Margaritas may not be the most complicated cocktail in the world, but that doesn’t stop these delectable drinks from being one of the most popular and most refreshing. Limited ingredients and simple production steps are actually a bonus, especially when all you’re looking to do is relax with a chilled drink in hand. What can make it even simpler? Having one of the best margarita machines on hand to take care of production for you. Sounds idyllic, right?
For many, there is no better drink of choice than the margarita. The range of treats for the senses in each glass set it apart from everything else. Whether you love the saltiness from the initial contact with the glass rim, the bitterness brought by the tequila, the sweetness from the liqueur or even the sourness from the lime, margaritas are a little party with every sip.
When it comes to creating the tastiest margarita, there’s a number of ways to go about it. Frozen or over ice? Flavored or original? One hard-to-beat preparation, especially on warmer days, is a frozen margarita. These alcohol-filled slushies are ideal for a day by the pool, chilling out with friends or just taking some time for yourself. The best margarita machines offer ready-to-pour cocktails at your disposal. All you have to do is decide on the style of ice and flavor.
The Best Margarita Recipe
Combine freshly squeezed lime juice, triple sec, a dash of salt and some high-quality tequila (or the cheap stuff if you’re on a budget), and in your hands, you hold a margarita, a.k.a. everyone’s favorite adult smoothie.
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Of course, the best margarita recipe is always up for debate. It comes down to personal preference, quality of ingredients and often how you feel at the time of drinking. However, we thought we’d try and get your creative juices flowing and mouth salivating with our favorite margarita preparation.
You may need to adjust the ingredient amounts relative to the capacity of your chosen margarita maker if you’re looking to share with friends. However, it’s worth remembering that a little variation is unlikely to result in an undrinkable drink (probably advisable to show caution with the salt, though). Here’s a recipe to get you started:
1. Throw these ingredients together in a shaker filled with ice.
- 2 ounces of your chosen tequila
- 1/2 ounce of triple sec (orange liquor)
- 1/2 ounce agave syrup
- 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice
2. Shake until mixed and chilled.
3. Strain and serve.
4. Present the drink in a salt-rimmed glass with ice and add a lime wheel garnish if you’re feeling particularly fancy.
5. Enjoy. We told you it was easy!
Below you’ll find 15 favorite margarita machines for creating the ideal frozen drink. The list includes versatile at-home blenders, which can be used to create margaritas in addition to performing a number of other kitchen tasks. You’ll also find several machines built solely for the purpose of making margaritas, which are ideal kitchen or man cave additions. There are even a couple of industrial-sized options, which are great for super memorable parties.
1. Margaritaville DM0500 Bahamas Frozen-Concoction Maker
BEST OVERALL
If having friends or family unexpectedly drop by is a situation you’re more than familiar with and a cocktail in hand is the only way it could get better, consider investing in the Margaritaville DM0500 Bahamas Frozen-Concoction Maker. The user-friendly device delivers 450 watts of power to shave or blend just the right amount of ice to produce 36 ounces of your favorite cocktail. Simply at the ice, place the flavor-filled pitcher in place, and watch as cocktail-ready ice pours into the jug. Handily, the maker includes numerous dishwasher-safe parts for a faster clean-up afterward.
2. NutriBullet High-Speed Blender and Mixer System
MOST POPULAR
With over 16,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the NutriBullet High-Speed Blender and Mixer System is a popular and versatile answer to your frozen cocktail needs. The device comes with a number of cup options, including a handled cup and a larger, 24-ounce cup, letting you choose the right option for you. The NurtiBullet is a great option for users who love a healthy smoothie during the week and a cocktail to relax with on the weekend.
3. Ninja Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender
BEST BLENDER
While not technically an out-and-out margarita machine, that doesn’t stop the Ninja Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender from being a top choice. It’s more than capable of concocting your favorite slushed drinks as well as a whole host of other delights including smoothies, sauces, dips and sides. The device uses 1000 watts of power to competently cut through vegetables, whole fruits and even ice. The blender set, which is backed by over 22,000 five-star ratings, also comes with a handy recipe guide to get your creative juices flowing.
4. Ninja Blender and Food Processor
MOST VERSATILE
If you want to blend, chop, blitz and more, the Ninja Blender and Food Processor is the choice for you. In addition to creating delicious cocktails using the one-touch pulsing mechanism, you’ll also be able to make a range of other drinks and foods with this versatile device. It’s supplied with two conveniently sized jars to choose from, namely a 16-ounce chopper bowl or a 48-ounce pitcher. The pitcher also includes a splash guard and easy-flip pour spout for easy sharing between friends, too.
5. Bartesian Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine
FANCY PICK
The Bartesian Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine makes creating delicious cocktails as simple as preparing your coffee in a Keurig. Simply insert your chosen cocktail capsule, select your desired strength and then press the button. The smart device auto cleans itself after every creation to prevent flavors from affecting each other. The necessary capsules, which are sold separately, 100% recyclable, crafted by mixologists and come in a range of flavors, including margarita, cosmopolitan and long island iced tea.
