Are you curious about how much sugar is in a margarita? All sweet mixed beverages have high sugar contents, and a margarita is no exception. However, the amount of sugar in a margarita varies based on the ingredients, the type, and the size of the margarita. For instance, margaritas made with a mix have more sugar content than traditionally-made margaritas. In addition, if it’s a margarita made from only triple sec, tequila, and lime juice, the sugar comes from the triple sec. This type of margarita has 11 grams of sugar when you don’t add any simple syrup, which many folks opting for healthier choices, such as those looking for keto-friendly coffee, may do.

Traditional Lime Margarita

A 4-ounce margarita on the rocks has two ounces of tequila, an ounce of lime juice, an ounce of triple sec, and salt. 

Of those ingredients, lime juice and triple sec both have sugar. Two ounces of lime juice have less than one gram of sugar, and an ounce of triple sec contains 10.9 grams of sugar. So, a traditional lime margarita has 11 to 12 grams of sugar, which is the same amount regardless of if you serve your margarita on the rocks or blended, because bartenders use the same mixer, ice, and liquor amounts. If you’re on the keto side of things and wondering about the carbs in margarita, click here to check out our latest article. 

Margarita With a Mixer

A traditional margarita made with a mixer has varying amounts of sugar, depending on the brand. However, although mixers often have sugar, you don't need to add triple sec; you only need to use tequila, which doesn’t have sugar. So, the amount of sugar for various margaritas mixes depends on your mixer.

• An ounce of Jose Cuervo Classic Lime Margarita Mix contains 4.9 grams of sugar, so the amount of sugar depends on the amount of mixer you use. For instance, 10 ounces of margarita with eight ounces of a mixer and two ounces of tequila would have 39.2 grams sugar, which is more than a traditional margarita. Wondering if diabetics can drink margaritas? We’ve got you covered.

• A Jordan’s Skinny Mixes margarita has less sugar than other mixes. This drink is ready-made, without the need to add any mixers and alcohol. Three ounces of Jordan’s Skinny Mixes margarita has only four grams of sugar.

Fruit Margaritas

Fruity margaritas and other flavored margaritas are made from a similar base as traditional margaritas, with fruits added. So, these margaritas have two ounces of tequila, an ounce of triple sec, an ounce of lime juice, and three cups of unsweetened fresh or frozen fruit. Fruity margaritas usually end up having around 11 to 12 grams of sugar. 

Fruit Mixes

If you decide to use a fruit-flavored margarita mix, the amount of sugar will vary based on the manufacturer. However, you’ll notice that because these mixers only require you to add tequila and forgo triple sec, they blend perfectly with ice rather than frozen or fresh fruit. Thus, an eight-ounce serving of fruit flavored mixer has a lower sugar content than a fresh fruit-filled margarita.

Final Thoughts

Margaritas have varying amounts of sugar depending on the ingredients you use, the type, and the size of the margarita. Typically, a traditional margarita has less sugar than a margarita with a mix, and the amount of sugar in a margarita will depend on the mixer you use, as well as what else you add in!