Indulge in a refreshing and guilt-free cocktail with this easy Skinny Passion Fruit Margarita. Unlike a regular margarita, it contains only about 130 calories. A skinny margarita is a popular drink perfect for those looking for a low-calorie cocktail without sacrificing flavor.
A fruity twist to the classic cocktail, this easy skinny margarita recipe is made with only 5 simple ingredients (lime juice, tequila, passion fruit, a touch of triple sec, and zero-calorie monk fruit simple syrup).
It's fruity yet sophisticated. A flavor-packed drink if you are looking for a delicious and low calorie margarita passion fruit cocktail.
Jump to:
Let's start with what Passion Fruit is
Passion Fruit is a fragrant tropical fruit with a sweet, tangy, and tart flavor. It has a rugged, round, oval rind, typically purple or yellow. The fruit's flesh is yellow and jelly-like, with tiny, black crunchy seeds. Passion fruit seeds are edible and can be somewhat tart.
Passionfruit is one of my favorite fruits that I often use in my recipes, like this Brazilian Passion Fruit Caipirinha Cocktail, this indulgent Passion Fruit Flan or my decadent Passion Fruit Tiramisu.
I am using passion fruit concentrate in this recipe because fresh passionfruit is not always available in grocery stores, especially in the upper Midwest where we live.
The concentrate can be found in the frozen aisle of specialty and Latin foods stores. It works perfectly for this recipe due to its concentrated flavor, so a small quantity goes a long way. My favorite frozen passion fruit concentrate brands are Goya and Pitaya Foods. I like that I can find the Pitaya Foods brand at my local Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods stores, and it comes in tiny pre-portioned cubes, making it easy for recipes.
How to create the best skinny margaritas recipe for a light and delicious drink.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker (as a substitute, use a mason jar with a cover)
- Cocktail glasses
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger
- Saucepan (for making the simple syrup)
Margarita Ingredients and Substitutions
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
- YOUR BEST TEQUILA – tequila is the main ingredient in a Margarita. Choose high quality tequila labeled "100 percent agave". Premium tequila will elevate the taste and ensure a smooth finish. For a lighter version, replace the reposado tequila with Tequila Blanco, also known as Silver Tequila (Tequila Plata). I like the flavor of reposado for its caramelized notes. Still, Blanco tequila is the go-to for a traditional margarita because it blends seamlessly into citrus-based cocktails, and is said to be a healthier version. Ultimately, use your favorite tequila!
- TRIPLE SEC (or your favorite orange liqueur) - I still use triple sec for flavor but in a smaller quantity. The slight hint of orange enhances the perfume of the passion fruit, becoming a delicious blend of sweet and tart, finished with a late punch from the tequila. Triple sec can be substituted with orange juice.
- LIME JUICE - Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. Lime juice is a requirement in margaritas, so it should not be skipped. It provides a vibrant citrus taste that enhances the overall profile of the drink.
- PASSION FRUIT CONCENTRATE is more balanced and superior to passion fruit flavored liqueurs. It also creates a less alcoholic drink.
- MONK FRUIT SIMPLE SYRUP (recipe below) – adds a little sweetness. Adjust the sweetness level to your preference. Monk Fruit is twice as sweet as sugar; thus, a little bit is sufficient. See my sugar-free Monk Fruit Simple Syrup recipe.
- ICE CUBES
- LIME WEDGE for rimming the glass and lime slices for garnishing.
- SALT (Kosher salt, sea salt, or coarse salt) work well for rimming the glass.
Other Passion Fruit options that work for this recipe:
- Passion Fruit Pulp is everything inside the fresh fruit (flesh and seeds) extracted from the rind. If using fresh passion fruit pulp, double the amount called out in this recipe. ALPES Passion Fruit Pulp is a good option found online.
- Passion Fruit purée is the fruit's flesh without the black seeds.
