This low carb margarita recipe is an almost-zero-carb version of the traditional drink! A sugar free and keto friendly recipe.
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A margarita is one of my favorite drinks. But restaurant-made or commercially bought versions are usually LOADED with sugar. The traditional ingredients are tequila, lime juice and Cointreau (a brand of triple sec) or Grand Marnier. The tequila is zero carb, and the lime juice is low carb - but those sweet orange spirits are where the problem lies. Even worse if the cocktail is made from a high sugar "margarita syrup"!
A neighbor of mine recently had the idea of using orange extract instead of the triple sec, and then I added some liquid sweetener - I highly recommend making your own low carb simple syrup, but you could also use Da Vinci sugar free sweetening syrup.
Both syrups are zero carb and act as part sweetener, part mixer! The result was really convincing - perfect for a keto margarita! Oh - and if you like this recipe, check out my SPARKLING margarita cocktail!!!
Find the instructions below, or check out my recipe video (which includes how to make the simple syrup!!)
How to Make a Low Carb Margarita Recipe
Cut a lime wedge and run it round the edge of a margarita glass or martini glass.
Sprinkle some salt onto a plate, invert the glass and dip it into the salt, coating the rim in salt.
Add crushed ice, tequila, lime juice, orange extract, sweetening syrup and the juice from the lime wedge to a cocktail shaker. Shake well, and strain into the prepared glass. Add more crushed ice if desired - this cocktail is pretty strong! 🙂
This keto margarita is SO refreshing!!!
And if you're wondering how many carbs in margarita - regular ones - then I've seen anything from 34g to 120g - although the latter is for a huge 32oz frozen cocktail. Definitely worth making your own!
Want more cocktail ideas? Check out all my other low carb drinks!
📖 Recipe
Low Carb Margarita
Ingredients
Equipment
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Run the lime wedge around the edge of a glass. Dip the rim of the glass into a plate of salt.
- Add the remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake well.
- Strain into the prepared glass and serve with extra ice if desired.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is my best approximation. Net carbs are calculated as the total grams carbs minus the total grams of fiber.
Georgina says
You only need enough lime to stick the salt to the rim of the glass - a small wedge would be sufficient!
Deb says
Georgina, I believe Marilyn's question, and mine as well, is about the amount of lime juice in the drink itself, not the lime for wetting the rim of the glass. The only liquids in your recipe are tequila, sugar free syrup and a small amount of orange extract. I'm assuming that you overlooked the lime juice that must be added to the cocktail to make it a margarita. Otherwise it's just sweetened tequila.
Georgina says
Sorry - a line was missing from the recipe card which I have now added. It should be one teaspoon of lime juice. Thanks for letting me know!
sarah says
only 2 tsp of lime juice?
Georgina says
It's only a single serving. There's 0.3g net carbs per teaspoon of lime, and I really wanted to keep the carb count as low as possible for this recipe! Feel free to add more if you prefer!
Theresa says
The nutrition label on my bottled lime juice included no carbs. I added some True Lime powdered lime, also no carbs, and it is sooo good!! Of course I had to triple the recipe for a “ real” drink. ????. Gonna save this one!! Thanks for the recipe.
Georgina says
You're welcome! Cheers!
Lonna says
what flavor liquid sweetener did you use?
Georgina says
I use the one with no flavor - it's just called Da Vinci sweetening syrup. It is seriously useful for everything from cocktails to sauces!
Gina Gutierrez says
I was wondering the same?
Marianne S says
I love a low-carb margarita although I prefer a store-bought mix because I am lazy. Next time I am out, I will try this.
Suggestion: I recently started added adding an orange (tangerine, actually) vodka to mine to add some of the desired orange flavor. I also sometimes add tangerine la criox (or similar) to them if they are too sweet.
Georgina says
What store bought mix do you use?
Debra says
This is the best low carb margarita recipe I have tried. The secret is the simple syrup although I do use more lime juice. Same amount of tequila and simple syrup is the key to this drink.
Georgina says
Thanks for your feedback! I completely understand about the extra lime - it's all about personal taste and the carb count!