Craving a margarita without the guilt? Our spicy skinny margarita delivers all the zesty flavor you love, with a fiery kick and fewer calories. This refreshing cocktail balances the bite of tequila with fresh lime and a hint of heat, perfect for those who like their drinks bold and figure-friendly.

Looking for a low-calorie version of a regular margarita?

Ditch the pre-made mix and use natural ingredients to create this easy skinny margarita recipe. It’s the perfect way to level up your basic cocktail recipes without complicating things.

Like our pineapple margarita or mezcal margarita, this recipe is a fun twist on the classic margarita. You still get that refreshing blend of tequila, lime, and a touch of sweetness, but with fewer calories and carbs. It’s perfect for those who want to enjoy a delicious cocktail without the guilt!

🎥 Watch: How to Make a Spicy Margarita Cocktail

What Are Skinny Margs?

A skinny margarita has the same flavor profile as a traditional margarita but contains less calories. The main difference is that we ditched the orange liqueur and used orange juice instead. Then, we use a natural sweetener like honey or agave syrup, giving you a similar margarita feel but less heavy.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

LIGHTER TWIST ON A CLASSIC – If you aren’t a fan of super sweet cocktails, then this skinny margarita is for you. It’s lightly sweet without being overpowering and contains less alcohol than its traditional counterparts.
NATURAL – No need to grab that skinny margarita mix from the store with perhaps some questionable ingredients. Instead, we use quality ingredients to craft the perfect skinny cocktails.

What You Need to Make the Best Skinny Margarita

Tequila – The classic spirit used in a margarita recipe. For a bolder tequila, go with Blanco tequila. If you prefer a spicier flavor profile, use reposado or añejo tequila.
Lime juice – Adds a zesty punch and provides that classic margarita feel. We recommend using fresh lime juice.
Orange juice – Adds orange flavor to the drink without the extra calories that Cointreau or triple sec adds. Use plain old bottled orange juice or fresh orange juice if you have it.
Jalapeño – We seed and slice up a jalapeño for a spicy kick.
Honey or agave syrup – Sweetens up the drink since we ditched the orange liqueur. You can also use simple syrup if you like.
Salt, lime zest & Tajin for glass rim

How to Make a Skinny Margarita

Sprinkle salt, lime zest, and Tajin spice on a plate and run a sliced wedge over the rim of the glass.
Dip the rim into the salt mixture and set aside.
Meanwhile, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake well for 30 seconds.
Fill a large glass with crushed ice and strain the cocktail into the glass.
Garnish the rim of your glass with jalapeños and limes.

Expert Skinny Margarita Tips

Chill your margarita glasses beforehand to keep the drinks cool.
Ditch the jalapeño and omit the tajin rim for a classic salt rim if you’re not a fan of spice.
Want a different citrus flavor? Use grapefruit juice instead of orange juice.

How to Serve a Skinny Margarita

A skinny margarita is best served on a hot summer day, relaxing summer nights, Cinco de Mayo, or happy hour in a fun margarita or coupe glass. We are also partial to a rocks glass from time to time.

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All you need are a few simple ingredients, and you can enjoy a delicious margarita without all the calories. Perfect for any occasion when you want a refreshing cocktail without feeling weighed down. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader!

Prep Time:5

Total Time:5

Equipment

cocktail shaker
fine mesh strainer
Stirring spoon
alcohol measuring cup
Margarita glass or rocks glass

Ingredients

2 oz tequila
4 oz lime juice
3 oz orange juice
½ jalapeno de-seeded and sliced
2 tbsp honey or agave syrup
Salt lime zest & Tajin, for glass rim

Instructions

Sprinkle salt, lime zest and Tajin spice in a plate and run a slice wedge over the rim of the glass. Dip the rim into the salt mixture and set aside.
Meanwhile, add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake well for 30 seconds.
Fill a large glass with crushed ice and strain the cocktail into the glass.
Garnish with jalapeños and limes.

Video

Servings: 1

Calories: 329kcal

Recipe FAQs

Yes. Place all your ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into chilled margarita glasses.

Yes. Increase the quantity by multiplying the ingredients by 10 or 12, depending on how many people you’re serving. We recommend making 1-2 servings extra just incase. Serve alongside rocks glasses or margarita glasses.

Some people worry that a skinny margarita won’t taste as good as the original. Although this recipe doesn’t contain a ton of sugar like a classic margarita recipe, it makes up for that with orange juice and natural sweeteners.

Spicy Skinny Margarita