Ingredients
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1 oz Blue Curacao
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Agave Nectar
- 1 cup Crushed Ice
- 1 Salt rim + frozen blueberries to garnish
Instructions
- Rim a margarita glass with lime juice and dip in coarse salt.
- Add tequila, blue curacao, lime juice, and agave to a blender with the crushed ice.
- Blend until thick and slushy, about 20 seconds.
- Pour into the rimmed glass.
- Garnish with a skewer of frozen blueberries. Sub-Zero approved.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Margarita itself has a somewhat hazy origin story, generally agreed to have emerged in the mid-20th century in Mexico or the southwestern United States. The frozen variation became widely popular in the 1970s with the invention of the frozen margarita machine, making slushy drinks accessible to the masses.
This Sub-Zero version is a direct descendant of the classic Margarita, belonging to the broader family of sour cocktails. It takes the familiar tequila, lime, and orange liqueur base and transforms it into a frosty, vibrant blue spectacle, separating it from its more traditional shaken cousins.
You'd typically find a drink like this at a beach bar, a poolside resort, or served at a lively summer backyard party. It's a vacation in a glass, designed for warm weather and good times, not for quiet contemplation in a dimly lit lounge.
What it tastes like
This drink hits you with a sweet and tart citrus punch, dominated by fresh lime juice and the distinct agave notes of tequila. The Blue Curacao adds a subtle orange sweetness and a hint of bitterness, rounding out the profile. It's intensely refreshing, with the ice mellowing the alcohol and creating a smooth, slushy texture.
This drink packs about 22% alcohol by volume. That's roughly four times stronger than your average 5% ABV beer, so treat it with respect. It goes down easy, but it's not water.
The technique
Building this drink is straightforward: rim your glass first, then load everything into a blender. You're aiming for a thick, slushy consistency, so don't be shy with the ice. A quick 20 seconds should do it. Pour immediately into your prepared glass to maintain that frosty texture.
The trick is to get it thick and slushy without over-blending and watering it down. A powerful blender helps get that ideal consistency quickly without turning it into a watery mess.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Tequila
- Use
- Blanco or Silver Tequila. Look for 100% agave options like Espolon Blanco, Olmeca Altos Plata, or Tapatio Blanco for a clean, vibrant base.
- Skip
- Añejo or Reposado Tequilas. Their aged flavors and colors will get lost and muddled in this frozen, colorful drink. Save them for sipping.
- Why
- Blanco tequila provides a crisp, unaged agave flavor that shines through the citrus and sweetness without competing with the Blue Curacao's color or flavor profile. It's the workhorse here.
Blue Curacao
- Use
- Reputable brands like Bols Blue Curacao, Senior & Co. Blue Curacao, or Giffard Blue Curacao. Quality matters for both color and flavor.
- Skip
- Cheap, syrupy blue liqueurs that are just food coloring and sugar. They lack the nuanced bitter orange notes that make Curacao distinct.
- Why
- Blue Curacao is essential for both the iconic color and the specific bitter orange flavor that defines a Blue Margarita. It's not just for looks; it's a key ingredient.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Frozen Mango
- Tropical twist
- Replace the Blue Curacao with mango puree and a splash of triple sec for a sunny, fruit-forward frozen drink. Skip the blue if you go this route.
Spicy Frozen
- Heat seeker's delight
- Muddle a few slices of jalapeño or serrano pepper with the lime juice and agave before blending. Strain out the solids if you prefer less heat.
Classic Margarita
- Original, on the rocks
- For a less slushy experience, shake all liquid ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Omit the blue curacao for a traditional look.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use white rum for a 'Blue Daiquiri' feel, or vodka for a neutral base. The flavor profile will shift, but it will still be a refreshing frozen drink.
You can use triple sec or Cointreau for the orange flavor, but you'll lose the blue color. For color, a tiny drop of blue food coloring can be added, but it won't add flavor.
Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) works perfectly as a substitute. Just use 0.5 oz of simple syrup to maintain a similar sweetness level.
You can shake all ingredients (except the crushed ice specified in the recipe) with regular ice, then strain over fresh crushed ice. It won't be as slushy, but it will still be cold and refreshing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Sub-Zero Frozen Blue Margarita?
A Sub-Zero Frozen Blue Margarita contains tequila, blue curacao, fresh lime juice, agave nectar, and crushed ice, typically garnished with a salt rim and frozen blueberries.
Why is it blue?
The striking blue color comes from Blue Curacao, an orange flavored liqueur. It's a common ingredient used to add both flavor and visual appeal to cocktails.
Is it strong?
Yes, this drink is fairly potent, coming in at around 22% ABV. It's significantly stronger than most beers, so enjoy it responsibly.
Can I make it less sweet?
Absolutely. Reduce the amount of agave nectar or omit it entirely if you prefer a tarter drink. You can always add a little more after tasting if needed.
Can I make it in advance?
Not really. Frozen drinks are best made fresh, as the ice will melt and dilute the drink if left sitting. You can pre-mix the liquid ingredients and chill them, then blend with ice just before serving.
What kind of tequila should I use?
Blanco or Silver Tequila is the best choice for this drink. Its clean, unaged profile allows the other flavors to shine and won't muddy the vibrant blue color.
What's the difference between a Blue Margarita and a regular Margarita?
The primary difference is the use of Blue Curacao instead of a clear orange liqueur (like Cointreau or triple sec). This gives the drink its distinctive blue color and a slightly different orange flavor profile.
Can I make a big batch?
Yes, you can scale the recipe to make a larger batch. Just multiply all liquid ingredients by the number of servings you need, then blend in batches with crushed ice as directed.
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