Lemon Margarita

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.

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.

Why This Recipe Works

• It is a spin on a a classic margarita.
• Uses just 4 ingredients, so it is quick to prepare.
• You can make 1 just for yourself or a large batch for a party.

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Ingredient Notes
• Ingredient Swaps
• Step-by-Step Photos
• FAQs
• Best Tequila for Margaritas
• Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
• Similar Recipes
• Lemon Margarita

Ingredient Notes

• Tequila - Choose a quality tequila, preferably silver or blanco, for a clean and crisp base.
• Lemons - You want to freshly squeeze the lemon juice. No store-bought bottles.
• Triple sec - Opt for a good-quality triple sec to enhance the citrus notes in the margarita.
• Agave syrup - For sweetness, use agave syrup instead of simple syrup. It complements the flavors and adds a touch of richness. It also offsets some of the tartness from the lime juice.

Ingredient Swaps

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

• Swap tequila with mezcal for a smokier flavor or use a fruit-flavored tequila for added fruitiness.
• 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

Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.

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

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.

Similar Recipes

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.