Put down that margarita mix! This homemade large-batch margarita pitcher tastes so much fresher and is the perfect cocktail to serve a crowd at your next Mexican-themed party or Cinco de Mayo festivities!
My recipe is as simple as it gets and is just 4 ingredients: orange liqueur, freshly squeezed lime juice, agave syrup and your best tequila!
For adults 21+ in the U.S.: Please enjoy responsibly and never drink and drive.
Note: This recipe makes about 14 margaritas (roughly 70 oz. before ice). Use one large pitcher or split the batch between two smaller pitchers—whatever fits your fridge and is comfortable to lift.
Making a large batch of homemade margaritas is honestly so easy. I'm still a little mad at myself for not learning sooner. I turn my jalapeno pineapple margaritas into a pitcher too, because once you know the basic formula, why not?
If spicy pineapple isn't your thing, no worries. Once you know the basic ratio, a classic batch comes together in minutes, and it's easy to tweak from there.
Plus, your guests will appreciate that they can serve themselves.
This batch makes about 14 margaritas and lands right where I like them: tart, a little sweet, and very refreshing.
It’s also perfect for game day, from football Sundays to the World Cup. Because the batch can be made ahead and guests can serve themselves, you can spend more time watching the game and less time mixing drinks. For more hosting inspiration, see our Football Watch Party Ideas and World Cup Party Ideas.
Have you tried my Avocado Margarita or my Margarita Trifles yet?
Jump to:
- Large Batch Margarita Ingredients
- Instructions
- The Perfect Margarita Rim
- ⏰Making Your Pitcher in Advance
- Margarita Making Equipment
- ✔️ Batch Margarita Pitcher Tips
- Margarita Pitcher Questions
- How long does a pitcher of margaritas last?
- What is the ratio of tequila to margarita mix?
- Scaling Margarita Batches for a Crowd
- Is triple sec or Cointreau better for margaritas?
- Margarita Variations
- More Margarita FAQs
- Large Batch Margarita Pitchers
Large Batch Margarita Ingredients
- Tequila blanco: I prefer Jose Cuervo because it's good quality but doesn't kill your budget.
- Freshly squeezed limes: Don't you dare buy the store-bought stuff!
- Orange liqueur of choice - Triple Sec, Cointreau, and Grand Marnier (not pictured below).
- Agave syrup/simple syrup- *Optional* aka agave nectar. It is a sweetener that comes from the agave plant native to Mexico. You can substitute honey or just simple syrup if you prefer.
Instructions
- To make a large batch margarita pitcher, mix together all of the ingredients above. This can be done in any jug, jar or the serving pitcher itself.
- If you’re making the batch ahead, chill it without ice.
- Just before serving, add ice to the pitcher or pour the margaritas over ice in each glass. A little dilution is part of a good margarita; the goal is simply to avoid letting the pitcher sit on melting ice for too long.
If you love summer cocktails, you have to try my Passion Fruit Vodka Martini!
The Perfect Margarita Rim
A good rim is simple: coarse salt, a little lime, and you're done. I like it because it gives each sip a little salty contrast without overpowering the drink.
I prefer coarse sea salt, and if I want it to really stay put, a very thin swipe of honey works surprisingly well.
I usually skip standard kosher salt here. Coarse sea salt looks better on the glass and gives you a nicer hit of salt with each sip. Not a salt person? Coarse sugar is a great alternative.
Tajin Or Chili Powder
If you like a spicy kick, add a bit of tajin seasoning or chili powder to the rim of your marg.
Love fruity cocktails? Check out this awesome drink list!
⏰Making Your Pitcher in Advance
You can prep this a day ahead, which is one of my favorite party tricks. Do the mixing before everyone shows up and you actually get to enjoy your own party.
If everyone is drinking, mix everything except the ice and chill it. If you want a nonalcoholic option too, keep both the tequila and orange liqueur separate and refrigerate the lime-agave base on its own. Then you can build the alcoholic and zero-proof drinks separately when guests are ready.
What About Non-Alcoholic Tequila Alternatives?
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Personally, I have not made many non-alcoholic margaritas, but here are some of the best options I found. Ritual Zero Proof, Almave Blanco, Lyre's Agave Blanco, and Free Spirits are all worth a look, and I've pulled together some non-alcoholic tequila alternatives on Amazon if you want to compare options.
One important note: swapping the tequila alone does not make this margarita alcohol-free because Cointreau and Triple Sec contain alcohol too. For a true zero-proof version, use a non-alcoholic orange liqueur such as Lyre's Orange Sec, or use a small splash of fresh orange juice and adjust the sweetness to taste. If 0.0% matters to you, check the label—some products sold as non-alcoholic can still contain trace amounts of alcohol.
At serving time, add ice to the pitcher or pour the margaritas over ice in each glass. Give the batch a good stir and taste it. A little dilution helps soften the drink; if it still tastes too strong, let the ice melt for a few minutes or add a small splash of cold water.
Margarita Making Equipment
If you make margaritas often, this Jose Cuervo Margarita Salt Container makes dipping the rim quick and easy.
This Zulay lime squeezer is the one I'd use for a batch like this.
For the pitcher, choose the size that works best for your refrigerator and how you like to serve. I keep a collection of pitchers I like on Amazon rather than recommending one exact size. A single large pitcher or drink dispenser works well, but two 64 oz. pitchers can be more practical: they may fit in the refrigerator door, are easier to lift, and make it easy to split the batch. A 1-gallon pitcher can work too—just make sure it fits your fridge and is comfortable to lift when full. The full recipe is about 70 oz. before ice, so leave extra room if you add ice directly to the pitcher.
