:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KateDingwall-966ef87dec3f4a10b9b1010c1887b66a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Margarita-Machines-5113679-af834c8e1aa1444886bb1afb972ce617.jpg)
The Spruce Eats / Amelia Manley
If you make margaritas or other frozen cocktails for others regularly, the Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker can make large batches to meet your needs. If you only make the blended cocktail once in a while, try the versatile Ninja Mega Kitchen System, which has many other uses.
With a perfect combination of sweet, salty, sour, and tequila, many argue that the margarita is an absolutely perfect drink. Plus, you can tweak it to your needs. Do you like spice? Muddle in some peppers. Add mezcal for a smoky finish or peach for a fruitier appeal. You could even blend your margarita with ice for a resort-ready refreshment from the comfort of your kitchen.
You could do this with a blender, but a margarita machine will churn out restaurant-quality tropical drinks with ease. These handy devices take the work out of mixing a margarita. Simply pour your ingredients in and press go. All that’s left is to sit back and dream of warm sunshine and a light breeze on a beach.
Here are the best margarita machines.
Best Overall: Margaritaville Key West Frozen Concoction Maker
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/81cbqYxAZdL._AC_SL1500_-b5cc8ba924874abcad0e19f82ad9abe3.jpg)
Amazon
Excellent for shaved ice
Easy to use
Quick to clean
Expensive
Larger to store
Who else recommends it? Delish, BestReviews, and Best Products all picked the Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker.
What do buyers say? 86% of 2,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
Who better to trust with margaritas than Jimmy Buffett himself? The "Margaritaville" singer is behind this surprisingly excellent range of margarita machines, though the Bahamas unit is a crowd favorite. It's built with everything you need to mix up minimal-effort margaritas. At the top of the unit are a mounted ice reservoir and ice-shaving blade. The bottom features a 36-ounce blending jar.
Functions include a shave and blend cycle, manual blend cycle, and shave-only cycle, giving you the ability to customize your ice. Whichever you pick, the premium shaved ice blender produces uniform ice with no chunks or big ice cubes. Better yet, all parts are dishwasher-safe.
For those who need a little guidance when building drinks, there's an option to add on a 54-ounce shatter-proof mixing bowl inscribed with the measurements you need to make a margarita or piña colada, including markers for rum, tequila, triple sec, and juice. Thanks to this, no additional measuring cups or jiggers are required.
Price at time of publish: $300
Jar Capacity: 36 ounces | Ice Reservoir Capacity: 1 pitcher | Weight: 16.1 pounds | Wattage: 400 watts | Measurements: 9.9 x 15.7 x 21.2 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
Best High-Volume: Margarita Girl Single-Bowl Mini-Sized Margarita Drink Machine
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MargaritaGirlSingle-BowlMiniSizedMargaritaDrinkMachine-1f5dbd2425aa47109a3403fd2e234b82.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
High capacity
Keeps drinks frozen
Works for a variety of frozen drinks
Surprisingly easy to clean
Takes 40 minutes to produce cocktails
Expensive
Great for making a big batch of margaritas, Margarita Girl’s commercial machine turns out 25 cups of the frozen drink at a time. This machine is specifically designed for volume, made with high-impact plastic and stainless steel panels, and a quiet 1/5 HP air-cooled compressor to keep drinks at a consistent temperature. Despite being a heavy-duty commercial option, it’s surprisingly easy to clean.
Margarita Girl’s unit works with both packaged drink mixes and your own home recipes. Just note that in order to properly blend in this machine, your cocktail mix needs to have a higher sugar content. If you’re looking for low-sugar options, this machine isn’t ideal. That said, it includes a two-year warranty backed by service centers around the U.S.
Price at time of publish: $749
Bowl Capacity: 1.6 gallons | Ice Reservoir Capacity: N/A | Weight: 40 pounds | Wattage: 550 watts | Measurements: 12 x 10 x 20 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No
Best for Multiple Flavors: Margaritaville Tahiti Frozen Drink Machine
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MargaritavilleTahitiFrozenConcoctionMaker-6fab694528fe42cab4ecf61fdc2e80ab.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Craft a variety of drink flavors
Six automated drink settings
Louder than the average blender
Replacement pitchers are unavailable if one breaks
This 72-ounce Margaritaville machine pours directly into three independent 24-ounce blending stations combined for an impressive 700 watts of blending and shaving powers. To top it all off, a rotating ice chute at the top of the machine adds a bit of flair. It spins from one pitcher to the next while blending.
Use the Tahiti unit to craft large batches or make a range of margaritas via the various blending stations and six automated drink settings. Beyond different flavors, like strawberry, mango, and jalapeño, this machine is also capable of making daiquiris, coladas, mudslides, mojitos, and smoothies.
