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Quick and Easy Pitcher of Margaritas for a Party

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Make this crazy easy pitcher of margaritas recipe for your next party! With fresh lime juice, tequila and Triple Sec you’ll get the cocktail classic flavor but easily serve a crowd. Sip your favorite tequila cocktail with friends in about 5 minutes!

A pitcher of margaritas on a table with two salt rimmed glasses in front of it with margaritas.
Let’s make this crazy easy pitcher of margaritas recipe!

Making margaritas by the pitcher is easy. But I’ll show you and even faster hack for making large-batch margaritas (sponsored by Sauza® Tequila) below.

This Easy Pitcher Margarita Recipe Your Friends Will Love

Whether you’re hosting a party or just having a few friends over, serving pitcher margaritas is the way to go. It feels celebratory and is one of my favorite tequila cocktails.

The recipe is super easy to follow and is refreshing and delicious. Plus, when you make large batches of cocktails, you can enjoy more time with friends instead of mixing drinks individually.

Related: Crazy Easy Margarita on the Rocks Recipe

All you need to do is rim the glasses with salt. But that’s only if you prefer it that way. I generally prefer them without salt. Or for a little extra flair, add a papel-picado esque straw flag!

Serving a signature drink, like this pitcher margarita recipe, keeps you from having to guess what kind of wine your guests like or have a full bar stocked and ready.

Ingredients

The ingredients to make large batch margaritas.
What you need to make margaritas by the pitcher.

The key to a delicious margarita is fresh lime juice and the perfect balance of flavors.

While I typically don’t like sweet cocktails, a little bit of simple syrup (or make your own simple syrup) will help you get that delicious flavor.

Use whatever type of tequila you prefer. I like to use blanco, but you can also use reposado if you like that flavor better. For brand suggestions read what I think is the best tequila for margaritas and beyond.

Sauza is a fine option, but we drank it all before shooting this updated recipe.

You don’t need to use something super expensive, especially because you’re using so much of it, but it should be something that you enjoy the flavor of.

Triple Sec is orange liqueur so it adds another layer of flavor. You can use Cointreau instead if you prefer but that costs more and in my opinion, doesn’t change the flavor all that much.

How to Make a Pitcher of Margaritas

woman adding tequila to a pitcher to make margaritas for a party.

Step 1

To a pitcher, add the tequila.

A woman pouring a measuring cup of Triple Sec into a pitcher for margaritas.

Step 2

Add the Triple Sec.

Woman adding fresh lime juice from a measuring cup into a pitcher.

Step 3

Add the fresh lime juice.

NOTE: If you run out of fresh or can’t find enough at the store (it happens!) you can use bottled juice to round out the measurement. But you would want it to be as much fresh lime juice as possible.

An even better option would be freshly pressed or squeezed lime juice which I found at HEB in Texas when I made a Margarita Board for a party!

Woman measuring simple syrup for a large batch of margaritas.

Step 4

Add the simple syrup.

If you’re like me, you can use less, then taste and adjust as needed.

Step 5

Stir and let sit in the fridge until ready to serve. I wouldn’t make a pitcher of margaritas too far in advance but within an hour of serving is fine.

NOTE: Don’t add ice to the pitcher as it will dilute the drink as it melts. I prefer to add ice to the individual glasses.

To Serve

Woman adding lime wheels to two glasses full of margaritas on a counter.

Rim the glasses with salt if desired.

Add ice to the glasses and pour a serving. Garnish with lime wheels.

Time-Saving Hack

how to make a pitcher margarita recipe

The recipe Sauza® Tequila sent me couldn’t be easier! It starts with Sauza® Signature Blue Silver Tequila which is made from 100 percent blue weber agave at their distillery in Jalisco, Mexico.

Then it’s paired with a delicious, tangy margarita mix. Boom. Two ingredients. Stir and serve.

A pitcher of margaritas is a great idea for summer entertaining or any other fiesta you plan on throwing! And this hack means this might be the perfect way to make margaritas for a party.

Look for a high-quality margarita mix for the best flavor!

When is Cinco de Mayo

I don’t usually celebrate Cinco de Mayo. But when Sauza® Tequila asked me to share their margarita hack, I was all in.

Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the date May 5th and that is when it is celebrated, by some, in America.

