A margarita is tequila, lime juice, and triple sec. Tequila lemonade is, well, tequila and lemonade. The difference is about five fewer minutes and one fewer ingredient, and that’s about it.

Lemon works with tequila differently than lime does. It’s softer, slightly sweeter, and less sharp. The drink still has the citrus backbone you want from a tequila cocktail, but thanks to the lemonade’s sugar, it’s a bit smoother.

The tequila

100% agave tequila blanco has the mineral, grassy quality you love, and it comes through against lemonade without going flat.

The lemonade

If you can, fresh-squeezed lemonade will taste better. Tequila is assertive and can handle a tart lemonade, which means you do not have to worry about the drink being too sour. Keep the sweetness restrained, so the agave flavor has room.

Honesty, I love making my own lemonade using lemons from my trees (when they are ripe) because I can control the sweetness. Most store-bought lemonade has way more sugar than anyone needs to be drinking.

If you do need to use store-bought lemonade, add a squeeze of fresh lemon to sharpen it before pouring.

Salt rim

If it intrigues you, the salt rim transforms this drink. The salt brings out the sweetness in both the lemonade and the tequila. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it in coarse salt before making the drink.

Don’t want salt? No problem, check out our cocktail garnishes guide.

The 3-Ingredient Upgrade: Citrus Lift

Add a salted rim and half an ounce of fresh lime juice before topping with lemonade. The lime and lemon together add a more complex citrus layer. With 100% agave blanco tequila, this version is close-ish to a fresh margarita without triple sec.

A citrus juicer makes the lime addition fast enough that it stops being an extra step.

Mocktail Version

Mix together fresh lemonade with a salted rim, a squeeze of lime, and a splash of sparkling water in a tall glass with ice. The salt rim does the same in the non-alcoholic version as it does in the cocktail.

A non-alcoholic tequila with some agave character gives you something closer to the original.

Glassware

A highball glass works just fine. A lowball glass with a big ice cube makes it a slightly more boozy cocktail if you pull the ratio back to 2 oz tequila and 3 oz lemonade. I have both highball glasses and lowball glasses in my glassware cabinet, so I always have options.

Tequila cocktails to try next

• Prickly Pear Margarita
• Cactus Cooler Collins
• Spiced Apple Cider Margarita

More 2-Ingredient Tequila Cocktails:

• Paloma (Simple)
• Tequila Cola
• Tequila Lemonade
• Tequila Pineapple
• Tequila Soda
• Tequila Sprite
• Tequila Sunrise (2-Ingredient)
• Tequila Tonic
• Tequila Watermelon

Tequila Lemonade

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila (100% agave)
• 4 oz lemonade (fresh-squeezed preferred)
• Coarse salt, for rim (optional)
• Lemon wheel, for garnish

Instructions

1. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip in coarse salt if using.
2. Fill the glass with ice.
3. Add tequila.
4. Top with lemonade and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Citrus Lift (3-Ingredient Version)

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila (100% agave)
• ½ oz fresh lime juice
• 4 oz lemonade
• Coarse salt, for rim
• Lemon wheel or lime wedge, for garnish

Instructions

1. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of a highball glass and dip in coarse salt.
2. Fill with ice.
3. Add tequila and lime juice.
4. Top with lemonade and stir gently.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel or lime wedge.