Margaritas are a popular tequila-based cocktail typically made with tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. They are often served in restaurants and bars, especially Mexican establishments, and are also frequently made at home. But how much does a gallon of margarita cost? Let’s take a closer look.
What’s in a Margarita?
The classic margarita recipe calls for:
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
This makes one standard 4 ounce margarita. Restaurants and bars will often adjust the proportions to create their house margarita recipe, but this 2:1:1 ratio is the baseline.
To make a gallon of margarita, we need to scale up this recipe. There are approximately 128 ounces in a gallon. So to make a gallon of margarita, you’ll need:
- 64 ounces tequila
- 32 ounces orange liqueur
- 32 ounces fresh lime juice
How Much Does Tequila Cost?
When estimating the cost of a gallon of margarita, the price of tequila is the biggest factor. Tequila can range hugely in price, from cheap well brands like Jose Cuervo Gold that cost $15-20 per 750ml bottle, up to premium brands like Patron and Don Julio that cost $40-60 per bottle.
For a standard-quality tequila like Sauza Silver, a 750ml bottle costs around $25. Since we need 64 ounces of tequila for a gallon margarita, that’s equivalent to 8 and 2/3 750ml bottles.
At $25 per bottle, 8 bottles x $25 equals $200. Add in the extra 2/3 bottle at $17 and the total tequila cost is $217.
Tequila Cost for 1 Gallon Margarita
| 8 bottles tequila | $25 each | $200 |
| 2/3 extra bottle | $17 | $17 |
| Total | $217 |
Cost of Orange Liqueur
The orange liqueur is the second primary ingredient in a margarita. Typical orange liqueurs used include Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and generic triple sec. Prices can vary from $20 a bottle up to $40 or more.
Let’s estimate using a mid-range triple sec like DeKuyper, which costs around $10 for a 750ml bottle. We need 32 ounces of orange liqueur, equal to about 4 and 1/3 bottles.
At $10 a bottle, 4 bottles x $10 is $40. The extra 1/3 bottle is about $7. So the total orange liqueur cost for a gallon is $47.
Orange Liqueur Cost for 1 Gallon Margarita
| 4 bottles triple sec | $10 each | $40 |
| 1/3 extra bottle | $7 | $7 |
| Total | $47 |
Lime Juice Costs
For the best flavor, fresh lime juice is ideal for margaritas. Bottled and frozen lime juice can work too. The cost for fresh lime juice can vary depending on the season and where you live. On average though, a bag of 6-8 limes costs $2-3.
Since we need 32 ounces of lime juice, figure this will take about 8-10 limes at 2 ounces juice per lime. So two bags of limes at $3 each equals $6 total for the lime juice.
Lime Juice Cost for 1 Gallon Margarita
| 2 bags limes | $3 each | $6 |
| Total | $6 |
Total Margarita Ingredient Cost
Adding up the costs:
| Tequila | $217 |
| Orange liqueur | $47 |
| Lime juice | $6 |
| Total | $270 |
The estimated total ingredient cost to make a gallon of margarita is about $270.
Other Margarita Costs
In addition to the core ingredients, there are some other items that factor into the cost of a gallon of margarita:
- Cups/glasses – Margaritas are usually served in glasses, especially for large batches like a gallon. Plastic or disposable cups costs about 5-20 cents each depending on size and type.
- Straws/stirrers – Cocktail straws and stirrers cost 1-3 cents each.
- Napkins – Cocktail napkins are about 1-2 cents each.
- Garnishes – The traditional margarita garnish is a lime wedge or slice. The limes were already accounted for above, but extras for garnish would add a small cost.
- Rim salt – Kosher or margarita salt for rimming the glasses costs around $1-2 per box.
- Ice – Margaritas are shaken or blended with ice. Bagged ice can cost $2-3 for a 7-10lb bag.
These extra items add up to around $10-20 in additional costs for serving a gallon batch of margaritas.
Making Gallons of Margaritas for a Party
For a party or event, a gallon of margaritas may not be enough. Here are some tips for scaling up margarita batches for a crowd:
Estimate 8 ounces per person
As a general rule of thumb, plan on 8 ounces or 1 cup of margarita per person. Adjust up or down depending on how strong you want to make them and how much other beverages are also being served.
Make a margarita mix
For large events, make a pre-mixed margarita base, combining all the ingredients except the tequila. Then when it’s party time, just add the tequila as needed. This lets you control the potency and makes batching easier.
Batch the margaritas
Figure out how much margarita mix you need total, then divide it up into pitchers or drink dispensers for easy pouring during the party.
Use larger bottles
Buy 1.75L or even 3L larger format bottles of tequila and orange liqueur to bring down the per ounce cost.
Serve margarita cocktails
Offer some lighter margarita-based cocktails like palomas or margarita spritzers so people have choices.
Making Margaritas for a Crowd
Margaritas are a fun, flavorful cocktail that are perfect for parties, backyard BBQs, Mexican fiestas, and more. While a gallon serves around 16 standard margaritas, most events need much more. With some planning and batching, you can easily scale up to make margaritas by the pitcherful for a thirsty crowd!
Conclusion
In summary, the total cost to make a gallon of margarita is around $270 for ingredients, plus extras for serving supplies. This breaks down to:
- Tequila: $217 for 8 and 2/3 750ml bottles
- Orange liqueur: $47 for 4 and 1/3 750ml bottles
- Lime juice: $6 for fresh limes
- Extras like cups, garnish: $10-20
When making margaritas for a party, plan for 8 ounces per person, batch your mixes ahead of time, and buy larger format bottles to help control costs. With some planning and smart shopping, you can master the margaritas for your next fiesta!