Margarita (168 Calories, 10 g Carbs)
A classic margarita made with measured ingredients comes to 168 calories and 10 g of carbs per drink. That is tequila, triple sec and fresh lime juice, with an optional teaspoon of agave and a salted rim. If you track your drinks, knowing the real number is far more useful than guessing, and this recipe shows exactly where every calorie comes from. This recipe is intended for adults of legal drinking age.
Where the calories in a margarita come from
Alcohol itself contains about 7 calories per gram, and that accounts for the largest share of the 168 calories here. The rest comes from the triple sec, a sweet orange liqueur, and the small amount of sugar in the lime juice and optional agave. The tequila contributes alcohol and virtually no carbohydrate.
This is why drink size and mixers matter so much. Pre-made margarita mix and bar versions are often a lot sweeter and larger, so they can contain far more calories than a measured home pour. When you measure in millilitres you control both the strength and the sugar.
Nutrition per drink
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 168 | 0 g | 10 g | 0 g |
Prep 5 min | Serves 1
Ingredients
- 50 ml tequila
- 25 ml triple sec (Cointreau)
- 25 ml fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp agave syrup (optional)
- Salt for the rim
- Ice cubes
How to make it
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass and dip it into salt.
- Fill a shaker with ice and add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice and syrup.
- Shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Tips for a better margarita
- Squeeze the lime fresh. Bottled juice tastes flat and often has added sugar. Fresh juice is the difference between a good margarita and a great one.
- Measure with a jigger. Free-pouring is how a 168 calorie drink turns into a 300 calorie one.
- Shake hard and cold. Fifteen seconds with plenty of ice chills and dilutes the drink just enough.
- Use fresh ice in the glass. The ice from the shaker has already melted a little and will water down the drink.
- Salt only half the rim so you can choose sip by sip.
Making it lighter or spicier
If you skip the agave, you remove a few calories and a little sugar, and the drink is crisper and more tart. A thin slice of jalapeno in the shaker adds heat without adding calories. If you want a bigger drink, remember that doubling the pour doubles the calories, so it is easiest to make a second one and count it as a second drink.
How to fit a cocktail into your day
If you are counting calories, the simplest approach is to decide in advance. Plan the drink as part of your day, then adjust the meals around it rather than trying to make up for it afterwards. A 168 calorie margarita is roughly the size of a small snack, so many people treat it as one. Drinking water alongside, and eating a proper meal first, also makes it easier to stop at one. Everyone is different, and if you have any health concerns around alcohol, speak with your doctor.
Margarita versus other cocktails
Among the classics in The Cocktail Book, the Margarita sits in the middle of the range. The Mojito is 150 calories, the Old Fashioned is 154, the Daiquiri is 170, the Whiskey Sour is 170, and the Moscow Mule is 182. Sweeter, creamier drinks such as the Pina Colada (245 calories) and the Mai Tai (260 calories) are higher. Knowing the numbers lets you pick the drink that suits your day.
Frequently asked questions
How many calories are in a margarita?
This recipe is 168 calories per drink, with 10 g of carbs and no fat or protein. Many bar and mix-based margaritas are higher, depending on size and sweetness. Values are calculated estimates.
Is a margarita low carb?
At 10 g of carbs it is moderate. Skipping the agave lowers it slightly, but the triple sec still contributes sugar.
What is a skinny margarita?
Typically a margarita made with less or no liqueur and sweetener, often relying on fresh lime and orange juice. Our recipe uses measured triple sec for classic flavour, with the agave optional.
Can I make a batch ahead?
Mix the tequila, triple sec and lime juice in a jug and chill, then pour over ice per drink. Multiply the measurements, and keep the ice and salt separate until serving.
Drink responsibly
For adults of legal drinking age only. Alcohol affects everyone differently, and calorie counts are only part of the picture. Please drink responsibly and never drink and drive. The Cocktail Book has 100 cocktails from 65 to 350 calories with calories and macros for every drink. See more in Desserts, Snacks & Drinks.
For adults of legal drinking age only. Please drink responsibly. Calorie and macro values are calculated estimates.