6. Margaritaville Bali Frozen Concoction Maker
BEST COCKTAIL RANGE
With a designated setting for margaritas, daiquiris, coladas and general smoothies, the Margaritaville Bali Frozen Concoction Maker provides tailor-made cocktails on demand. The party-ready, 60-ounce capacity device incorporates an advanced re-mix channel that precisely measures and dispenses individual servings. Simply press against the lever and enjoy the beverage dispensed into your glass, without the need for a bartender. In addition, the blend and shave levers let you pick between your cocktail consistencies.
7. Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker
BEST FOR HOUSE PARTIES
The Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker makes three 24-ounce pitchers full of your favorite frozen drink every cycle. Not only does the three-pitcher-style device look cool as the ice chute rotates, but its design also means you can offer your guests a range of drink types with ease. In addition to margaritas, this versatile drink device can create coladas, mojitos, daiquiris and more. Each option can be selected by spinning the built-in dials, helping ensure your party is loved by everyone. The classic design is sure to bring that margarita feel to any party, whether it’s in the middle of summer or the dead of winter.
8. Nostalgia Margarita & Slush Maker
BEST GIFT IDEA
The Nostalgia Margarita & Slush Maker makes a great gift idea for friends or family who love nothing better than relaxing with a margarita in hand. This compact, 64-ounce device uses a stainless steel blending cage to shave ice down to just the right consistency for delicious margaritas, daiquiris as well as other slush drinks. It’s available in either red or green and features a detachable cup rest/drip tray and wipeable surfaces to ensure post-use cleaning is quick and simple. Additionally, the easy-flow spout distributes the product at just the right speed for comfortable glass filling, ensuring you never spill any of the good stuff.
9. Nostalgia SM32RR Slush Drink Maker
EASIEST TO CLEAN
By incorporating a removable tank, cup rest and drip tray in the design, the Nostalgia SM32RR Slush Drink Maker is easily cleaned after the fun’s been had. The 32-ounce capacity drink maker is a great option for parties, family get-togethers or simply for afternoons spent chilling in the sun. The smart design includes a multi-opening lid, which allows you to add ingredients to your mix as and when they are required. Furthermore, the three-way switch lets you choose between three functions, namely dispensing, freezing and being switched off.
10. Hamilton Beach Wavestation Blender
BEST FOR PERSONAL COCKTAILS
With its built-in tap, the Hamilton Beach Wavestation Express Dispensing Smoothie Blender is at the pique of convenience when it comes to dishing out a personal drink. It uses 500 watts of power and a revolutionary wave action system to ensure your drink is smooth and mixed. The device also offers four different speeds and a pulse option. The 48-ounce jar is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning, and the device comes in a choice of black or red.
11. homgeek Professional Blender
BEST FOR DRINKS WITH FRIENDS
With its sizable 70-ounce pitcher, the homgeek Professional Blender is all about making enough to share with friends. It boasts a variable speed control and a pulse function, putting you in control of your creations. The large Tritan pitcher is also free from BPA and dishwasher safe for a quick post-cocktail cleanup. In addition to making great cocktails, this versatile blender can also create a range of dishes, including smoothies, butters and more.
12. Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker
BEST OVERALL
If you’re after a device that is focused on making the best frozen cocktail possible, look no further than the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker. This well-reviewed device has five-star reviews from over 70 percent of users and includes a 36-ounce blending jar to ensure there’s plenty of cocktails to go around. Whether you want margaritas, daiquiris or any other frozen cocktail, this easy-to-use device boasts 450 watts of power for shaving and blending so your drink is always lump-free. There are also automatic and manual blend options and an easy-pour jar for easy distribution once your drink is ready.
13. Little Snowie 2 Ice Shaver
BEST FOR FAMILIES
With over 900 five-star reviews and top marks from over 90 percent of users, the Little Snowie 2 Ice Shaver is a gift for the whole family. While the device is great for creating the shaved ice you need for refreshing margaritas, it can also create snow cones to keep the little people happy. Simply load ice cubes straight from the freezer into the ice hopper and enjoy finely shaved, fluffy ice in a matter of seconds. The device comes with a range of flavored syrups to try as well.
14. Margarita Girl Single-Bowl Frozen Drink Machine
BEST FOR HOME PROFESSIONALS
If you want a margarita machine that looks like it means business but isn’t at the level for commercial use, the Margarita Girl Single-Bowl Frozen Drink Machine fits the bill. This high-capacity device creates up to 25 cups of frozen drink at one time and includes an easy-pour spout for quick and precise beverage distribution. It runs off a 1/5 HP air-cooled compressor which allows for consistency control while protecting from over freezing. Furthermore, the whole machine is constructed from high-quality materials including stainless steel and high-impact plastic.
15. Margarita Girl Double-Bowl Frozen Drink Machine
BEST UPGRADE
If you think your houseguests would prefer more choices when it comes to the flavor of their margarita or frozen slush drink, you may want to side with the Margarita Girl Double-Bowl Frozen Drink Machine. By including two bowls in the design, you can offer twice the variety. Just like the single-bowl version, this well-reviewed drink machine runs off a 1/4 HP air-cooled compressor while being constructed from high-quality materials. Handily, the smart design and individual controls allow you to run a single bowl for a 25-cup maximum, instead of the double-bowl capacity max of 50 cups.
