How to Make a Simple Lemon Margarita

Want a lemony spin on the classic cocktail? This simple lemon margarita uses just 4 ingredients and is ready in mere minutes!

A Classic Margarita is versatile and close to the perfect cocktail already, but sometimes I like to mix it up a little. That’s where the lemon margarita comes in!

This drink captures everything great about a margarita, but swaps the lime for a lemony citrus vibe. It’s refreshing and a unique take on the standard.

Using lemon also makes this margarita pair well with foods outside the traditional margarita fare. It could even replace the classic as your go-to cocktail!

What’s in a lemon margarita?

Classic margaritas feature tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and often a little agave or simple syrup to sweeten the mixture. This lemon margarita recipe is basically the same idea, but with lemon instead.

I find that it doesn’t even need any sweetener. It’s perfectly crisp and tart without it. Here’s what you’ll need for this lemon margarita:

• Tequila
• Lemon juice
• Cointreau
• Salt for the rim

Putting it together

Because it only has a few ingredients, it’s so fast to make this tangy cocktail! Here’s how to make this lemon margarita:

1. Rim the glass with salt. The salt enhances the sweet and sour flavors in the drink. To make the perfect salt rim, keep reading.
2. Shake in a cocktail shaker. Mix the lemon juice, Cointreau, and tequila in a cocktail shaker until it’s cold.
3. Strain into a glass and add ice. Strain the margarita into a glass and add ice. That’s it! You’ve made a simple lemon margarita in 5 minutes.

Variations on the margarita

If you’d like to shake things up a bit more, you could try using an entirely different citrus juice in place of the lemon juice in this margarita recipe. Grapefruit juice might work well here, and orange juice would give this margarita recipe serious tequila sunrise vibes.

If you really want to get creative, here are a few more ways to make a margarita you might enjoy:

• Light: Skinny, Virgin, or Frozen
• Boozy: Mezcal Margarita or Cadillac Margarita
• Fruity: Mango, Peach, Watermelon, Blackberry, Strawberry
• Spicy: Jalapeno Margarita
• Unique: Italian Margarita or Beer Margarita
• Batch: Margarita Pitcher or Margarita Mix

Secrets for a perfect salt rim

It starts with the salt. Use either kosher salt or flaky sea salt. Both have a nice chunky texture. You can also try my Margarita Salt, a mix of orange and lime zest that will make your glass look extra festive.

Here are a few more tips for making the perfect salt rim:

1. Spread the salt on a plate in an even layer.
2. Take a lemon wedge and cut a notch in the middle, then slide it around the rim of the glass.
3. To rim the glass, you’ll want the salt on the outside of the glass only, not the inside, where it can fall into the drink. To do this, tilt the glass and gently rotate it so the outside edge goes into the salt.
4. Shake off any loose salt into the sink.

Dress it up with clear ice

Clear ice is artisanal ice used in cocktails because of its crystal clear look and beautiful organic shapes. You can make clear ice at home, and it’s so easy! All you need is a small cooler and 24 hours, and your cocktails will look extra stunning. 

Pairing ideas

For the full experience, pair your lemon margarita with some tasty food! Mexican food is often paired alongside classic margaritas, and it’d work here, too. Try my Shrimp Tacos, Easy Vegan Tacos, or a Mexican Pizza. For a casual night, I love my Sheet Pan Nachos.

Because the lemon vibe makes it more of a fusion drink, you could also pair it with food that has less of a strong Latin vibe. Try my Grilled Shrimp or Baked Salmon with Chimichurri for starters.

This recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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