It only takes 4 ingredients (plus an empty ice cream pail) to make this easy Margarita Slush, and it’s great for backyard barbecues, pool parties, and summer nights.

Glasses of margarita slush.

After the success of my Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush, I realized the world likes quick and easy slushy drinks made in ice cream pails.

Margaritas were an obvious next choice. Put out a batch (or two!) of these at your next backyard barbecue and let everyone helps themselves. Easiest cocktail ever.

Table of Contents
  1. Recipe ingredients
  2. Ingredient notes
  3. Step-by-step instructions
  4. Recipe tips and variations
  5. Margarita Slush Recipe

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for margarita slush.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

  • Tequila: Tequila blanco is lighter in body and perfect for making cocktails like this one. Tequila reposado (which means “rested” and is aged in oak for at least 2 months) is ideal for sipping.
  • Triple sec: Or any orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. In an empty one-gallon ice cream pail, combine limeade concentrate, tequila, triple sec, and 2 liter bottle of soda. Place in the freezer and chill at least 8 hours, overnight, or up to a month in advance.
An ice cream pail full of Margarita Slush.
  1. Remove from freezer 1-2 hours before serving. As the slush melts, it will become easier to scrape and serve.
An ice cream pail full of Margarita Slush.
  1. To serve, add 1 cup slush to a glass (rim the glass with coarse salt if desired, see note 3). Top with additional soda and garnish with a lime slice or wedge.
Glasses of margarita slush.

Recipe tips and variations

  • Yield: This recipe makes a batch of 12 cocktails.
  • Glassware: A Margarita glass is the classic choice, but I love how approachable a lowball glass is for happy hour.

Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush

You need just 3 ingredients to make this easy Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush. Share this refreshing Midwestern classic cocktail recipe at holiday gatherings, showers, and parties. When I was growing up, this is the Vodka Slush…

8 hours 5 minutes
View Recipe

More slushy drinks

3 glasses of Margarita Slush.

Margarita Slush

It only takes 4 ingredients (plus an empty ice cream pail) to make this easy Margarita Slush, and it's great for backyard barbecues, pool parties, and summer nights.
5 from 12 votes
ReviewPrint
Cook Time 8 hrs 5 mins
Total Time 8 hrs 5 mins
Servings 12 servings
Course Drinks
Cuisine American, Mexican
Calories 157

Ingredients 

  • 2 (6 ounce) cans frozen limeade concentrate thawed
  • 2 cups tequila (see note 1)
  • 1 cup triple sec or orange liqueur (see note 2)
  • 1 (2-liter) bottle lemon-lime soda plus more, for serving
  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions 

  • In an empty one-gallon ice cream pail, combine limeade concentrate, tequila, triple sec, and 2 liter bottle of soda. Place in the freezer and chill at least 8 hours, overnight, or up to a month in advance.
  • Remove from freezer 1-2 hours before serving. As the slush melts, it will become easier to scrape and serve.
  • To serve, add 1 cup slush to a glass (rim the glass with coarse salt if desired, see note 3). Top with additional soda and garnish with a lime slice or wedge.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Tequila: Tequila blanco is lighter in body and perfect for making cocktails like this one. Tequila reposado (which means “rested” and is aged in oak for at least 2 months) is ideal for sipping.
  2. Triple sec: Or any orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
  3. Salted rim: In a shallow dish as wide as your serving glass, add Margarita salt (or kosher salt) to 1/4-inch deep. Run a lime wedge around the top of each glass, then dip the top of the glass upside-down into the salt and turn to coat.
  4. Yield: This recipe makes a batch of 12 cocktails.
  5. Glassware: A Margarita glass is the classic choice, but I love how approachable a lowball glass is for happy hour.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 157kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 7mgSugar: 7gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg
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Comments

  1. Love!
    Made for Thanksgiving celebration, my guests gobbled it up. Warmth from kitchen + cold sour slush= perfection! I liked that I could make ahead of time and the ease of serving, we served in small fancy plastic cups and used plastic spoons. I will make this again and again5 stars

    Reply

  2. I have been making something similar for years but when looking for a recipe to freeze ahead of time, I am worried about freezing the soda. Is it still carbonated when it freezes, or purely for taste?

    Reply

  5. How many people would this recipe serve? Let’s say I’m making it for ONE person…..would cutting this recipe in half STILL be too much?

    Reply

    1. Hi Kelly! This recipe makes 12 servings, about a gallon of slush. So, a half-gallon of slush is probably too much for one person. That would be one cup of tequila and a half cup of triple sec, just for one person! I would divide by 4, at least. But I suppose it depends on the person! I hope this helps. Thanks for your question!