- Passion fruit juice or Passion Fruit Nectar is typically made by blending passion fruit pulp with water and sugar. Use a little bit more since it has a lighter passion fruit flavor than the passion fruit concentrate called out in this recipe.
- Passion fruit syrup is made by cooking passion fruit juice, sugar, and water until lightly thickening. It can be used in this recipe instead of passion fruit concentrate, but it will add sugar and calories, making it no longer a skinny margarita. 😉
Instructions
Make the Monk Fruit Simple Syrup
Homemade monk fruit simple syrup is a fantastic addition to low carb drinks. It is the perfect alternative to store-bought syrups, artificial sweeteners, or the traditional simple syrup made with regular sugar. This simple recipe works great in skinny cocktails such as keto margarita recipes and low carb cocktails, making it a great choice for those following a keto or low carb diet. I call it the “skinny syrup!”
Simple Syrup Instructions
The key success in this recipe is the 2:1 ratio (2 part water and 1 part sweetener).
Step 1: Cook
- In a small saucepan, combine 2/3 cup of water and 1/3 cup of monk fruit sweetener and place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir the mixture until the monk fruit sweetener has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat. Do not boil.
Step 2: Cool and Store
- Let the syrup cool, transfer it to a glass jar or airtight container, and store it at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerating the syrup is not recommended as it may crystallize. Thus, make only what you need to avoid much leftover syrup.
- This simple syrup option is a great way to enjoy a sugar-free, zero-calorie sweetener. I do not follow a keto diet, but this syrup can be a fantastic option for keto cocktails. And it tastes just as good as syrup made with sugar!
For more tips on making this syrup, visit my full post
How to make Sugar-Free Monkfruit Simple Syrup.
Make the Margarita
Step 1: Prepare the Glass
- Begin by rimming your margarita glass with salt. Take a wedge of lime and run it around the rim of your glass.
- Pour salt onto a small plate, then gently press the rim of the glass into the salt to create a salt rim. I like adding lime or lemon zest to the salt for color and extra flavor.
Step 2: Mix the Margarita
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes (alternatively, use a glass jar with a cover)
- Add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, passion fruit concentrate, and monk fruit syrup to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to ensure all the ingredients are well combined and chilled.
Step 3: Serve and garnish
- Fill the salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the margarita mixture into the prepared glass directly over the ice.
Garnish ideas
Wedge of lime, lime wheel, sprig of mint or other fragrant herbs, passion fruit seeds (if available)
This Skinny Passion Fruit Margarita is the ultimate low-calorie cocktail that doesn't compromise on taste. It is a great drink to pair with your favorite tacos to celebrate Cinco de Mayo or simply enjoy the company of friends and family.
With its refreshing flavors and reduced calorie count, this skinny version is the perfect drink for those seeking a healthier option without sacrificing the enjoyment of a classic margarita.
Sip and savor the tropical flavors of this delicious and low-calorie margarita!
There you have it, the Perfect Passion Fruit Margarita!
Enjoy this Margarita with this Crostini Fig Jam appetizer
Flavor and Recipe Variations
- Add a splash of club soda or sparkling water to give your margarita a fizzy twist.
- Experiment with different fruit concentrates, such as mango or pineapple, for your spin on fruity margaritas and unique flavor combinations.
- Give it some heat! Make it a Spicy passion fruit margarita by muddling hot peppers, such as jalapeño slices.
- Make it a Hibiscus Margarita by substituting the passion fruit with a hibiscus syrup or hibiscus tea concentrate.
- Make it a Frozen margarita! Blend half a cup of crushed ice per drink. Add more ice to your preference.
Looking for a non-alcoholic and sugar-free mocktail recipe?
Omit the tequila or use a non-alcoholic tequila. Replace the triple sec with orange juice and enjoy a delicious Passion Fruit Margarita Mocktail.
Have a party?
Make-Ahead Instructions for a Pitcher of Passion Fruit Margaritas!
