This low carb margarita 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! Oh – and if you like this recipe, check out my SPARKLING margarita cocktail!!!
Find the instructions below, or check out my recipe video!
How to Make a Low Carb Margarita
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 drink 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!

Low Carb Margarita
This low carb margarita is an almost-zero-carb version of the traditional drink! A sugar free recipe.
Ingredients
- lime wedge
- salt
- 2 tbs tequila
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 2 tbs low carb simple syrup, or Da Vinci sugar free syrup
- ¼ tsp orange extract
- ice
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.
Notes
0.8g net carbs per serving (yes really!)
Nutrition Information
Yield 1 Serving Size Whole recipeAmount Per ServingCalories 71 Total Fat 0g Saturated Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 0mg Carbohydrates 0.8g Net Carbohydrates 0.8g Fiber 0g
Check out my Low Carb Cocktails Recipes Ebook!
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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?