30 Best Margarita Recipes for Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo without a good ‘ol margarita is like the alphabet without the vowels – it’s a flop before you even get started. So here’s a list of the 30 best margarita recipes to keep you sipping well into the night.

From fruity margarita recipes to frozen, flavored, fun, and fancy margaritas, you’ll be spoiled for choice with this list, all summer year long.

A classic margarita is a much loved drink for a reason. It’s one of the most popular cocktails ever. The classic combination of tequila, orange liqueur such as triple sec, and lime is the epitome of a crisp, refreshing drink (enjoyed in the sun and by the beach, under blue skies with a gentle breeze in the air for best results).

And there’s possibly no other cocktail that you could riff on with such spectacular and flavorful results as a classic margarita.

In that spirit, these fruity and flavored margarita recipes are bound to put new pep in your step with inventive and delicious flavors and spins on this classic drink. This is the ultimate curated list of celebratory cinco de mayo margaritas for you to choose from.

Which one will you sip first?

Why you’ll love these easy margarita recipes

• These are all so easy to whip up and only take a few minutes. A margarita is a perfectly balanced drink with a flavor profile that includes all the main tasting notes. And it’s just as easy to add flavor. What’s not to love?
• These are all homemade margarita recipes made from scratch, not using a margarita mix. Store-bought margarita mixes almost always taste artificial or sickly-sweet or just downright awful. And it makes even less because classic margaritas and other flavor variations are just so simple to make with only a few ingredients.
• There are only so many fruit desserts that you can make with that bounty of fresh fruits in the summer. These refreshing, fruity margarita recipes are the obvious solution!

Classic margarita

By all accounts, the classic margarita is the most frequently ordered cocktail in the world.

The sweetness of triple sec, the acidity of fresh lime juice, paired with a good quality tequila. That is a classic margarita in its simplest and truest form.

1. Classic margarita recipe

Classic margarita

This classic homemade margarita is so easy to whip up, there’s absolutely no reason for any store-bought margarita mix ever. Simple ingredients, in perfect balance, for a much-loved great margarita. Served in glasses with a simple salt rim. But feel free to sweeten your base margarita with agave syrup or homemade simple syrup.

Classic margarita recipe

Flavored margaritas (fruity margarita recipes)

With the bounty of fresh fruits (and the warmth of the sun) in the summer comes the most opportune time to make all the best summer margaritas!

From watermelon to mango, rhubarb, strawberry, peach, kiwi fruit and many more, you will love these flavored margaritas made with fresh, juicy fruits.

2. Spicy margarita (with jalapeño)

Spicy margarita

The flavor of jalapeno and its mild spice are the perfect pairing with a margarita. Sweet, salty, sour flavors of a classic margarita are perfectly complemented by the earthy, vegetal, spicy flavor of jalapeno.

This is the best spicy margarita recipe made with a jalapeno simple syrup for a deliciously refreshing cocktail. And you can give any flavored or fruit margarita a spicy twist with this impeccable jalapeno simple syrup!

Spicy margarita recipe

3. Rhubarb margarita

Rhubarb margarita

The epitome of spring and summer is in this vibrant, flavorful, refreshing rhubarb margarita. Made with a concentrated rhubarb simple syrup that enhances the tart rhubarb flavor.

You can make this cocktail with red rhubarb or green rhubarb. And with the simple syrup in hand, you can make this beautiful margarita any time you like, even if you don't have access to fresh rhubarb.

Enjoy with some easy rhubarb crumble bars for a delicious springtime experience.

Rhubarb margarita recipe

4. Smoked margarita sour (with smoked tequila)

Smoked margarita sour

This smoked margarita sour is made with cherry wood smoked tequila for a simple yet spectacular twist on the classic. Along with a cocktail foam on top that is made with aquafaba (chickpea water), which makes this drink vegan as well.

The flavor profile of cherry wood pairs perfectly with tequila and with margaritas. It's a simple yet impressive way to elevate the flavor profile of your homemade margarita recipes.

Smoked margarita sour recipe

5. Mint kiwi margarita

Mint kiwi margarita

This mint kiwi margarita uses kiwi fruit juice as the base, and it's flavored with mint and lime salt. Make kiwi fruit juice at home by either blending peeled kiwi fruit (and then separating the pulp), or by using a juicer.

