This Low Carb Margarita Recipe is a zesty and refreshing recipe, which is made with silver tequila and fresh lime juice. It’s the perfect sugar-free happy hour drink, ready in about 5 minutes.
Low Carb Margarita Recipe Ingredients
- 2 ounces (60ml) Tequila Blanco (Silver)
- 1 ounce (30ml) fresh lime juice (about 1 medium lime)
- 1/4 teaspoon orange extract (essential for replacing Triple Sec)
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid stevia or monk fruit drops (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- 1 lime wedge (for rimming)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt (for the rim)
- Sparkling water or club soda (optional, for a lighter drink)
How To Make Low Carb Margarita Recipe
- Rim the glass: Pour the coarse salt onto a small shallow plate. Run a wedge of lime around the rim of your serving glass to moisten it. Dip the glass rim into the salt, twisting gently to coat it thoroughly. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
- Combine ingredients: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour in the tequila, fresh lime juice, orange extract, and liquid sweetener.
- Shake: Cover the shaker and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. This chills the drink rapidly and dilutes it just enough to mellow the alcohol burn.
- Taste test: Dip a straw or spoon into the shaker to taste. Since limes vary in acidity, you may need a few more drops of sweetener to balance the tartness.
- Strain and serve: Strain the mixture into the salt-rimmed glass over the fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
- Optional Sparkle: If you prefer a larger drink without more alcohol or carbs, top it off with a splash of unflavored sparkling water or club soda (this makes it a “Skinny” Margarita).
Recipe Tips
- The Triple Sec Substitute: Traditional margaritas use Triple Sec or Cointreau, which are orange liqueurs loaded with sugar. To keep this keto, we use orange extract. It provides that essential citrus nose without the carbs. A little goes a long way—start with 1/4 teaspoon.
- Fresh Juice is King: Do not use bottled lime juice (the plastic lime). It has preservatives that taste chemical and often has added sugar. Freshly squeezed lime juice provides the bright acidity needed to mask the lack of sugar syrup.
- Sweetener Choice: Liquid sweeteners (like Stevia glycerite or liquid Allulose) dissolve instantly in cold beverages. Granular sweeteners may leave a gritty texture at the bottom of the glass unless dissolved in a little warm water first to make a syrup.
- Tequila Quality: Since there is no sugar to hide behind, the quality of the tequila matters. Use a 100% Agave Tequila Blanco (Silver) for the cleanest, crispest flavor. Gold tequilas often have caramel coloring or additives.
- Spicy Option: Muddle a slice of jalapeño in the shaker before adding the ice for a spicy kick that boosts metabolism.
What To Serve With Low Carb Margarita Recipe
Pair this cocktail with salty, high-fat keto snacks.
- Low Carb Tortilla Chips: With guacamole or salsa.
- Cheese Crisps: Baked cheddar rounds.
- Keto Tacos: Using cheese shells or lettuce wraps.
- Pork Rinds: For a crunchy, zero-carb snack.
How To Store Low Carb Margarita Recipe
- Batching: You can mix a pitcher of the tequila, lime juice, extract, and sweetener in advance. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not add ice until serving to prevent dilution.
- Freezing: You can freeze the mixture (without ice) to make a slushy base, but due to the alcohol, it won’t freeze solid. Blend with ice when ready to serve.
Low Carb Margarita Recipe Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 145
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 10mg (excluding salt rim)
- Total Carbohydrates: 2.5g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.2g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Protein: 0g
- Net Carbs: 2.3g
Nutrition information is estimated per cocktail.
FAQs
Is tequila keto?
Yes. Pure agave tequila has zero carbohydrates. The carbs in this recipe come entirely from the fresh lime juice.
Can I use lemon juice?
Yes. While lime is traditional, lemon juice works well and actually has slightly fewer carbs than lime juice if you are counting strictly.
What if I don’t have orange extract?
You can use a few dashes of orange bitters (check the label for sugar) or simply zest a little orange peel into the shaker for the essential oils, then strain it out.
Low Carb Margarita Recipe
Description
A guilt-free, sugar-free keto margarita that tastes authentic thanks to a clever orange extract hack and fresh lime juice.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rim glass with salt; fill with ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice, extract, and sweetener to shaker.
- Add ice and shake vigorously (15 seconds).
- Strain into glass.
- Garnish with lime.
Notes
- Use liquid sweetener for instant dissolving; granular won’t mix well in cold alcohol.
- Orange extract replaces high-sugar liqueurs like Triple Sec.
- Adjust sweetness to taste; lime acidity varies.
Low Carb Margarita Recipe