Cinco De Mayo History

It was also the perfect opportunity to dig a little deeper into the meaning of Cinco de Mayo. If you ask most people in Southern California what the Cinco de Mayo meaning is, they’ll probably say it is Mexican Independence Day.

But I’ve come to find out that is totally wrong. May 5th was the date in 1862, when the Mexican army managed to defeat the powerful French troops. It was no small task and is absolutely something to be celebrated.

“Cinco de Mayo has stood as a holiday reminding Mexicanos that even when odds are against us, we can still overcome them and come out ahead.” (Read my friend Pattie’s post about the history of Cinco de Mayo). I just wish more people know about this meaning!

That story reminded me of a Mexican proverb that I love, “Quisieron enterrarnos, pero se les olvido que somos semillas.” They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds. Ugh. So good.

So if you need an excuse to serve a pitcher of margaritas, Cinco de mayo is fine. I just hope you’ll share the meaning behind it with those you’re sipping with.

The story of the Mexican victory on May 5th, is one I will share with my kids and encourage them to celebrate. We all face hardships throughout our lives. But even when things seem stacked against us, we can rise up and overcome them.

Two salt rimmed glasses holding margarita and lime garnish next to a pitcher of margaritas on a table.

With these two recipes, you can make margaritas for parties and crowds with ease!

More easy margarita recipes

Browse my tequila cocktails in one place!

2 salt rimmed glasses holding margarita drinks next to a pitcher of margaritas on a table.

Pitcher of Margaritas Recipe

With fresh lime and delicious tequila, this easy recipe for making margaritas by the pitcher is tasty and ready to serve in about 5 minutes. Serves 16 if you use smaller cups or don't fill cups up all the way as I show them in the post).
4.50 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate Save
Course: cocktails
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 16 cocktails
Calories: 229kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a pitcher, add tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice and simple syrup.
  • Stir well.
  • Taste and adjust with more simple syrup if desired.
  • Pour over ice in glasses rimmed with salt (optional).
  • Garnish with a lime wheel.

Notes

Give the recipe a taste and add more fresh lime juice to suit your taste.
To easily make this a spicy margarita, muddle some sliced jalapeno or serrano peppers into the pitcher and let sit for about half an hour before serving. 
To make the recipe stretch to 16 servings, pour 3 oz servings. If you want a larger pour (um, hello – probably most of us) you will get less servings but still plenty for a crowd.

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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Sauza® Blue Tequila, 40% alc./vol. ©2017 Sauza Tequila Import Company, Chicago, IL

Sauza® is a trademark of Jim Beam Brands Co. (“Beam”) and is used with permission. The information, comments and ideas expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Beam, its affiliated companies or any of their directors or employees.

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17 Comments

  1. 4 stars
    I mean, if we’re making margaritas, we gotta make a pitcher. I’ve never just had ONE Margarita and called it a night.

  2. Annemarie LeBlanc says:

    4 stars
    That is a smart move! Making a pitcher of margarita would save you time and you’d be able to mingle with guests more. I’m totally sold on this idea that I will be doing this the next time we have guests over.

  3. Neha Saini says:

    This is a wonderful recipe for Margaritas on the Rocks by the pitcher-full! It is best to prepare the lime-lemon juice and zests mixture before hand to allow them to meld appropriately — Cooking time reflects refrigeration time. I discovered this in Cook’s Illustrated Magazine — just in time for summer! I have altered the ingredients to suit my personal taste. Enjoy!

  4. This is such a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I love how festive and decorative the pitcher looks. It is perfect for any gathering.

  5. I am totally coming over for Cinco de Mayo. I love margaritas and this is a quick and delicious way to make them with that mix, I Have had it before.

  6. Such a pretty and meaningful post! I’d love to come to your casa and talk about life. : )

  7. I like your presentation! The candies were a good idea and so was preparing plenty of margarita mixture for guests. I wouldn’t mind doing something like this for Cinco de Mayo or any other occasion.

    1. Thank you! I love to make large-batch cocktails so I don’t have to worry about it when gets arrive!

  8. You got a pitcher of margarita? What time’s the party? LOL! We love serving margarita (and, by default, tequila!) – everybody just loves them and has a great time.

  9. easy peasy recipe! love it. and thanks for linking to my post!

  10. 5 stars
    Those candies were my favorite too! Now I gotta go find some! Cheers!

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