This is a gorgeous and refreshing fruity margarita recipe, perfect for summer BBQs and potlucks!

Mint kiwi margarita recipe

6. Blood orange margarita

Blood orange margarita

A strikingly delicious margarita to capitalize on the short blood orange season in the cold winter months. This blood orange margarita is made with freshly squeezed blood orange juice, blanco tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and grenadine.

And for a brunch cocktail variation, try this gin and blood orange mimosa, made with an easy vanilla blood orange syrup.

Blood orange margarita recipe

7. Pineapple margarita

Pineapple margarita

Sweet and a little tart, with a spicy kick, this pineapple margarita carries some delicious heat. Fresh jalapenos are used here to make the base tequila, simple syrup, and also as a garnish.

Rim the glasses with a little salt and Tajín for a summer-worthy cocktail that looks as good as it tastes!

Pineapple margarita recipe

8. Exotic tropical margarita

Tropical margarita

Delicious tropical fruits such as dragon fruit, guava, passion fruit etc. pair perfectly with good quality tequila, triple sec, and orange blossom water in this vibrant tropical fruit margarita recipe.

Exotic tropical margarita recipe

9. Strawberry margarita

Fresh strawberry margarita

Sweet-smelling, intensely red strawberries are a summer favorite around these parts. And there are only so many strawberry tarts, strawberry galettes, strawberry smoothies, and strawberry ice cream you can make.

And a summer-worthy collection of fruity margaritas isn't complete without an easy fresh strawberry margarita. This naturally sweetened (maple syrup), colorful strawberry margarita is ready in 5 minutes with just 4 ingredients.

Fresh strawberry margarita recipe

10. Watermelon margarita

Watermelon margarita

The perfect summertime adult beverage. This watermelon margarita recipe is made with just 5 ingredients (including fresh watermelon), and no added sweetener.

Watermelon margarita recipe

11. Hibiscus margarita

Hibiscus margarita

Sweet and tangy notes of hibiscus syrup come together with Cointreau, lemon, lime, and tequila in this vibrantly pink hibiscus margarita recipe.

Hibiscus margarita recipe

12. Blackberry margarita

Blackberry margarita

Another flavorful twist on the classic, this beautiful blackberry margarita combines the sweet tang of fresh blackberries with the traditional taste of tequila and orange liqueur.

And lightly sweetened with agave nectar to enhance the natural berry flavor.

Blackberry margarita recipe

13. Cucumber margarita

Cucumber margarita

This light and refreshing cucumber margarita is just what you need on a hot, muggy summer day. Made with fresh cucumber juice, lime juice, tequila, and triple sec, this is a delightfully easy summer cocktail.

Cucumber margarita recipe

14. Peach margarita

Peach margarita

Few better ways to cool down on a sticky July evening than while sipping a delicious fresh peach margarita.

If you've made enough peach galette and peach cobbler with all those lovely seasonal summer peaches, try this amazing peach margarita, made with sweetened peach puree, tequila, fresh lime juice, and Grand Marnier (or your favorite orange liqueur).

Fresh peach margarita recipe

15. Creamy coconut margarita

Creamy coconut margarita

A uniquely creamy, cool, and refreshing coconut margarita where cream of coconut is paired with the zing of lime and boozy kick of tequila.

Serve with the glass rim dipped in more cream of coconut, followed by sweetened shredded coconut for extra emphasis.

Creamy coconut margarita recipe

16. Passion fruit margarita

Passion fruit margarita

Passion fruit and lime pair up with tequila and Cointreau in this gorgeous summer margarita recipe. With a little added honey for sweetness.

Passion fruit margarita recipe

17. Lemon margarita

Lemon margarita

Margarita can be made with no limes at all, and this lemon margarita is an equally delicious and refreshing alternative. This lemony twist on the classic is made with fresh lemon juice and sweetened with lemon simple syrup. And no limes, of course.

Lemon margarita recipe

18. Tamarind margarita

Tamarind margarita

Another uniquely flavorful and fancy margarita recipe that combines sour tamarind with añejo tequila, lime, and triple sec, and served in glasses rimmed with a smoked salt mix.

Quadruple this recipe for pitcher margaritas. You won't regret it!

Tamarind margarita recipe

19. Guava margarita

Guava margarita

This guavarita has cinco de mayo margarita written all over it. This tropical cocktail is made with guava nectar, so you can make it any time of the year, even when guavas aren't in season.

