FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Skinny Margarita Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make A Skinny Margarita
• My Recipe Tips
• Flavor Variations
• Mexican Food Pairings
• Skinny Margarita Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

This skinny margarita recipe is my favorite skinny cocktail! It’s got everything I love in a classic margarita — zesty lime, just the right amount of sweetness, and a perfectly smooth finish — without all the extra sugar and calories. When I’ve served this to friends, they almost couldn’t believe it was a lighter version, except they know me better than to think I’d bring sugar. 😉 Whether you like it blended or on the rocks, a batch always gets the party started. Come make a skinny margarita with me for the perfect happy hour!

Why You Need My Skinny Margarita Recipe

• Naturally sweet, citrusy, and refreshing – The classic margarita flavor in my recipe comes from real lime juice, orange extract, and a touch of natural sweetener. It’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
• Just 106 calories and virtually zero sugar – So many so-called skinny margarita recipes and mixes are still packed with sugar, and often artificial ingredients. Mine has no sugar (and yes, it’s still sweet), fewer calories, and clean ingredients. And I try to make my homemade drink the next day to replenish those electrolytes.
• Make it blended or on the rocks – Because I love giving you options! I’m partial to blended, but I’ve got instructions for both.
• 5 ingredients + 5 minutes – Enough said.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my easy skinny margarita recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Tequila – I recommend a high quality tequila even though it’s mixed in, as you’ll get a much smoother taste if the alcohol is not harsh. Classic margaritas typically use silver (blanco tequila), but gold or reposado (which I used) works, too.
• Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice is best! Since it’s a main ingredient here, you’ll really notice a difference over bottled. Most margaritas in the U.S. use regular limes, but I discovered when visiting Mexico that key limes are commonly used there — they add a slightly sweeter, more intense flavor.
• Orange Extract – I like this brand , and use this to get that citrus flavor without the sugary triple sec! (Did you know orange liqueur has 11g of sugar per ounce? No, thanks!) If you don’t have orange extract, a little orange zest or a splash of fresh orange juice can work.
• Sweetener – Most skinny margaritas are really just traditional margaritas in disguise, using agave nectar… which is still sugar! I use Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend in mine, which dissolves easily (this is key), has no sugar or calories, and tastes the same (no aftertaste). Notes on other types I’ve tried: Erythritol, stevia, and other monk fruit brands – I don’t recommend these. None of them dissolve well, plus they leave an aftertaste! Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Simple Syrup – I tested this more recently and (no surprise?), it works perfectly. Use 2-3 tablespoons per drink. Agave – This works, but adds a lot of sugar. Xylitol – I actually have a friend who used to make her skinny margarita with xylitol. They were quite good, but she’s converted to my allulose-based Besti sweetener because it has a zero glycemic index. 😊
• Garnishes – Gotta have sea salt and lime wedges for the rim of your glass! I prefer coarse sea salt, but only had fine when I took these pictures. Any salt you have will do.
• Ice Cubes – I make mine in this ice cube tray . They’re not too big and pop out so easily.

How To Make A Skinny Margarita

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Blend the ingredients. Combine the tequila, lime juice, orange extract, Besti, and ice cubes in a powerful blender , and blend. Use more ice if needed to make 4 cups (32 fluid ounces).

VARIATION: Make it on the rocks instead!

I like my margs frozen, so that is how I wrote my skinny margarita recipe. If you like it on the rocks, blend everything else together without the ice (or stir in a large pitcher — I have that pictured further below on this page!).

I recommend adding water to your taste before pouring over ice, because the rocks version tastes more concentrated than blended.

1. Salt the rim. Run a slice of lime around the rim of each margarita glass (I used these glasses for a classic look!). Dip the rim into a plate or shallow bowl covered in sea salt. If you’re making the rocks variation, add ice to your glasses, too.
2. Pour the skinny margaritas into your glasses. Don’t forget to garnish with slices of lime, too!

My Recipe Tips

• For the blended version, use the ice crush setting on your blender to get that perfect slushy texture. I love my blender for this, because it’s powerful enough to crush ice smoothly without leaving any big chunks.
• Blender not powerful enough? If your blender can’t crush ice, I recommend making your skinny margarita on the rocks instead, like my variation above. You could also try a food processor if you have one.
• For the rocks version, a cocktail shaker helps. I have this one and feel all fancy when I pull it out! It’s definitely not required, but it aerates your drink (for a better flavor), chills it faster than stirring with the ice, and dilutes it a bit.
• Want to make a mix for later? I do this all the time when I have people coming over the next day and know I’ll be busy cooking the actual food. To prep this skinny margarita recipe in advance, mix together the lime juice, orange extract, and Besti the day before. Right before serving, simply blend, shake, or stir with the tequila and ice. If you want to make a single drink with the mix, my go-to ratio is 1.5 tablespoons of mix, 1.5 ounces of tequila, and 1 1/4 cups of ice.
• How I order skinny margaritas at restaurants: Not a recipe tip, but I couldn’t leave this out! It’s tricky because most places use a pre-made mix that still has a lot of sugar. I usually ask if they don’t use a mix and can make it without simple syrup. If that’s not an option, I order a tequila mojito without simple syrup (essentially tequila, lime juice, and soda water) — it’s so refreshing!

