How To Adjust Your Margarita Recipe From On The Rocks To Frozen

Sweet, salty, and sour, a well-made margarita is hard to resist. Regardless of how exactly the cocktail came to be, it has become an iconic pairing alongside tacos and the sun-kissed days of summer — although we enjoy a marg any time of the year! Often crafted on the rocks, a frozen margarita is equally as delicious for sipping; however, recipes do require some adjusting. 

Traditional margaritas, according to Difford's Guide, consist of 2 parts of tequila, 1 part of orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau), and 1 part of lime juice. All the ingredients are shaken with ice, strained, and served in a salt-rimmed glass. While nothing beats a classic, some recipes may add a splash of sweetener, trade lime juice for another citrus, or swap tequila with mezcal. But, one of the most common marg modifications lies within how the drink is served.

A hugely debated topic among margarita fans is whether or not the tangy tipple is best served on the rocks or frozen. Though the answer depends mainly on preference, some valid points are made for both styles. While Statesman shares that the larger ice cubes in a margarita served on the rocks melt more slowly and create less dilution, Margaritaville confirms that a frozen cocktail is colder and adds a pleasant texture. If you're sold on the idea of an adult slushy, here's how to tweak a rocks recipe.

While not the first person to craft a blended cocktail, Liquor.com notes that Mariano Martinez is often credited with popularizing the frozen margarita, finding inspiration for the slushy from a 7-Eleven Slurpee machine. Luckily for us, a blender works just as effectively when following the proper ratios.

Given that dilution is a very real threat to frozen margaritas, Punch suggests using a high-proof spirit and adding sweetener. With the addition of sweetener, a frozen margarita leans more towards a Tommy's Margarita, which VinePair states actually makes for a better-blended texture. 

Balancing flavors with a dose of sugar, The Washington Post shares that the magic ratio for two frozen margaritas is 10:5:2:2 — 10 ounces of ice, 5 ounces of spirit (tequila), 2 ounces of lime juice, and 2 ounces of sweetener (simple syrup, agave nectar, or a mix of sweetener and orange liqueur). 

Naturally, this frozen margarita ratio can also be adjusted to suit your palate. However, one thing to remember is that adding liquids to a blender before tossing in ice is wise, as this results in the optimal slushy texture, notes Punch. Other than that, crafting a frozen margarita is pretty simple.