Lemon Margarita

Lemon Margarita Recipe

I love a good margarita; it’s my perfect way to wind down after a long day. I have experimented with many variations, and this delicious cocktail is one of my favorites.

I’m lucky to have two lemon trees – Eureka and Meyer. Eureka lemons are the classic, bright yellow, tangy lemons you find at the store, while Meyer lemons, a hybrid of mandarin orange and lemon, are sweeter and less acidic. I love using Meyer lemons for lemon margaritas, they add a subtle, sweet twist!

When my lemons are abundant, I also like to make lemon drop shots, bee’s knees, lemon mules or a smoky mule!

While we’re on the topic of delicious drinks, check out my favorite brunch cocktail recipes, the best mixed drinks, tequila cocktails, and cheap drinks to make at home!

Why You’ll Love This Drink

• Modern margarita spin: It’s a unique take on the classic cocktail, making it perfect for those who want to mix things up and try something new.

• Perfect balance of flavors: This easy lemon margarita will become your new favorite cocktail with its sweet and tangy flavors.

• Simple and versatile: This simple margarita recipe requires just a few ingredients and minimal prep time. It is perfect for any occasion – from impromptu gatherings to lazy afternoons by the pool.

Lemon Margarita Ingredients

Tequila: Use a good tequila, preferably reposado or blanco tequila. The better the tequila, the better your margarita will taste!

Orange Liqueur: This type of orange-flavored liqueur adds sweetness and depth to the drink. I prefer to use Cointreau or grand Marnier, but you can use any brand of triple sec. You could even use a splash of orange juice if you prefer!

Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for this recipe. It’s what replaces the lime juice you find in a classic margarita recipe and gives it its refreshing citrus flavor. I use Meyer lemon juice for my cocktail for the perfect margarita.

Simple Syrup: This is a mixture of sugar and water, which adds sweetness to balance out the tartness of the lemon juice. You can use agave syrup or make honey syrup instead of simple syrup.

Salt: For garnishing the rim of the glass. Optional but adds a nice touch! Lots of people prefer a sugar rim as well, which makes these more like lemon drop margaritas!

How to Make a Lemon Margarita

Prepare Glasses: Rub lemon around glass rims and dip in salt for an optional salt rim garnish.

Mix Base Spirits: Combine tequila, triple sec, and fresh lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.

Add Sweetener: Pour in simple syrup to balance the citrus flavors.

Shake Cocktail: Add ice cubes and shake until well chilled.

Pour Drink: Strain into prepared glasses over fresh ice.

Garnish: Top with lemon zest and garnish with lemon wedge or fresh rosemary

Eden’s Recipe Tips 

Get maximum juice: Roll your lemons on the counter before cutting them. This breaks down the fruit insides so you’ll get way more juice out of each lemon.

Perfect balance: A good 20-second shake isn’t just for show – it helps melt the right amount of ice into your drink, making all the flavors come together just right.

Make it your own: Everyone likes their margaritas a little different. Start with less simple syrup and taste as you go. You can always make it sweeter, but you can’t make it less sweet once it’s in there!

How to Make a Salt Rim

A salted rim is iconic to a classic margarita, and it’s not particularly difficult to salt the rim of your cocktail glass. Spread out salt evenly on a dinner plate. Use a lemon, lime, or even water to coat the edge of your cocktail glass.

Then, rotate the outside of your glass against the plate. Be careful not to get any salt on the inside of your glass, which can change the taste of your drink. You can also do this with sugar to make a sugar rim.

Make Ahead of Time

Preparing these lemon margaritas in advance is a breeze! Juice the lemons and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to mix. The simple syrup can also be made ahead of time.

Once both components are on hand, all that’s left is adding alcohol and giving it a good shake. So next time you have guests over, you can relax and enjoy their company instead of worrying about making individual cocktails. 

Charming Margarita Garnishes

Looking to elevate your lemon margarita? Here are a few delicious garnish options to try:

• Lemon slices
• Lemon wheel
• Lemon peels 
• Meyer lemon zest 
• Sugar-rimmed glasses for an extra touch of sweetness.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, celebrating Cinco de Mayo, or having a cozy night in with friends, here are some dishes to serve them with: 

• Queso blanco nachos
• Quesadillas
• A giant taco salad
• Mexican fruit platter
• They’ll also go well with any of these Mexican desserts!

Using Lime Instead of Lemon

If you prefer lime over lemon in your margarita, that’s an option. You can also make other substitutions, depending on your particular tastes. Look at other margarita recipes to decide what’s right for you.

What Is a Margarita?

A margarita is a margarita because it uses tequila as its base liquor. Margaritas get their name from the Spanish woman’s name, Margarita.

There are many different stories about where margaritas may have been invented. Still, one of the most popular stories is that the drink originated in Tijuana in the 1930s.

Tequila should almost always be the primary alcohol in a margarita. On occasion, however, it is switched out with mezcal.

A margarita could also contain Triple Sec, Cointreau, different orange or fruity liqueurs, and other forms of alcohol. 

Why Use Triple Sec

You put Triple Sec in margaritas because it adds more sweetness and helps bring out some of the complexity in the tequila and other ingredients.

If you don’t have or don’t like Triple Sec, it can be replaced with simple syrup or other options like Cointreau or Gran Marnier.