Guava margarita recipe

20. Pomegranate margarita

Pomegranate margarita

This vibrant red cocktail made with pomegranate juice is the perfect holiday margarita recipe. Serve in gold sugar and salt rimmed glasses for that extra holiday sparkle!

Pomegranate margarita recipe

21. Prickly pear margarita

Prickly pear margarita

Tequila blanco, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave nectar, together with fresh prickly pear syrup make this vibrant, refreshing margarita!

Prickly pear margarita recipe

22. Pink grapefruit margarita

Pink grapefruit margarita

Sweet pink grapefruit is paired with sriracha salt for a lovely sweet and spicy combo in this beautiful pink grapefruit marg.

Pink grapefruit margarita recipe

Frozen margaritas (blended margarita recipes)

While we are not going to settle the frozen vs on the rocks margarita debate here, it’s safe to say that sipping a frozen marg is an entirely different experience from drinking one that’s poured over ice.

Frozen or blended margaritas are obviously ice cold throughout with tiny ice beads transforming the texture of the cocktail. While this also dilutes your margarita faster, on a particularly stifling summer day, there’s nothing that hits the spot quite like a frozen fruity margarita.

23. Frozen margarita

Frozen margarita

Classic margarita with a frosty twist. Tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup, blended with ice cubes until a slushy consistency. Warm, sultry summers are no match for this cold, crisp treat.

This is an easily customizable recipe. Add fruits such as mango, strawberry, pineapple etc. for a frozen, fruity margarita recipe like the ones below.

Frozen margarita recipe

24. Frozen mango margarita

Frozen mango margarita

The ultimate summer margarita recipe comes in this frozen form. And unlike other frozen margarita recipes, there is no ice in this frozen mango margarita. Simply frozen mango, tequila, lime juice, and agave syrup.

This is one creamy, refreshing, fruity margarita, almost like an easy fruit sorbet, but much more fun! Served with a spicy lime chili salt ring to kick it up another notch.

Frozen mango margarita recipe

25. Margarita ice cream

Margarita ice cream

This non-cocktail entry in the list is unabashedly creamy, refreshing, and tangy. A summer classic gets an upgrade in the form of a margarita ice cream (salted lime sherbet) here.

You can also make this recipe without the alcohol for a kid-friendly summer treat. And use it to make a delicious, fruity ice cream float (like this strawberry margarita ice cream float) too.

Margarita ice cream recipe

26. Frozen strawberry margarita

Frozen strawberry margarita

This easy frozen strawberry margarita is another quintessential summer cocktail. Just 5 minutes and 5 simple ingredients for a fun, fruity cocktail made with frozen strawberries, Reposado tequila, Cointreau, fresh-squeezed lime juice, and sweetened with agave or simple syrup.

Frozen strawberry margarita recipe

27. Frozen watermelon margarita

Frozen watermelon margarita

Equal parts sweet and tangy, and loaded with fresh watermelon flavor, this frozen watermelon margarita is a crowd-favorite summer hit, perfect for BBQs and potlucks.

Use seedless watermelon and a high-powered blender to make this refreshing blended margarita recipe.

Frozen watermelon margarita recipe

28. Frozen pineapple margarita

Frozen pineapple margarita

A boozy, fruity, refreshing slushy, this frozen pineapple margarita is naturally sweetened, with no added sweetener.

A light, frosty margarita, perfect for those who don't prefer heavily sweetened margaritas.

And try this frozen pineapple margarita shandy for a delicious flavor variation.

Frozen pineapple margarita recipe

29. Frozen honeydew margarita

Frozen honeydew margarita

Honeydew, lime juice, white tequila, agave nectar, and ice are all you need for this sweet, but not overly sweet, hot weather-approved frozen margarita. Good tequila and fresh ingredients will always lead to a great margarita!

Feel free to double or triple the recipe for a pitcher of margaritas.

Frozen honeydew margarita recipe

30. Mixed berry frozen margarita

Mixed berry frozen margarita

Frozen mixed berries, silver tequila, grand marnier, fresh lime juice and orange juice, and sweetened with agave nectar, this smooth, fruity, frozen margarita is loaded with good stuff.

Pair this with the best mixed berry pie for a delicious summer extravaganza!

Mixed berry frozen margarita recipe