(12 servings)
- 2 1/4 cups of Tequila
- 3 ounces of Triple Sec
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of fresh-squeezed Lime Juice
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of Passion Fruit Concentrate
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of Monk Fruit Simple Syrup
Pitcher instructions
- In a large pitcher, stir all ingredients well and chill in the refrigerator (do not add ice, or it will dilute it!).
- When ready to serve, rim your margarita glasses with salt, fill with ice up to 3/4 full, and pour over your delicious homemade margarita mix!
Frequently Asked Questions about Margaritas
The biggest differences between a skinny margarita and a regular margarita are the calorie content and the use of added sugar.
A skinny margarita contains less alcohol and thus generally has fewer calories, with an average of around 100 to 150 calories per serving. A regular margarita can range from 200 to 400 calories per serving, depending on the size of the drink and the ingredients used.
Regular Margarita, Classic Margarita, and Traditional Margarita are used interchangeably to describe a margarita typically made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between skinny margaritas and regular margaritas:
Next time you're looking for a refreshing and delicious cocktail recipe, reach for this skinny passionfruit margarita! Better yet, no store-bought sugary pre-made mix is needed for this recipe! Making a fresh margarita at home allows you to customize the ingredients and proportions to make a drink tailored to your preferences and calorie needs.
A skinny margarita can have approximately 5-10 grams of net carbs for a single 4-ounce serving, depending on the specific recipe and serving size. This low carb margarita recipe contains around 9 grams of carbohydrates, unlike a regular margarita, which can start at about 15 grams of carbs. The carb content of a traditional margarita can also vary depending on the brand of orange liqueur and sweetener used. Using fresh ingredients and low-carb sweeteners like monk fruit or agave syrup helps reduce the carbs content.
Triple Sec is an orange-flavored liqueur commonly used in margaritas. However, you can replace it with alternatives such as fresh juices like fresh orange juice and pineapple juice, orange extract (orange flavor), orange zest, Grand Marnier or an orange-flavored liqueur of your choice.
The flavor of the margarita will be slightly different depending on the substitute used. For example, using orange juice will give the margarita a tarter taste, while using orange extract will provide it with a more concentrated orange flavor.
Some people prefer to use a combination of substitutes, such as using orange juice and orange extract together.
Here are some tips for choosing the best sugar alternatives for sugar-free margaritas. Remember that some of these can impart an aftertaste that will change the total flavor of your drink.
- Monk fruit sweetener (my favorite and used in this recipe) is a zero-calorie natural sweetener that doesn't have an aftertaste. It is a good choice for people looking for a sugar alternative that is both healthy and delicious.
- Light agave nectar or syrup is another good option for margaritas. It is a natural liquid sweetener that has less amount of calories than sugar. However, it does have a slight aftertaste that some people may not like.
- Stevia is a zero-calorie natural sweetener and a good option for margaritas. It is much sweeter, so you don't need to use it much. However, some people do not like the bitter aftertaste of Stevia.
- Sugar-free syrups are a good option for people looking for a pre-made sugar alternative that is easy to use. However, they can sometimes have an artificial taste that may not be desirable in a margarita.
Ultimately, the best sugar alternative will depend on your preferences. If you are still deciding which sugar alternative to use, you can always start with a small amount and adjust to taste. You can also experiment with different combinations of sugar alternatives to find the perfect flavor for your margaritas.
Yes! See my instructions above in the "Have a party?" section.
I hope this becomes one of your favorite cocktail recipes!
And please leave me a comment and a review!
And lastly, Salud! Cheers!
Other Latin Inspired drink recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
Some of my favorite dishes to serve with this margarita recipe:
Recipe Card
Skinny Passion Fruit Margarita Cocktail Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: n/a
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Refreshing and guilt-free Skinny Passion Fruit Margarita Cocktail. With only about 130 calories and under 5 minutes to make, this skinny margarita is perfect for those looking for a low-calorie drink without sacrificing flavor.