Flavor Variations

I make this classic skinny margarita recipe most often, but occasionally I mix it up with these versions. Give them a try if you want something new and different:

• Jalapeño – Muddle 1-2 sliced jalapeños with lime juice, strain out the peppers, and mix it into your margarita.
• Avocado – Blend in 1/2 an avocado and a handful of cilantro, and skip the orange extract. It’s different, but I love the creaminess.
• Berry – Swap 2 cups of ice for fresh or frozen berries. I like strawberries or blackberries, but you can try other fruits too, like grapefruit or mango.
• Watermelon – One of my favorites! For the most refreshing skinny margarita ever, swap 2 cups of ice for watermelon. Fresh watermelon first, but I like this even better if I pre-freeze the chunks.
• Spices – To give it a little heat, mix chili powder with the salt before dipping your glass.
• Ice Pops – Freeze the blended mix in an ice pop mold for boozy margarita pops! Or just add tequila and lime juice to my sugar-free popsicles recipe .

Mexican Food Pairings

No skinny margarita recipe is complete without some good food to go with it! Here are some of my favorite pairings:

• Tacos – You can’t go wrong with tacos and margs! Whether it’s classic taco meat stuffed inside tortillas or something a little different (like my zucchini taco boats or taco salad ), I think taco flavors make the best margarita nights. And don’t forget the taco slaw !
• Fajitas – Sizzling chicken fajitas or shrimp fajitas with a cold, skinny cocktail? Yes, please. And if you want something completely hands off, make my steak sheet pan fajitas !
• Chips & Dip – Lately, I’m obsessed with baked tortilla chips , but any chip will do for scooping up fresh guac , salsa , my 7-layer taco dip , or even a Mexican shrimp cocktail .
• My Other Favorites – That fresh lime flavor goes so well with my cilantro lime chicken , but I also love it with barbacoa beef , stuffed poblano peppers , or carne asada .

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 6 fl oz Tequila (use quality tequila) ▢
• 1/3 cup Lime juice (preferably freshly squeezed) ▢
• 1/2 tbsp Orange extract ▢
• 1/4 cup Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or sugar-free simple syrup ; to taste) ▢
• 5 cup Ice cubes (or more – see instructions) ▢
• Sea salt (for salted rim) ▢
• Lime wedges (for garnish) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Combine all ingredients (except sea salt and lime wedges) in a powerful blender . Blend using the ice crush setting until a slushy texture forms. Add more ice if needed to make about 32 fl oz (a little less than 1 L) total (for four 1-cup margaritas). Adjust sweetener to your taste.
2. Run a slice of lime around the rim of each glass. Dip the rim into a plate or shallow bowl covered in sea salt. Pour frozen margaritas into the glasses and garnish with lime.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 margarita, or 1/4 of entire recipe

• How to make these on the rocks: Blend everything else together without the ice (or stir in a large pitcher), then pour over ice. I recommend adding water to your taste before pouring over ice, because the rocks version tastes more concentrated than blended.
• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the perfect texture (for both frozen margaritas or ones on the rocks), make my skinny margarita mix to use later, and more. I even shared how I order a skinny margarita at any restaurant!
• Flavor variations: Want to mix things up? Check out my flavor variations for fun add-ins.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Skinny Margarita Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Skinny Margarita

Learn how to make the BEST skinny margarita recipe in 5 minutes! It’s naturally sweetened, refreshing, and much lighter than a mix.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/skinny-margarita/

Ingredients

• 6 fl oz Tequila (use quality tequila)
• 1/3 cup Lime juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
• 1/2 tbsp Orange extract
• 1/4 cup Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend (or sugar-free simple syrup ; to taste)
• 5 cup Ice cubes (or more - see instructions)
• Sea salt (for salted rim)
• Lime wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients (except sea salt and lime wedges) in a powerful blender . Blend using the ice crush setting until a slushy texture forms. Add more ice if needed to make about 32 fl oz (a little less than 1 L) total (for four 1-cup margaritas). Adjust sweetener to your taste.
2. Run a slice of lime around the rim of each glass. Dip the rim into a plate or shallow bowl covered in sea salt. Pour frozen margaritas into the glasses and garnish with lime.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 margarita, or 1/4 of entire recipe

• How to make these on the rocks: Blend everything else together without the ice (or stir in a large pitcher), then pour over ice. I recommend adding water to your taste before pouring over ice, because the rocks version tastes more concentrated than blended.
• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the perfect texture (for both frozen margaritas or ones on the rocks), make my skinny margarita mix to use later, and more. I even shared how I order a skinny margarita at any restaurant!
• Flavor variations: Want to mix things up? Check out my flavor variations for fun add-ins.

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)