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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Published: Nov 17, 2021 · Modified: Jun 20, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Vodka Margarita

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    vodka cocktail for pinterest
    frozen margarita in a glass
    margaritas on a tray
    overhead shot of margaritas on counter
    2 glasses of vodka margaritas
    vodka margarita pin

    Margaritas with vodka are a fun twist on the classic cocktail. Made without tequila, our vodka margarita recipe is refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for your next party. Enjoy vodka margaritas on Cinco de Mayo, sip poolside this summer, or enjoy with fresh Winter citrus. This is a year-round easy cocktail recipe.

    vodka margarita in a glass with a lime wedge

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    I love tequila, but like many people, I may or may not have had a rough night with it when I was in college. I still make tequila drinks fairly often, but I also like to swap out the tequila for vodka for a less intense margarita cocktail.

    Just like we did with our Mezcal Paloma, swapping out tequila makes for a whole new experience.

    Why this Recipe Works

    There are so many beautiful specialty margaritas, like our blood orange margarita recipe. They are gorgeous and fun to make. But they can be a bit more work.

    Vodka margaritas are easy to make, they only take 5 minutes! Even if you make a full pitcher recipe. This margarita has simple ingredients and no refined sugar (unless you want a sweeter cocktail).

    And this recipe can even be served frozen or on the rocks.

    Jump to:
    • Why this Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • 🍹 How to Make a Margarita with Vodka
    • 💭 Vodka Margarita Variations
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip
    • 🔪Equipment
    • What to Serve with Vodka Margaritas
    • 💬Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    🧾Ingredient Notes

    • Vodka- Use any brand you like. I recommend a mid-range brand like Tito's or Ketel One or a local brand from your own area.
    • Cointreau - Cointreau is a type of triple sec. Generic triple secs can be substituted but Cointreau is the brand I recommend.

    • Fresh Lime Juice- You can use fresh squeezed or bottle plain lime juice. I do not recommend Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice as it is more high fructose corn syrup than lime juice.
    • Fresh Lime Wedges
    • Kosher Salt
    • Ice

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    margaritas on a tray

    🍹 How to Make a Margarita with Vodka

    This cocktail has three simple steps. Let's get started.

    Step 1- Salt Rim

    The easiest thing to do is pour your kosher salt on a small saucer or plate. Use a lime wedge to dampen the rim of your glass. Dip the top of the glass into the salt on your plate. The salt will stick to the lime juice.

    Note: You can use a traditional margarita glass, a rocks glass or a highball glass to serve a vodka margarita.

    plate of kosher salt with cocktail shaker

    Step 2- Shake

    In a cocktail shaker, combine your favorite vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds. You will know it is chilled because the outside of the shaker will frost over.

    Step 3- Serve

    Place ice in your slat-rimmed glasses. Strain the margarita when pouring to remove any stray seeds or pulp from the lime juice. Garnish with lime wedges.

    Sit back relax, have some chips and salsa.

    💭 Vodka Margarita Variations

    Spicy Vodka Margarita

    Add two to four slices of fresh jalapeno to the cocktail shaker and muddle before adding the ice and other ingredients. Make as usual. Add additional jalapeno slices as a garnish.

    You can also do the same chili-lime salt rim we use in our mezcal paloma if you are feeling festive.

    Frozen Vodka Margarita

    Place the vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice in a blender with 3 to 4 cups of ice. Blend on high until slushy. Serve in a glass with a salted rim. And if you like your margarita cocktails definitely check out our popsicle gin and tonic.

    frozen margarita in a glass

    Low Alchohol Margarita (i.e. Margarita without Triple Sec)

    Want a drink but not so much alcohol? No problem! Skip the Cointreau and add an equal amount of fresh squeezed orange juice instead.

    Vodka Margarita Pitcher Recipe

    Perfect for a large gathering! Combine the following qualities in a large pitcher and stir well before serving.

    • 3 cups vodka
    • 1 cup Cointreau
    • 1 ½ cups lime juice
    • 3 cups of ice

    As an alternative, you can also make this coconut lime margarita with vodka instead of tequila.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tip

    Change up the salt rim by doing 50/50 salt and sugar or do a tajin chili seasoning to spice it up.

    🔪Equipment

    Technically you don't need any fancy equipment to make vodka margaritas at home. But two items I find helpful are:

    • Stainless steel cocktail shaker
    • Handheld juicer
    overhead shot of margaritas on counter

    What to Serve with Vodka Margaritas

    • Shawarma Chicken Wings
    • Salsa with Canned Tomatoes
    • Balsamic Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
    • Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket

    💬Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make margaritas with vodka?

    Yes. Vodka is great substitute for tequila if you are craving the citrus of a margarita but do not have tequila on hand, or you simply do not care for the taste of tequila.

    Do you put a salt rim on a vodka margarita?

    The original purpose of a salt rim on a margarita was to counteract the bitterness. When using orange liqueur or fresh citrus I recommend using a salt rim. It is part of what makes a margarita a margarita.

    Can you use Rose's Sweetened Lime Juice in a margarita?

    It is not recommended. Margaritas do not typically contain sweeteners such as simple syrup. Rose's has more high fructose corn syrup than lime juice, so it is not recommended for margaritas.

    What is the difference between Cointreau and triple sec?

    Triple sec refers to a type of dry orange liquor. Typically between 15 and 30 proof. While Cointreau is a name brand of triple sec that is 40 proof.

    Grand Marnier is often referred to as Cointreau alternative but is actually a Curacao- triple sec hybrid made from Cognac. I do not recommend it for vodka margaritas because of the heavy cognac taste.

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    vodka margarita with fresh limes

    Vodka Margarita

    Recipe Created By: Jen Wooster
    Margaritas made with vodka a nice change of pace from the classic cocktail. Make frozen or on the rocks this refreshing drink is a crowd pleaser.
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Cocktail
    Cuisine American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
    Servings 2
    Calories 147 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 lime wedges for rimming glasses plus more for garnish
    • ¼ cup kosher salt or coarse sea salt for rimming glasses
    • 3 oz. vodka
    • 1 oz. Cointreau or sub triple sec
    • 1 ½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
    • Ice

    Instructions
     

    • Spread salt on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the outer rims of 2 glasses and dip rims in salt. Fill glasses with ice and set aside.
      2 lime wedges, ¼ cup kosher salt or coarse sea salt
    • In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds.
      3 oz. vodka, 1 oz. Cointreau, 1 ½ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice, Ice
    • Strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    1. Want a sweeter margarita? Add ½ ounce of simple syrup.
    2. See blog post for spicy vodka margarita variations.
    3. See blog post for frozen margarita instructions.
    Pitcher Vodka Margarita
    • 3 cups vodka
    • 1 cup Cointreau
    • 1 ½ cup lime juice
    • 3 cups of ice

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcal | Carbs: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g
    Keyword Margarita made with vodka, margarita without tequila, titorita, vodka margarita, vodkarita
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Check out our Vodka Margarita web story!

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    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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