A margarita is a classic tequila cocktail that is a popular drink at parties, bars, and Mexican restaurants. The signature ingredients in a margarita are tequila, orange liqueur like triple sec or Cointreau, and lime juice. Some margarita recipes also include simple syrup or agave nectar to sweeten the drink. With its tangy, sweet, and salty flavors, the margarita goes down easy which makes it dangerous to drink too many! But just how many margaritas can you get out of a gallon of margarita mix? Let’s break it down.
What’s in a Margarita?
First, we need to know what the standard margarita recipe is before we can figure out the yield per gallon. According to the International Bartenders Association, the classic margarita recipe is:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- Salt for glass rimming
This makes one margarita that is served in a rocks glass over ice, usually around 8-12 oz in size. The proportions of a margarita can be tweaked, but this 2:1:1 ratio of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime is considered the standard.
How Many Ounces are in a Gallon?
Now that we know the basic margarita ratio, we need to know how many ounces are in a gallon. A US gallon contains 128 fluid ounces. Here’s the math:
- 1 gallon = 4 quarts
- 1 quart = 2 pints
- 1 pint = 2 cups
- 1 cup = 8 ounces
So:
- 4 quarts x 2 pints per quart = 8 pints
- 8 pints x 2 cups per pint = 16 cups
- 16 cups x 8 ounces per cup = 128 ounces
Therefore, a standard US gallon contains 128 fluid ounces.
Calculating Margaritas per Gallon
Now we can calculate how many margaritas can be made from one gallon of margarita mix using the standard recipe ratios:
- 2 oz tequila per drink x 128 oz per gallon = 64 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange liqueur per drink x 128 oz per gallon = 128 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz lime juice per drink x 128 oz per gallon = 128 oz lime juice
That adds up to 64 oz tequila, 128 oz orange liqueur, and 128 oz lime juice for a total of 320 oz of ingredients.
Since the total ingredients per margarita are 4 oz (2 oz tequila + 1 oz orange liqueur + 1 oz lime juice), if we divide the total ounces per gallon by the ounces per drink, we get:
320 oz per gallon / 4 oz per drink = 80 margaritas
Therefore, the yield per gallon of margarita mix is approximately 80 standard margaritas.
Margarita Ingredient Amounts Per Gallon
To summarize, here are the amounts of each ingredient needed to make one gallon of margarita mix that will yield 80 margaritas:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tequila | 64 oz |
| Orange liqueur | 128 oz |
| Lime juice | 128 oz |
This accounts for the 2:1:1 ratio of tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice in an 80 serving batch.
But Wait…What About Dilution and Blending?
The above calculation provides a helpful baseline, but it does make some assumptions. First, it doesn’t account for dilution from ice or extra splash ingredients like sour mix or club soda that some recipes include. Adding extra liquids will dilute the margarita and result in a higher total volume and lower alcohol content per drink.
It also assumes the margaritas will be shaken or stirred with ice rather than blended. Margaritas made in a blender with ice will produce a larger total volume, again diluting the alcohol per serving.
To account for these factors, it’s best to estimate your gallons of margarita mix will yield approximately 70-75 margaritas rather than a full 80. While the total volume of liquid increases, the added dilution means each drink contains less alcohol in the end. A good rule of thumb is to calculate 20% dilution, meaning your actual yield may be up to 20% lower than the pre-diluted volume.
Typical Margarita Glass Sizes
In addition to dilution, glass size can impact margarita yields per gallon. If you want to estimate precisely how many glasses your batch will fill, here are some typical margarita glass sizes:
- Cocktail glass: 4-6 oz
- Old fashioned glass: 8-10 oz
- Pint glass: 16 oz
- Large Mason jar: 24-28 oz
A gallon of margarita mix would fill approximately:
- 128-192 cocktail glasses
- 80-100 old fashioned glasses
- 40-50 pint glasses
- 25-32 mason jars
However, these would all be under-diluted compared to a typical margarita recipe. Stick with the 70-75 serving estimate for a blended or rocks-style margarita. Adjust the quantities if serving as shots in cocktail glasses to account for less dilution.
Making Pitchers of Margaritas
For large parties, it’s easier to prepare margarita mix and serve from pitchers rather than mixing individual drinks. Here are some serving estimates for batch margaritas:
- One gallon = four 32-oz pitchers
- Half gallon = two 32-oz pitchers
- Quarter gallon = one 32-oz pitcher
For a standard 32-oz pitcher:
- 16 oz tequila
- 8 oz triple sec
- 8 oz lime juice
This will make approximately 8 margaritas per pitcher, depending on glass size and dilution.
Making Stronger or Weaker Margaritas
What if you want to adjust the potency of your margaritas with more or less alcohol per drink? Here’s how to calculate the yield for stronger or weaker margarita recipes:
For extra strong 2.5 oz tequila margaritas:
- 2.5 oz tequila x 128 oz per gallon = 320 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange liqueur x 128 oz per gallon = 128 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz lime juice x 128 oz per gallon = 128 oz lime juice
Total ingredients = 320 oz tequila + 128 oz orange liqueur + 128 oz lime juice = 576 oz
576 oz / 4.5 oz per drink = 128 margaritas
For lighter 1.5 oz tequila margaritas:
- 1.5 oz tequila x 128 oz per gallon = 192 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange liqueur x 128 oz per gallon = 128 oz orange liqueur
- 1 oz lime juice x 128 oz per gallon = 128 oz lime juice
Total ingredients = 192 oz tequila + 128 oz orange liqueur + 128 oz lime juice = 448 oz
448 oz / 3.5 oz per drink = 128 margaritas
So you can scale the tequila amount up or down to make the margaritas with more or less kick. Just remember you’ll always need equal parts orange liqueur and lime juice.
Conclusion
Based on the standard margarita ratio of 2 oz tequila, 1 oz orange liqueur, and 1 oz lime juice, a gallon of margarita mix will yield approximately 80 drinks at 4 oz each. Accounting for dilution from ice and blending, you can realistically get 70-75 margaritas per gallon. The exact yield will depend on factors like recipe proportions, glass size, and mixing method. Whether you’re mixing up margaritas for a backyard fiesta or Cinco de Mayo, this handy gallon calculator takes the guesswork out of batch margarita making so you can gauge ingredients and ensure everyone gets their share of tangy, icy margarita deliciousness. ¡Salud!