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    You Are Here: Home → Drinks and Cocktails

    Lemon Margarita

    April 15, 2021 | Updated July 13, 2021 by Ryan Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    lemon margarita with ice in glass
    two margaritas with ice on white board
    margarita with lemon in glass

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    With tequila, fresh lemon juice, triple sec and agave syrup, this lemon margarita is a more citrus forward and less sweet take on the classic margarita.

    margarita with lemon in glass

    When it comes to cocktails during the summer, the possibilities are endless - from a blackberry margarita to a peach martini to a limoncello spritz.

    And while you can have lemons year round and their season is technically winter, I always associate lemons with the summer. That sour and acidic flavor just screams hot days.

    And that same flavor works great in this lemon margarita. Offset by a slight sweetness of the agave syrup, this cocktail is way better than those margarita mixes you can buy at the store.

    So if you are looking for a drink that is great on Cinco de Mayo or a party with friends, this margarita should be at the top of the list.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Ingredient Swaps
    • Step-by-Step Photos
    • FAQs
    • Best Tequila for Margaritas
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Cocktail Recipes
    • Lemon Margarita
    two margaritas with ice on white board

    Ingredient Notes

    • Tequila - go with silver if possible and use your favorite brand.
    • Lemons - you want to freshly squeeze the lemon juice. No store-bought bottles.
    • Triple sec - an orange liquor that complements the lemons.
    • Agave syrup - a traditional ingredient in margaritas that offsets the sourness. can use sugar or create a simple syrup.

    Ingredient Swaps

    As with any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients if you want. Some variations include:

    • While I use regular lemons, Meyer lemons are a good substitute. Meyer lemons are less acidic and sweeter in taste.
    • I always have triple sec in my cabinet, but Cointreau works great as well.
    • I like agave syrup in this lemon margarita, but honey or sugar can be used as substitutes.

    Step-by-Step Photos

    process shots of how to make lemon margaritas

    Rub the rim of a glass with a lemon slice. Dip in sugar or salt or a combination of both. In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the tequila, lemon juice, triple sec and agave syrup. Shake for 20 seconds and then pour in the glass with some crushed ice. Garnish with a lemon slice.

    FAQs

    Silver vs. Gold Tequila?

    Silver tequila is bottled right after the distilling process, giving it a stronger agave flavor. Gold tequila is either aged in barrels or has caramel coloring added.

    With that said, silver tequila is not only cheaper but better for mixed drinks.

    Agave Syrup vs. Sugar?

    I just like the flavor of agave in this margarita but you can also use sugar or take the time to make a simple syrup.

    Can I Make a Frozen Margarita?

    If you want a frozen margarita, just add about 5 cups of ice to the blender and blend with the other ingredients.

    Best Tequila for Margaritas

    Like and liquor, you can go super expensive or quite affordable. Luckily there are plenty of options.

    1. Roca Patrón Silver –  It has a fresh, delicate citrus aroma with a low and balanced alcohol note. It is sweet with notes of black pepper and lime tea.
    2. Espolòn Blanco – This is a great budget tequila with bright agave flavor and notes of pepper, vanilla bean, grilled pineapple and spice.
    3. Olmeca Altos – This is my go-to. It has hints of citrus, pepper, sweet agave, fruit, herbal and earthy, with some light floral notes.

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • Take the time to freshly squeeze the lemon juice. It is cheaper and just tastes better than store-bought bottles.
    • Use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It takes takes less work and adds additional flavor.
    • Use silver tequila when making the margarita. Gold tequila can muddy the flavor.
    • Used crushed ice which will make the margarita colder quicker.
    lemon margarita with ice in glass

    Other Cocktail Recipes

    • Bourbon Peach Smash
    • Aperol Sour
    • Watermelon Crush
    • Blood Orange Martini

    If you’ve tried this lemon margarita or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    margarita with lemon in glass
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Lemon Margarita

    With tequila, fresh lemon juice, triple sec and agave syrup, this margarita is a more citrus forward and less sweet take on the classic margarita.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 448kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 3 oz silver tequila
    • 3 oz fresh lemon juice
    • 1 oz triple sec
    • 1 oz agave syrup
    • lemon wedges and salt for garnish

    Instructions

    • Cut a lemon and rub edges of glasses with it. Then dip the glasses in a plate that has either sugar or salt or a combination.
    • Combine tequila, lemon juice, triple sec and agave syrup in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 20 seconds. Strain in a margarita glass and garnish with a sliced lemon.

    Notes

    • Take the time to freshly squeeze the lemon juice. It is cheaper and just tastes better than store-bought bottles.
    • Use agave instead of simple syrup. It takes takes less work and adds additional flavor.
    • Use silver tequila when making the margarita. Gold tequila can muddy the flavor.
    • Used crushed ice which will make the margarita colder quicker.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1glass | Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 0mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 30g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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    Hey there! Welcome to Chisel & Fork, a blog with tasty recipes and DIY projects. I'm Ryan and here you'll find hundreds of recipes ranging from true comfort food to vegan. Oh and if you like woodworking, you might just find your next inspiration. Read More About Chisel & Fork…

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