There's nothing like a margarita to get the fiesta flowing. And while FICKS made our cocktail mixers so you could actually be part of the fiesta, rather than getting stuck mixing drinks all night, nothing compares to a fresh margarita mix squeezed the same day. Here's a recipe for the perfect margarita mix, from scratch, if you're looking for the freshest fiesta fathomable.
Pro Tip: If you're looking to save time, just go ahead and order a bottle of FICKS Margarita Mix.
$12.99
🍹 Sip straight over ice for non-alcoholic cocktails 🌵 Fresh Mexican limes and agave nectar 🚫 Half the sugar of other all natural cocktail mix 🍃 All natural ingredients 🕐 Mix bar-quality margaritas in under 1 minute Just Mix 2 Parts FICKS… learn moreFICKS Premium Margarita Mix
Every Good Margarita Mix Starts with Its Limes
Why are limes so important to margaritas? Because they provide that delicious citrusy tang that makes margaritas, well, margaritas. And not just any lime will do - you want to make sure they're fresh, juicy, and green. If your limes are starting to brown or get wrinkly, they're past their prime and won't give your margarita mix the flavor it deserves.
There are different types of limes that can alter the taste of your margarita. The most common lime is the Persian lime, which is what you'll find in your standard margarita mix. These limes are relatively small, with a thick skin that's easy to remove. If you're looking for a margarita with a little more zing, go for the key lime. Key limes are smaller and more tart than Persian limes, so they'll give your margarita a bit of extra acidity.
What type of lime is best in margaritas? The answer is: it depends on your taste. If you like your margaritas on the sweeter side, go with Persian limes. If you prefer a tart margarita, go for key limes. And if you can't decide, mix it up and use both!
Choose a Sweetener to Balance Out the Citrus of your Mixer
Have you ever bitten straight into a lime? I bet you puckered just reading that question...
Limes are incredibly tart, and margaritas need just the right amount of sweetness to balance out that acidity. That's why cane sugar, simple syrup, or agave nectar are essential ingredients in any margarita mix. We're not even going to talk about high-fructose corn syrup and all that S#*t that you shouldn't be drinking anyways.
Simple Syrup: Simple syrup is the most common sweetener used in margaritas, and you can find a quick recipe simple syrup recipe we wrote here. Simple syrup is made by boiling sugar and water together until the sugar has dissolved, and it's typically a one-to-one ratio of sugar to water. Super easy, and can be customized to integrate other flavors as well like this strawberry simple syrup.
Agave Nectar: This is what you'll find in FICKS Margarita Mix and our other tequila-focused cocktail mixers. Agave nectar is a popular alternative to simple syrup because it's a natural sweetener derived from the agave plant. It has a similar taste to honey, and is a great way to add some sweetness to margaritas without adding any additional flavors. It's also a little healthier, as it has a lower glycemic index than sugar.
Cane Sugar: You can also use granulated sugar to sweeten your margarita mix but it's not as common as simple syrup or agave nectar. That's because granulated sugar doesn't dissolve as easily into cold liquids, so you'll have to stir it quite a bit to make sure it's fully incorporated. We don't recommend this route, but if you're not able to use agave or cook up some simple syrup it's fine in a pinch.
Introduce Some Exotic Flavors to Customize Your Margarita Mix
There are all kinds of twists on the simple lime margarita! Some are fruity, some are spicy, and some are just straight up weird (we're looking at you, margarita with an egg in it). If you want to put your own spin on the margarita mix, here are a few ideas:
Mango Margaritas: Puree some fresh mango and add it to your margarita mix for a fruity twist.
Strawberry Margaritas: Do the same with strawberries, or add some strawberry simple syrup to really bring out the flavor.
Pineapple Margaritas: You can use fresh pineapple or pineapple juice in your margarita mix. Or, get creative and add some pineapple simple syrup.
Watermelon Margaritas: Watermelon is another great fruit to use in margaritas. You can either add watermelon juice or some watermelon puree to your margarita mix. Yum!
Cucumber Margaritas: Cucumber margaritas are refreshing and perfect for summer. Just add some cucumber juice or puree to your margarita mix.
Jalapeño Margaritas: For a spicy margarita, add some jalapeño slices or jalapeño simple syrup to your margarita mix. Or, if you're feeling really brave, muddle a few slices of fresh jalapeño into your margarita.
Herbal Margaritas: There are all sorts of herbs that go well with margaritas. Try adding some mint, basil, or cilantro to your margarita mix for a unique twist.
Margaritas are one of the most popular cocktails in the world, and it's no wonder why. They're refreshing, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you're entertaining guests or just looking to enjoy a delicious cocktail, margaritas are always a good idea.
How to Make Your Margarita Mix Last
Have some margarita mix left over, or party isn't starting for a few days? No problem! There are ways to extend the life of your margarita mix. And no we're not talking about preservatives! Rather than use preservatives, FICKS cocktail mixers are heated to near boiling in a process called pasteurization which basically kills off any dangerous microbes to make our mixers shelf stable. You can use this same process to make sure your margarita mix lasts a couple weeks in the fridge for you to enjoy a little each night, or save for your next cocktail party.
A quick lesson on pasteurization. Pasteurization is a food safety process where foods are heated to a temperature that kills off harmful bacteria. While this might make you think your margarita mix will be heated to the point where it's no longer tasty, that's not the case! The margarita mix only needs to be heated to 140-160°F for a minute or two. This is hot enough to kill any harmful bacteria, but not so hot that it will ruin the taste of your margarita mix.
Here's how to pasteurize your margarita mix:
- Heat your margarita mix on the stove until it reaches between 140-160°F. If you don't have a cooking thermometer, bring the water to a boil and then let it cool for a minute or two until it's no longer boiling but still hot.
- Pour your margarita mix into a heat-safe container. We recommend using a glass jar or bottle, but make sure these glasses are warm when you're filling! Otherwise you could end up with glass and wet margarita on your counter.
- Screw on the lid or cap and let your margarita mix cool to room temperature.
- Once it's cooled, store your margarita mix in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Now you can enjoy your margarita mix anytime, without worrying about it going bad!
Here's Our Recipe for a Quick Margarita Mix
You might think by now that a cocktail mixer company like FICKS would be crazy to lay out all these instructions on how to make your own margarita mix, but we're just crazy in love with cocktails! It's much simpler to use a cocktail mix like FICKS, as we've already done the hard work of sourcing the best ingredients and getting them ready to pour, but we wish the fun we get bottling our mixers on everybody - including you! So if you wants a fresh, squeezed-today margarita mix here is FICKS quick margarita mix recipe:
Ingredients:
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Fresh squeezed lime juice - 3oz per cocktail
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Fresh squeezed orange juice - 1oz per cocktail
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Agave nectar - 1 tsp per cocktail
Directions
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Pour all ingredients into a bowl
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Whisk until properly mixed
Simple as that! Either store for later as we mentioned above, or start throwing this into a cocktail shaker with your favorite tequila for some of the freshest margaritas imaginable.
Cheers!
