A classic margarita is one of the most popular cocktails, especially in beachside restaurants like Margaritaville. Made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice, the refreshing drink is the perfect accompaniment to a sunny day. But like most cocktails, margaritas can pack quite a caloric punch. So how many calories are actually in a classic margarita from Margaritaville? Let’s take a closer look.
Calories in Margarita Ingredients
To determine the calorie count of a Margaritaville classic margarita, we need to look at the calories in each ingredient:
Tequila
Most margaritas are made with a silver or blanco tequila. These unaged tequilas have around 100 calories per 1.5 ounce serving (a typical margarita serving size).
Orange Liqueur
The orange liqueur used is usually triple sec. Triple sec contains about 110 calories per 1 ounce.
Lime Juice
Fresh lime juice adds tart citrus flavor with barely any calories—just 20 calories per fluid ounce.
Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is often used to sweeten margaritas. Simple syrup contains about 60 calories per fluid ounce.
So for a standard 2-3 ounce margarita made with 1.5 ounces tequila (100 calories), 1 ounce orange liqueur (110 calories), 1 ounce lime juice (20 calories), and 0.5 ounces simple syrup (30 calories), the total calorie count comes to about 260 calories.
Calories in a Margaritaville Classic Margarita
Now let’s look specifically at the Margaritaville classic margarita.
According to the Margaritaville nutrition information, a 12 oz classic frozen margarita contains:
- 220 calories
- 14g carbs
- 0g fat
- 0g protein
So a standard Margaritaville frozen margarita contains about 220 calories. This is less than our estimate for a typical 2-3 ounce margarita. Why is that?
A few reasons:
- Margaritaville uses a margarita mix as the base of their classic margaritas. The mix likely contains less orange liqueur and simple syrup compared to a made-from-scratch margarita, reducing the calorie count.
- Margaritaville’s classic margarita is served frozen. The ice contributes volume without adding any additional calories.
- A 12 ounce margarita contains a higher ratio of ice to liquid ingredients compared to a 2-3 ounce drink.
So the frozen preparation and margarita mix base allow Margaritaville to create a lighter, lower-calorie version of a margarita compared to most restaurants.
Ways to Lighten Up a Margarita
If you’re looking to reduce the calorie count even further, there are a few easy tweaks you can make:
Use 100% Agave Tequila
Swap out regular tequila for 100% agave tequila. The pure agave spirit shaves off a few calories, clocking in at around 70 calories per serving compared to 100 calories in regular tequila.
Switch to Fresh Citrus Juice
Skip the sweet and sour mix which can add unnecessary calories and sugars. Opt for fresh-squeezed lime juice instead.
Reduce the Orange Liqueur
Cut back on the triple sec or orange liqueur, which packs over 100 calories an ounce. Aim for 3/4 ounce instead of a full ounce.
Lighten Up the Sweetener
Rather than simple syrup, sweeten your margarita with just a teaspoon of agave nectar or honey. You’ll get the sweetness with far fewer calories.
Add More Ice
Like Margaritaville’s frozen version, extra ice means you can fill up your glass without adding more high-calorie liquid ingredients.
Make It Skinny
Order your margarita on the rocks and ask for soda water or sparkling water instead of sour mix. The bubbles add lightness and refreshment.
Garnish with Fresh Fruit
Skip the salty rim (which can add up to 150 calories!) and garnish your glass with wedges of fresh lime, grapefruit, or melon instead. The fruit adds bright flavor and cuts the richness.
The Bottom Line
A classic frozen margarita from Margaritaville contains about 220 calories per 12 ounce serving. This is on the lighter side for a margarita thanks to their frozen preparation and use of a lower calorie margarita mix as the base. By choosing 100% agave tequila, fresh citrus juice, less orange liqueur, lighter sweeteners, extra ice, and fruit garnishes, you can further reduce the calories in this iconic beachside cocktail. Sip your margarita guilt-free and enjoy those ocean views!
Nutrition Information for Margaritaville’s Classic Margarita
| Serving Size | 12 fl oz (355 ml) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 220 |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
Calories in Common Margarita Ingredients
| Ingredient | Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Tequila blanco | 1.5 oz | 100 |
| Triple sec | 1 oz | 110 |
| Lime juice | 1 oz | 20 |
| Simple syrup | 1 oz | 60 |
| Orange juice | 1 oz | 15 |