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Home » Drinks » Cocktails » Bourbon & Whiskey Cocktails

Bourbon Margarita

Published: Jan 4, 2022 · Modified: Feb 14, 2024 by Ali

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Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more details.

This easy bourbon margarita is just like a regular margarita but with a whiskey twist. Made with bourbon, cointreau, lime juice and a dash of agave. Then shaken and served on the rocks in glass with a salted rim.

Bourbon margaritas on white and wooden coasters, with a wooden board with limes in the background.

Bourbon makes some great cocktails, such as this bourbon rosemary cocktail, this pear bourbon cocktail, this blood orange whiskey sour, this blackberry smash, or this pineapple old fashioned.

It also makes a delicious, unique margarita. For other tasty margaritas, try this guava margarita, this Amaretto Margarita or this spicy mango margarita.

Jump to:
  • Why this is the best whiskey margarita
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • FAQ
  • Expert Tips
  • 📖 Recipe
  • Other cocktail recipes
Up close view of a whiskey margarita on a marble coaster, with a bottle of whiskey in the background.

Why this is the best whiskey margarita

  • It makes a great Cinco de Mayo drink. Margaritas are popular on Cinco de Mayo. But if you don’t like tequila based drinks, this whiskey version is perfect for you.
  • It’s an all-season drink. Bourbon drinks are generally good in winter as well as summer and this one is no exception.
  • It has the perfect balance of flavors. It’s easy for bourbon to overpower everything else. But in this recipe, bourbon complements the lime and Cointreau perfectly.

Ingredients

Overhead view of the ingredients needed to make the cocktail.
  • Bourbon: Use your favorite medium quality bourbon. Save the fancier, top shelf whiskey for drinking on the rocks.
  • Cointreau: If needed, you can substitute this with Triple Sec, but Cointreau has a smoother taste that works best for these margaritas.
  • Lime juice: Only use freshly squeezed lime juice. Bottled lime juice doesn’t add the same, fresh flavor.

Instructions

Run a slice of lime around the edge of the margarita glass. Then dip the rim in salt.

Add the bourbon, Cointreau, lime juice and agave to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well, strain and serve.

Overhead view of a margarita made with whiskey, on a table scattered with lime slices and salt.

FAQ

Can I add whiskey to margarita mix?

Although it would be easier to add whiskey to margarita mix, it just doesn’t taste the same. It is worth it to make your own whiskey margarita from scratch.

Can you make a margarita without a shaker?

If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar. Add all the ingredients and a handful of ice to a mason jar, close the lid and shake well. Then strain and serve.

Bourbon margarita on a white and wooden coaster, with course salt scattered on the table, and a wooden serving board in the background.

Expert Tips

  • For a stronger drink, use less agave. Some people will prefer a much stronger, bourbon drink. If that’s the case, decrease the amount of agave by half.
  • If salting the glass edge with coarse salt, use agave. Sometimes, agave works better to hold large, coarse salt crystals on a rim. Dip part of the rim in agave, then immediately press it into the salt. Repeat all around the edge of the glass, then set the glass upside down on a paper towel for 10 minutes to dry.
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📖 Recipe

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Bourbon margarita on a white and wooden coaster, with a wooden board with limes in the background.

Bourbon Margarita


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 6 reviews

  • Author: Ali
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This easy bourbon margarita is just like a regular margarita but with a whiskey twist. It’s the perfect drink for any time of year.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 oz bourbon
  • ¾ oz Cointreau
  • 1 ½ oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 oz agave syrup
  • Salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Run a slice of lime around the edge of a margarita glass and dip it in salt.
  2. Add the bourbon, Cointreau, lime juice, agave syrup and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well for 5-7 seconds until the outside is frosted. Strain and serve into the prepped margarita glass, filled with fresh ice. Enjoy responsibly!

Notes

  • For a stronger drink, use less agave. Some people will prefer a much stronger, bourbon drink. If that’s the case, decrease the amount of agave by half.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 247
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 3mg
  • Fat: 0.2g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35.1g
  • Fiber: 0.3g
  • Protein: 0.2g
  • Cholesterol: 0g

Leave a comment if you tried this recipe!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ann

    December 05, 2023 at 3:06 pm

    Located in Kentucky I'm a bourbon girl who loves adding a twist to any classic drink. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Dina and Bruce

    December 05, 2023 at 2:01 pm

    This was the perfect cocktail for some of our friends that love Bourbon. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Nathan

    December 05, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    I never would've thought to use bourbon to make margaritas! Very excited to try this, thanks for the recipe 🙂

    Reply
  4. Terry

    November 10, 2023 at 6:53 pm

    As written it is a VERY sweet drink. If that’s what you want, go for it. If you want more the classic margarita balance of sour/sweet, alcohol forward, go with the classic 2:1:1. 2oz Bourbon, 1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice, 1/2 oz Cointreau, 1/2 oz simple.

    Reply
  5. Elena

    May 29, 2023 at 10:01 pm

    Saved the recipe and will make it on the weekend for friends. Love the addition of bourbon.

    Reply
  6. Cara Campbell

    May 29, 2023 at 6:12 pm

    I love the classic, but honestly, I'm a bourbon girl. This recipe was perfect!

    Reply

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Ali in a white tank top wearing sunglasses, with trees with yellow leaves in the background.

Hi, I'm Ali! Full-time nurse, lifetime foodie. Join me as I create, eat and drink the most delicious brunch, cocktail & dessert recipes! More about me —>

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