This refreshing beer margarita is smooth, bright, and perfectly balanced, with plenty of lime flavor and just the right amount of tequila. It is the kind of easy cocktail that works for warm weekends, taco night, Cinco de Mayo, summer cookouts, or a relaxed happy hour at home. Even though it is called a beer margarita, the beer does not take over the drink. Instead, a small splash of light beer softens the sharp citrus edge and makes the margarita taste smoother and easier to sip.
The secret is not to add too much beer. About a quarter cup in the whole pitcher is enough to mellow the tart limeade and bring the ingredients together without making the cocktail taste like beer. This style of drink is sometimes known as a beerita, beergarita, or beer margarita, and it has been popular for a long time. This version keeps the recipe simple while creating a frozen margarita that tastes clean, citrusy, and well balanced.
What’s in a Beer Margarita?
A beer margarita uses the familiar ingredients of a classic margarita, then adds a small amount of light beer for a smoother finish. The combination is simple, quick, and ideal when you want a pitcher-style frozen margarita without complicated steps.
- Limeade
- Tequila
- Triple Sec
- Juice and zest of one lime
- Light Beer
- Ice
- Kosher salt
- Grand Marnier (optional)
What Type of Tequila is Best for Margaritas?
There are three main types of tequila you may see when shopping for margarita ingredients. Each one has its own flavor profile, aging process, and price range. Choosing the best tequila for margaritas depends on whether you prefer a crisp agave flavor or a smoother, slightly richer taste.
Tequila Blanco aka Silver
Tequila Blanco, also called silver tequila, is not aged. It has a clean, classic agave flavor with notes of citrus, pepper, and a lightly spicy finish. Because it is fresh and bright, blanco tequila is a popular choice for margaritas. It blends well with lime, orange liqueur, and salt without getting lost in the drink.
Tequila Reposado
Tequila Reposado is aged for 2 to 12 months in oak barrels. This short aging process gives it a smoother flavor with subtle notes of oak, vanilla, and caramel. Reposado can make a margarita taste rounder and a little more complex, especially if you enjoy a softer finish.
Tequila Añejo
Tequila Añejo is aged for 1 to 4 years in oak barrels. It usually has a richer flavor with notes such as vanilla and cinnamon. Añejo is often enjoyed straight or over ice, so it is not usually the first choice for margaritas, where lime and mixers can cover its deeper character.
For this beer margarita recipe, blanco or reposado tequila are the best choices. Blanco gives the drink a more traditional, lively agave flavor, while reposado creates a smoother and slightly richer margarita. Blanco tequila is often the more affordable option and is widely used in margaritas, but either style can work well. Choose the tequila you already enjoy drinking, since its flavor will still come through in the finished cocktail.
What Kind of Beer Goes in a Beer Margarita?
A light beer is the best choice for a beer margarita. Mexican lagers and ales such as Corona, Pacifico, Tecate, or Modelo work well, but any light beer can be used. Avoid dark beer, heavy beer, or strongly flavored beer, because those can overpower the lime and tequila. The goal is not to make the margarita taste like beer. The beer is there to soften the acidity and add a crisp, easy-drinking finish.
What is a Beer Margarita Called?
A beer margarita goes by several fun names. You may hear it called a Beerita, Beergarita, Coronita Margarita, Mexican Bulldog, Iceberg Margarita, or Margarita Beer Shandy. No matter what name you use, the idea is the same: a margarita made smoother and lighter with a small amount of beer.
Enjoy this frozen beer margarita with a salted rim, a squeeze of fresh lime, and an optional Grand Marnier float for an extra citrus finish.
Margarita with Beer
2 margaritas
5 minutes
5 minutes
Whether it is Cinco de Mayo, the 4th of July, or a simple cocktail hour at home, this beer margarita is a quick and refreshing drink for any season.
Ingredients
- 1 (6 ounce) can frozen limeade concentrate
- 6 fluid ounces tequila, blanco or reposado
- 2 fluid ounces Triple Sec
- Juice and zest of one lime
- ¼ cup light beer, not dark beer
- Ice
- Coarse salt
- Grand Marnier, optional
Instructions
- Pour the coarse salt onto a small plate and mix it with the lime zest.
- Wet the rims of the glasses, then dip each rim into the lime salt mixture.
- Fill a blender with crushed ice.
- Add the limeade concentrate, tequila, Triple Sec, fresh lime juice, and light beer.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and frosty.
- Pour into margarita glasses. If desired, drizzle a small amount of Grand Marnier on top as a float.
Notes
This is a frozen margarita recipe, but it can also be served on the rocks. To make it that way, combine the limeade concentrate, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and beer in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for about 10 seconds, or until chilled, then pour into prepared glasses. If you do not have a shaker, use a measuring cup or pitcher and stir well.
For a spicy beer margarita, add jalapeño slices before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 412
Total Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 370mg
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 39g
Protein: 1g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
Here are more tasty margaritas and South of the Border recipes to try:
- Cucumber Margarita
- Mango Margarita
- Pomegranate Margarita
- Cinco de Mayo Recipes
- Taco Recipes for Taco Night
- Mexican Dessert Recipes