Press the edge of the glass in a plate of salt, then set it aside. Slice a notch in a lemon wedge, then swipe the lemon on the rim. Making a lemon margarita is no different than making a classic margarita. In this case, your margarita would technically be called a lemon margarita–but that’s only if you’re particular about it. Instead, you're more likely to have a bunch of lemons at home–so, can you make margaritas with lemon juice instead of lime juice? Given how similar these two pieces of citrus are, the answer is: yes. Can I Use Lemon Instead of Lime to Make a Margarita? Lime juice gives margaritas their signature tartness, which balances out the deep flavor of the tequila. It’s often used when making cocktails, and in margaritas, it’s usually added in as triple sec or Cointreau. Orange liqueur is a sweetened distilled spirit flavored with oranges. For example, a margarita with vodka (known as a “vodkarita”) is a popular alternative that many love for its smooth taste. If you don’t have that, you can also make the drink without tequila, swapping it for other spirits. Because it makes up most of the drink, it’s important to use authentic Mexican tequila with 100% agave. Tequila is the main ingredient of margaritas. The most basic recipe, however, only needs three things: Tequila There are several margarita variations, from frozen versions to fruit-flavored ones.

You’ll end up with a drink that’s more sour than usual, but that’s nothing some zero-calorie simple syrup from Skinny Mixes can’t fix! What Do You Need to Make a Margarita? But what if you don’t have limes–only a bunch of lemons? Luckily, with their similar flavor profile, lemons can take the place of limes when you’re making margaritas. You only need three ingredients to make a classic margarita: tequila, orange liqueur (triple sec), and lime juice.

Lemon margarita bottle