Equipment needed:
- Cocktail shaker (as a substitute, use a mason jar with a cover)
- Cocktail glasses
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger
- Saucepan (for making the simple syrup)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces of your best Tequila
- 1/2 ounce of Triple Sec or your favorite orange liqueur
- 1/2 ounce of fresh Lime Juice
- 1/2 ounce of Passion Fruit Concentrate
- 1/2 tablespoon of Monk Fruit Simple Syrup (recipe below)
- Ice cubes
- Lime wedge for rimming the glass and lime slices for garnishing
- Kosher salt, sea salt, or coarse salt for rimming the glass.
Instructions
Make the Monk Fruit Simple Syrup
The key success in this recipe is the 2:1 ratio (2 part water and 1 part sweetener).
Step 1: Cook
- In a small saucepan, combine 2/3 cup of water and 1/3 cup of monk fruit sweetener and place the saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir the mixture until the monk fruit sweetener has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat. Do not boil.
Step 2: Cool and Store
- Let the syrup cool, transfer it to a glass jar or airtight container, and store it at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigerating the syrup is not recommended as it may crystallize. Thus, make only what you need to avoid much leftover syrup.
Make the Margarita
Step 1: Prepare the Glass
- Begin by rimming your margarita glass with salt. Take a wedge of lime and run it around the rim of your glass.
- Pour salt onto a small plate, then gently press the rim of the glass into the salt to create a salt rim. I like adding lime or lemon zest to the salt for color.
Step 2: Mix the Margarita
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes (alternatively, use a glass jar with a cover).
- Add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, passion fruit concentrate, and monk fruit syrup to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to ensure all the ingredients are well combined and chilled.
Step 3: Serve and garnish.
- Fill the salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the margarita mixture into the prepared glass directly over the ice.
Notes
The Passion Fruit concentrate can be found in the frozen aisle of specialty and Latin foods stores. My favorite frozen passion fruit concentrate brands are Goya and Pitaya Foods. I use them in my Passion Fruit Flan and my Passion Fruit Tiramisu. I typically can find the Pitaya brand at my local Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods stores.
Other Passion Fruit options that work for this recipe:
- Passion Fruit Pulp is everything inside the fresh fruit (flesh and seeds) extracted from the rind. If using fresh passion fruit pulp, double the amount called out in this recipe. ALPES Passion Fruit Pulp is a good option found online.
- Passion Fruit purée is the fruit's flesh without the black seeds.
- Passion fruit juice or Passion Fruit Nectar is typically made by blending passion fruit pulp with water and sugar. Use a little bit more for this recipe since it has a lighter passion fruit flavor than the passion fruit concentrate called out in this recipe.
- Passion fruit syrup is made by cooking passion fruit juice, sugar, and water until lightly thickening. It can be used in this recipe instead of passion fruit concentrate, but it will add sugar and calories, making it no longer a skinny margarita.
Flavor and Recipe Variations:
- Add a splash of club soda or sparkling water to give your margarita a fizzy twist.
- Experiment with different fruit concentrates, such as mango or pineapple, for your spin on fruity margaritas and unique flavor combinations.
- Give it some heat! Make it a Spicy passion fruit margarita by muddling hot peppers, such as jalapeño slices.
- Make it a Frozen margarita! Blend half a cup of crushed ice per drink. Add more ice to your preference.
Have a party?
Make-Ahead Instructions for a Pitcher of Passion Fruit Margaritas! (12 servings)
- 2 1/4 cups of Tequila
- 3 ounces of Triple Sec
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of fresh-squeezed Lime Juice
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces) of Passion Fruit Concentrate
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of Monk Fruit Simple Syrup
(1) In a large pitcher, stir all ingredients well and chill in the refrigerator (do not add ice, or it will dilute it!)
(2) When ready to serve, rim your margarita glasses with salt, fill with ice up to 3/4 full, and pour over your delicious homemade margarita mix!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Margarita
- Calories: 129
- Sugar: 3.5 g
- Sodium: 1.1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.6 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
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