It’s not quite summer yet, but it’s close enough to get excited about warm weather and sipping in the sun. And with Cinco de Mayo just around the corner I just knew that I had to share this gem of a cocktail recipe. I’ve been making these real food margaritas (as I call them) for several years now. For as long as I’ve known my husband (25 years and counting), he’s loved a good traditional margarita but couldn’t drink one without severe heartburn due to the sugary premixed mixers that are normally used. So, I set out to fix this dilemma in my own way by creating a marg recipe that doesn’t rely on a pre-made or super sugary mixer. The result? One of the loveliest and most refreshing (and for him, heartburn-free) of margaritas – made with a less sugar yet still sweet and satisfying.
Recipe Highlights
Why I love this recipe: I can enjoy a margarita without having to worry about all the refined sugar. I now make mine zero-proof by using a non-alcoholic tequila alternative and they’re every bit as delicious the original.
No bottled mixer is required: The freshly squeezed citrus juice, combined with a touch of honey and naturally sweet coconut water makes it just sweet enough without being overly sweet.
Mix it up: It’s easy to change up the flavor of this margarita cocktail. I like to typically just use the fresh orange and lime juice; however, I’ve also added in grapefruit before and it’s also delicious. (I will say adding the grapefruit in makes these margs more like Palomas, but that isn’t a bad thing!)
When to serve: This classic cocktail recipe is perfect for hot summer days or to go on my Cinco de Mayo menu.
How To Make My “Real Food Margs” (Video)
For serving size and the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition analysis, listing calories (kcals), protein, carbohydrates/carb, fiber, sugar, sodium, cholesterol, and more per serving.
Salt The Rim
Up until a few years ago, I always sipped my margs without a salted rim. I’m honestly not sure why, but when a friend called me on it, I couldn’t offer any reasonable explanation. So, I grabbed a wedge of lime, rubbed it along the rim of the glass, tipped the glass over onto a plate of coarse salt, and I must say it was a total game changer. The salt was the perfect compliment to the sweet-tartness of the margarita and I was instantaneously converted to being a salty rim lover. So unless there’s a medical reason why my friends or family need to limit sodium when it comes to diet, I fully advocate for salting the rim now – tequila-loving tastebuds will approve.
Make It Vegan-Friendly
To make these margaritas vegan-friendly, I substitute agave syrup or agave nectar for the honey called for in my recipe. It’s a super easy swap, and I’ll still end up with sweet and citrusy margs!
Make It Non-Alcoholic
To make these classic margaritas non-alcoholic, I replace the tequila with a zero-proof tequila alternative. I get the same flavor and satisfaction without the effects of alcohol.
One Of Our 5-Star Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Light and refreshing. A definite delight in contrast to syrupy mixes. We are taste testing for a beverage to serve at our annual summer family beach trip. This one is in first place. Thank you RFDs!”
– Mich
What To Serve With Margaritas
These classic margaritas pair perfectly with my crockpot chicken tacos, vegan roasted cauliflower sweet potato tacos, slow cooker beef barbacoa tacos, one-dish chicken fajita bake, or one-pan shrimp fajita bowl. I also love enjoying these with a big bowl of blue corn tortilla chips and my homemade guacamole or avocado salsa – with good friends and ample sunshine, of course!
Make A Pitcher Of Margaritas
What’s better than a refreshing, perfect margarita on a warm, sunny day? A pitcher of my real food margs with friends! I can easily double or triple the amount of “mixer” for this recipe (fresh lime juice, orange juice, honey, and coconut water), then add the tequila and sparkling water when it’s time to serve.
Make The Mixer In Advance Or Into Ice Cubes
The mixer can be made up to 4 days in advance and kept in the fridge until I’m ready to kick back and enjoy a margarita. I’ve even been known to freeze the mixer in ice cube trays if I want to be on top of my hosting game.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Margarita Recipe
Enjoy fresh, naturally sweet margaritas made with citrus juice, coconut water, and tequila. No refined sugar or pre-made margarita mixes here! The margs are light, refreshing, and perfect for summertime sipping.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. limes (4-5 limes), juiced (about ⅔ cup or 5 ounces lime juice)
- 1 medium orange, juiced (about ⅓ cup or 2 ½ ounces orange juice)
- 2 teaspoons pure honey or agave syrup, optional
- 8 ounces (1 cup) good-quality tequila (see notes for non-alcoholic option)
- 16 ounces unsweetened coconut water
- Ice
- Sparkling water
- Optional: Coarse salt for rim, lime wedges or slices for serving
Instructions
- Juice the limes and orange into a pitcher or quart-size mason jar.
- Stir the honey or agave (if using) into the citrus juice mixture until dissolved.
- Add the tequila and coconut water; stir well.
- If desired, salt the rims of the glasses (see notes below).
- Fill 4 glasses or pint-sized jars with ice. Divide the margarita mixture evenly between glasses.
- Top off each glass with sparkling water. Garnish with optional lime wedges and serve.
To salt the rims of the glasses:
- Place about ¼ cup coarse salt in a small dish.
- Rub a slice of lime along the rim of each glass, then invert the glass into the dish of salt. Gently twist the glass back and forth a few times to coat the rim of each glass with salt.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive so we can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Notes
For a non-alcoholic version, replace the tequila with a zero-proof tequila alternative.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: ¼ of the recipe or ~ 8 oz made with tequila and without honey
- Calories: 168
- Fat: 0 g
- (Sat Fat: 0 g)
- Sodium: 31 mg
- Carbohydrate: 10 g
- (Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 7 g)
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Dietary
Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.
For ultimate success, we highly recommend reading the tips in the full blog post above. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish a recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words. Link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!
Light and refreshing. A definite delight in contrast to syrupy mixes. We are taste testing for a beverage to serve at our annual summer family beach trip. This one is in first place. Thank you RFDs!
Oh we love to hear that, Mich! Let us know how these go over on your summer family beach trip!
How can you make this into a mock tail?
Hello Joy, you simply leave out the tequila to make this mock tail friendly! Enjoy!
Can this recipe be lightened up-reduce calories?
Hi Diane, this recipe is about 1/3 of the calories you’d get from a regular margarita, so it is already a lot lower. You could reduce calories further by cutting back on the tequila more or reducing the serving size.
Best margaritas we ever made!
Refreshing and light, with real ingredients!
A real winner, thank you!
Thanks so much, Kate! We are so happy to hear it.