Super Easy Key Lime Margaritas
If you, like me, love margaritas but hate squeezing limes and hate taking out your blender and want to serve a crowd, I know you’ll love these key lime margaritas. Not sweet like a pie, still tart and salty and yummy but with a Florida key flavor you’ll love. A super-simple summertime favorite that’s ready in ten minutes flat.
These are just the thing for a hot day when you want something fresh and fruity but that last thing you feel like doing is chopping up a bunch of fruit. This recipe mixes up in just a minute, especially if you have plain simple syrup handy. If you don’t, go ahead and make some. I’ll wait.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
This is one of those recipes where every ingredient is important. You can use plain lime juice but obviously they won’t be key lime anymore! And fresh key lime juice is absolutely delicious. But it’s not necessary.
- ½ cup bottled key lime juice (I love Nellie and Joe’s brand. You can find it with the bottled lemon juice or in the cocktail section with things like grenadine)
- 1 cup tequila we prefer white/ blanco
- ½ cup triple sec
- ¼ cup simple syrup adjust to taste (see notes to make your own)
- Ice
- Lime slices for garnish
- Salt for rimming the glasses
How to Make Key Lime Margaritas
Prepare Glasses. Rub a lime slice around the rim of each glass and dip the rim into salt. The moisture helps that salt stick just right! Don’t worry if the salt looks a little messy, it just makes them look homemade.
Fill the glasses with ice.
Mix Drink. In a large pitcher, combine the bottled key lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and simple syrup. Stir well to blend all those lovely flavors together.
I know it looks yellow. That’s how key lime juice is! And that’s why key lime pie should never be green. If it is, it’s not real!
Serve. Pour the mixture over the ice in your prepared glasses.
As the drink creator, you are now obliged to have one and lick your fingers from all the salt.
Garnish. Garnish each glass with a lime slice. It adds a touch of freshness and looks so pretty!
Storage and Serving Ideas
These are prefect for any summer get-together, but I like them best with Mexican food. Here’s my perfect Saturday night menu.
- Cast iron skillet queso with chips and pico de Gallo
- Shredded beef tacos (you make the meat in the slow cooker so your evening isn’t too much work)
- Spanish rice
Make This Recipe Your Own
- Mix in coconut cream for a tropical twist, like in my coconut pineapple margarita, or fresh muddled berries for a fruity variation.
- Add a thin slice of jalapeño for some nice heat that pairs well with lime.
- Try Tajin spice on the glass rims for a spicy-tart edge or sugar instead of salt for a sweeter approach.
Printable Recipe
Key Lime Margarita
Equipment
- Pitcher
Ingredients
- ½ cup bottled key lime juice
- 1 cup tequila we prefer white/ blanco
- ½ cup triple sec
- ¼ cup simple syrup adjust to taste (see notes to make your own)
- Ice
- Lime slices for garnish
- Salt for rimming the glasses
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Instructions
- Prepare Glasses. Rub a lime slice around the rim of each glass and dip the rim into salt. Fill the glasses with ice.
- Mix Drink. In a large pitcher, combine the bottled key lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and simple syrup. Stir well.
- Serve. Pour the mixture over the ice in the prepared glasses.
- Garnish. Garnish each glass with a lime slice.
Notes
Nutrition
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.