Most alcoholic drinks tend to be a diet killer. Between the alcohol and sugar, they disrupt all your good intentions! But I really love a margarita, especially during summer. So I set out to make a skinny version: a Keto Margarita.
Ingredients needed to make a “skinny” margarita
A margarita has a pretty simple ingredient list, so let’s look at what gets changed to make it sugar free and therefore keto friendly:
- Tequila – no substitute needed, I use silver tequila
- Lime juice – also needs no substitute, use fresh squeezed for best flavor
- Sugar/simple syrup – use a confectioners (powdered) sweetener substitute (I use Swerve/erythritol)
- Orange liqueur – substitute orange-flavored sparkling water
- Salt and lime wedge for garnish – no reason to change this 😀
How to make a keto margarita
There is only one tricky step to making this margarita. What I have found is that sugar substitutes do not dissolve nearly as well as sugar. It’s even worse in cold liquid, so throwing everything in a shaker with ice basically exacerbates the problem.
My solution is to use a powdered sugar substitute, as it dissolves better, and to give the liquids a quick stir before shaking with ice. In this way I’m giving the erythritol a chance to dissolve into the liquid before it is cold.
This means adding tequila, lime juice and confectioner’s erythritol to the cocktail shaker and giving that a quick stir. If you got a cool mixing spoon with your cocktail shaker, now’s when you get a chance to use it. 😀
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Then, add ice to the cocktail shaker, cover and shake well to mix.
Prepare your glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim and dipping it in salt. Place the lime wedge on the rim of the glass. Add ice to the glass to serve this margarita “on the rocks”.
Strain the drink mixture into the prepared glass. Top with the sparkling water.
Recipe FAQ
You can use any type of glass you prefer. An old-fashioned glass, a stemless wine glass or even a Mason jar works just fine.
I’ve tried this. Remember that the ice does take up some room in the glass and the proportions are made for this. So if you mix this as written and pour it straight into a glass, you will probably need more sparkling water to top off the drink. This does change the flavor slightly but it’s still very good.
You can certainly skip the salt if you prefer. But in my opinion, a salted rim is one of the details that makes a margarita distinct. Most mixed drinks have both sweet and sour flavors. By adding salt, a margarita has a third dimension, which gives it a more complete flavor.
Try it once and you'll go back for more of this guilt free keto margarita!
📖 Recipe
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Keto Margarita
Ingredients
- juice of one lime about 1 ounce
- 2 ounces tequila silver
- 1 Tablespoon powdered sweetener I use Swerve
- 2 ounces orange-flavored sparkling water
- Ice – for mixing and serving
- Salt
- Lime wedge
Instructions
- Place lime juice, tequila and sweetener on cocktail shaker. Stir to help dissolve the sweetener. Add ice, cover and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds.juice of one lime, 2 ounces tequila, 1 Tablespoon powdered sweetener, Ice – for mixing and serving
- Run the lime wedge around the rim of the glass to wet, then dip the rim in salt to coat. Place lime wedge on the rim of the glass. Add ice to the glass.Salt, Lime wedge, Ice – for mixing and serving
- Strain the liquid from the shaker into the prepared glass. Top with orange flavored sparkling water to fill. Give a quick stir and serve.2 ounces orange-flavored sparkling water
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Other margarita variations
If you are in the mood for a margarita, it's good to have several options available. Try making a batch of margarita slush or maybe even a pink senorita. Either one will be popular all summer long!
Blake Moon
This looks wonderful!
Sula
Thanks!
Big Trouble
The orange-flavored sparkling water is a nice twist and tells me that this drink is good for hydration! Thanks, Sula!
Sula
You're welcome! And cheers!
Lilly
This drink is so delish!
Sula
I so agree!
Jessica Formicola
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo! I will be sipping on this keto margarita all summer long!
Sula
Same here! Cheers!
Emily Flint
Finally, a version of a margarita I can have more than one of and not feel guilty! This recipe is quickly becoming one of my favorites and is going to be a favorite of my girlfriends when they come over next week.
Sula
Oh yes the girls will thank you!
Audrey
This was so yummy!! I always love a good skinny rita.
Sula
Me too Audrey!
Fab
A perfect summer drink!
Sula
I agree!