These cactus margarita glasses are fun if you want the full party look.
Check out more drink recipes here!
✔️ Batch Margarita Pitcher Tips
- There aren't many ingredients in a margarita, so each one matters. Freshly squeezed lime juice makes the biggest difference—I can't stress that enough. Bottled lime juice just doesn't taste the same.
- For a single margarita, I like to shake it hard in a cocktail shaker. For a pitcher, no need—just add everything and stir.
- Add fresh lime slices to your pitcher as well as larger ice cubes. The limes look beautiful and larger ice cubes melt slower.
- On a hot day, crushed ice is great. For a true frozen margarita, blend the drink with ice until slushy.
Did you know? Margarita is Spanish for "daisy," and a Tequila Daisy was being written about as early as 1936. Cocktail historians suspect a connection, but the Margarita's exact origin is still debated.
Margarita Pitcher Questions
How long does a pitcher of margaritas last?
This recipe makes about 14 margaritas, or roughly 70 ounces before ice. Final serving volume depends on how much ice and dilution you use. For a group of 14, one batch gives everyone about one margarita; if you expect seconds, plan on making another batch.
What is the ratio of tequila to margarita mix?
For this homemade recipe, if by "margarita mix" you mean all of the other ingredients combined, the ratio is 2 parts tequila to 3 parts mix — or about 1 part tequila to 1½ parts mix. One margarita uses 2 oz. tequila plus 3 oz. of Cointreau, lime juice, and agave combined, for 5 oz. before ice.
If you’re using a bottled margarita mix, follow the directions on that product because sweetness and concentration vary by brand. A little dilution from ice is intentional and helps balance the drink.
Scaling Margarita Batches for a Crowd
The easiest way to scale this recipe is by ounces so the proportions stay exact. The 14-margarita batch in the recipe card is exactly 14 times the single serving.
| Margaritas | Tequila | Cointreau / Triple Sec | Lime juice | Agave | Total before ice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 14 oz. | 10.5 oz. | 7 oz. | 3.5 oz. | 35 oz. |
| 14 | 28 oz. | 21 oz. | 14 oz. | 7 oz. | 70 oz. |
| 28 | 56 oz. | 42 oz. | 28 oz. | 14 oz. | 140 oz. |
For the 14-margarita batch, those amounts are 3½ cups tequila, 2⅝ cups Cointreau or Triple Sec, 1¾ cups lime juice, and ⅞ cup agave.
Is triple sec or Cointreau better for margaritas?
Both taste similar and would work wonderfully in your margarita; however, I prefer Cointreau. If you want to read more, this might help.
Simply put, Triple Sec is ANY clear orange-flavored liqueur whereas Cointreau is a particular TYPE of triple sec that is better quality and higher alcohol content.
Margarita Variations
If you want to change up this recipe a bit, here are some ideas:
- Use mezcal instead of tequila. If you've never heard of mezcal before, it is similar to tequila but instead of smooth and sweet, it's smoky and savory.
- Add some chili powder to your salted rim for an added kick if you love heat.
- Muddle in some jalapenos or add some jalapeno syrup for a spicy margarita.
- Use lemons or even oranges instead of limes! Lemons will mimic the flavors more than orange but both would be delicious.
- Add strawberry syrup to make a strawberry margarita.
- Mix in a blender with ice to make a FROZEN version.
More Margarita FAQs
Traditionally, margaritas are served strong in margarita glasses like this one. They are not too large and are meant for one serving which can range from 8 oz to 16 oz.
Add ice to the pitcher just before serving and stir well. Serve over fresh ice if you prefer a little more dilution.
Although most restaurants serve huge margaritas, the standard amount is 6-8 ounces per serving.
Mexican Inspired Recipes To Serve With Your Margaritas!
Other Summer Cocktails You'll Love
Large Batch Margarita Pitchers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add lime juice, Cointreau, (Triple Sec), agave and tequila to a large pitcher, drink dispenser, or divide between two smaller pitchers and stir. The batch is about 70 oz. before ice. Add lime slices if desired. If making ahead, chill the batch without ice. Shortly before serving, add ice to the pitcher or serve over ice in each glass. A little dilution is part of a good margarita; avoid letting the pitcher sit on melting ice for too long.
- *Optional* Prepare your margarita glasses in advance by dipping the rim in lime juice (I like to use honey) followed by coarse sea salt or sugar.
- Fill margarita glasses with crushed ice and garnish with a lime wedge. Pour about 5 oz. of the prepared margarita into each glass. Enjoy!
- Add lime juice, Cointreau, (Triple Sec), agave and tequila to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds.
- *Optional* Wet the rim of your glass with lime juice or honey and dip into margarita salt.
- Pour the margarita into a glass filled with ice (preferably crushed). Garnish with a lime wedge and serve cold.
Nutrition
Notes
- For a little more dilution, stir with ice for a few minutes before serving, or serve over fresh ice.
- Use a lime juicer like this one here to help squeeze the juice FAST!
- Add fruit puree to make a fruit margarita.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Erin
This post isn’t working. I really need this recipe! I’ve used it twice and it’s the best but now nothing is coming up!!
AGT Editorial Team
I hope you saw that this was fixed! Thanks for letting us know!
Emma
Made these for a work party and WOO these turn out STRONG, had to go back and dump a bunch of lemonade in bc people kept telling me the drinks were good but WAAAY too strong for a work party 😂😂 SUPER delicious though and had everyone asking for the recipe 😉
Caroline Cox
Such a good recipe! Do you think it could be prepped ahead then put in the freezer?
Aleka Shunk
Yes!!