It’s nearly time to pull out all our outdoor plans for summer. Whether it’s going to the beach, watching a baseball game or relaxing in the yard with friends, there’s always something to enjoy. But it’s no fun going empty-handed, you know? You need a cold summer sipper to make your good day even better.
I recommend learning how to make margaritas from scratch, so you can mix up a pickle juice margarita!
Why Should I Put Pickle Juice in My Margarita?
Have you ever stopped to wonder why we put salt on the rim of our margarita glasses? Yes, it’s tasty, but it’s also there for another reason. The saltiness helps intensify the sweet and sour flavors in a margarita, and therefore our experience becomes even more delicious! Who doesn’t want that?
Pickle juice works in the same way. If you’ve ever made your own pickles, you know that you need a good amount of salt. Adding a splash of pickle brine a margarita recipe amps up the flavor in the best way possible.
How to Make a Pickle Juice Margarita
Now you might be thinking…is it a whole jar of pickle juice? Don’t worry, it’s only a bit!
First, pick your go-to margarita recipe. There’s classic lime, cherry and even jalapeno-grapefruit (this one would work perfectly). While making your margarita, add a splash of pickle juice to your recipe. Just remember that the more you add, the saltier the drink becomes.
It sounds a bit odd, but don’t knock it until you try it. Make this the year you try things outside your comfort zone. And always add a few frozen margaritas in there, too, just for good measure.
Every Way to Make a Margarita
Once you learn
how to make a margarita the classic way (3 parts tequila, 2 parts Triple Sec, 1 part lime juice), you can add other fruit juices, fruit puree, herbs and more. A flavored margarita recipe will get you started, but feel free to break from the recipe and experiment with your own favorite ingredients.
Test Kitchen tip: When you’re adding flavor, start slowly and build your way up. It’s always easier to add more frozen strawberries or mango juice than it is to take those ingredients out.
Classic Lime MargaritaA classic margarita recipe doesn't need anything other than tequila, Triple Sec and fresh lime juice. This recipe calls for blanco tequila, which is the
best tequila for margaritas, according to our Test Kitchen.
(Counting calories? Here's
how to make a skinny margarita.)
Frozen Sriracha-Mango MargaritaLoaded with mango nectar and mango chunks, this
frozen margarita is tropical and refreshing. The sweetness of the fruit helps offset the spiciness of the
Sriracha, giving this mango margarita a unique and fun twist.
(Here are other ways to
upgrade a margarita.)
Jalapeno Grapefruit MargaritaOne of our
best margarita recipes, this spicy grapefruit margarita gets a kick from fresh jalapenos. But when you’re working with a particularly potent flavor profile (such as jalapeno), be very careful not to overpower the batch by using too much.
Frozen Strawberry-Basil MargaritaFresh, fruity and cool, this strawberry-basil margarita may be the perfect summer cocktail. Here's
how to make a frozen strawberry margarita, step by step.
Blue Curacao MargaritaThis margarita uses Blue Curacao instead of Triple Sec for a fun spin on a classic cocktail. The vibrant blue drink will make you think you're on the shores of a Caribbean island.
(For more tropical cocktails, check out these
Tiki drink recipes!)
Watermelon MargaritaThis frozen watermelon margarita is the perfect drink to serve at backyard summer barbecues. As you're preparing it, use these tricks for
how to cut a watermelon.
Test Kitchen tip: When you’re making frozen margaritas, you generally want to add less juice and more fruit or ice.
Frozen Coconut MargaritaTake your cocktail to the tropics with this refreshing coconut margarita. It's a smooth, tangy treat made with cream of coconut as well as lime.
(Love coconut? Try these
pina colada-inspired recipes)!
Grapefruit MargaritaIf you take our classic margarita recipe and swap the lime juice for an ounce of grapefruit juice, you've got yourself a grapefruit margarita! Add a drizzle of grenadine to create a beautiful sunset look.
Frozen Lemon-Berry MargaritaMade with berries and lemonade concentrate, this frozen margarita recipe is a cool summer treat. Since the tequila is optional and there's no Triple Sec, it can be a family-friendly beverage, too!
(Looking for other mocktail recipes? Here's
how to make a virgin margarita.)
Melon MargaritaMelon liqueur dramatically changes the flavor and color of a classic margarita—and it also makes it sweeter. If you'd like your melon margarita a little more tart, our Test Kitchen recommends cutting back on the liqueur just a tiny bit.
Frozen Ginger-Raspberry MargaritaGinger and lime are a classic cocktail flavor combination, and we added raspberry for a surprising fruity twist. This cocktail is perfect for spring or summer parties.
Kumquat MargaritaIf you're looking for a unique margarita, then look no further than this kumquat margarita recipe. Kumquats are in season during the winter months, so use this drink to bring a bit of sunshine to a winter gathering.
Frozen Blueberry-Mint MargaritaThis frozen blueberry-mint margarita is super easy to make—just add a cup of frozen blueberries and four fresh mint leaves to a classic lime margarita recipe and blend.
Amaretto MargaritaThis amaretto margarita adds a touch of Italian flair to the classic lime beverage. If you enjoy the taste of amaretto, try these other
amaretto cocktails.
Frozen Cherry MargaritaWith cherry juice and frozen pitted cherries, this margarita recipe is packed with sweet, tart flavors.
Updated: Apr. 26, 2022
