to make a big batch beerita can you help me with measurements?
For 8 servings, mix:
1 1/2 cups tequila blanco or reposado*
1 cup Cointreau
1 cup fresh lime juice
When serving, do a scant 1/2 cup of the mix and a half cup of beer.