Price at time of publish: $660
Jar Capacity: 72 ounces | Ice Reservoir Capacity: 144 ounces | Weight: 30 pounds | Wattage: 700 watts | Measurements: 20 x 20 x 20 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No
Best Budget: Nostalgia Taco Tuesday Electric Lime Juicer & Margarita Kit
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2021-02-22at2.15.28PM-8e87357683004934ad6d210ca1a08a61.jpg)
Courtesy of Kohl's
Pulp control
Blender doubles as a pitcher
Includes salt rimmer and juicer
Includes built-in measurement markings
Clunkier than other options
No blender included
At an affordable price point, Taco Tuesday’s two-in-one juicer and margarita machine can make a host of blended drinks. The 32-ounce unit is specifically designed for easy happy hours. There’s a built-in lime juicing cone (there are two interchangeable sizes), salt and sugar rimmer, and serving pitcher, plus four 8-ounce margarita glasses. It also boasts a useful pulp control filter that lets you customize the amount of pulp in your drink: Choose between large, small, or no pulp at all.
The mixing pitcher also includes built-in measurement markings that allow you to mix your cocktail right in the vessel. Once your additional ingredients are mixed in, pop off the pitcher and use it to dispense your margaritas into the included glasses.
Note that while this margarita maker has a built-in electric juicer, it does not have a blender, so you won't be able to make fully frozen drinks using the pitcher.
Price at time of publish: $25 for Electric Juicer Pitcher
Jar Capacity: 32 ounces | Ice Reservoir Capacity: 144 ounces | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Wattage: 25 watts | Measurements: 13.82 x 7.48 x 6.5 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (top rack)
Best Design: Nostalgia Margarita & Slush Machine
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NostalgiaMargaritaSlushMachine-7bc8263ab81044cebcc4a90f2ccfaf15.jpg)
Courtesy of Amazon
Durable
Transportable
Great aesthetics
Very loud
Blending can be inconsistent
While this one blends margaritas just as well as any option on the market, it does so with stylish vintage flair. It shaves the ice, which makes it different from a regular blender. The nostalgic, retro-inflicted baby blue machine pulls inspiration from vintage soda shop designs and holds an impressive full gallon of frozen drinks.
The handle on top makes it easy to tote the machine around. Bring it to your living room or porch and refill your glasses without getting up. The double-wall construction keeps your drinks cold for hours. The unit dispenses via an easy-flow spout—just flip the spigot and fill your glass. Roughly 35 drinks can be made per cycle, and when you're done, the cord wraps underneath the unit.
Price at time of publish: $99 for Aqua
Jar Capacity: 1 gallon | Ice Reservoir Capacity: N/A | Weight: 10.65 pounds | Wattage: 200 watts | Measurements: 10 x 12 x 19.25 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: No
Most Versatile: Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NinjaBL770MegaKitchenSystem-7e97d47686084602a155ae36459528ac.jpg)
Amazon
Quick performance
Versatile
Blades are detachable
Includes two travel cups
Not specifically a margarita maker
Creates a more blended, smoothie-like margarita
Although it's not a dedicated margarita machine, this is an excellent option for making blended cocktails and holds an impressive 72 ounces of liquid. Beyond drink-mixing, Ninja’s Mega Kitchen System is a versatile kitchen workhorse. Use it for all your blending needs, like making salsas, sauces, smoothies, tahinis, batters, and more.
This 1500-watt blender makes quick work of all ingredients. There are four dedicated blending speeds. If you want a chunkier drink, pulverize slower. If you want a fine, smoothie-like margarita, opt for a higher speed.
Included with the base and pitcher are an 8-cup food processing bowl, two to-go cups with lids, and a 30-recipe guide for meal inspiration. All parts are BPA-free and come apart for easy cleaning via the dishwasher.
Price at time of publish: $200 with 2 Nutri Ninja Cups + Lids
Jar Capacity: 72 ounces | Ice Reservoir Capacity: N/A | Weight: 5.75 pounds | Wattage: 1500 watts | Measurements: 9.5 x 8.25 x 17.75 inches | Dishwasher-Safe? Yes
Best Small: Hamilton Beach Personal Blender with Travel Lid
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/blender-614220390bc04ceead124009e0e32f56.jpeg)
Walmart
Compact
Quiet
Easy to clean
Versatile
Not heavy-duty
Not made specifically for margaritas
Looking for a personal-sized blender? Hamilton Beach’s teeny machine can make shakes and more in a snap. Its compact design makes it easy for storing or bringing to your next beach getaway. If you’re a smoothie fanatic, you can even store it at the office. Though it’s on the smaller side, the 14-ounce jar and lid can make two to three margaritas at once.
Outside of margaritas, it makes smoothies, marinades, salad dressings, and salsas. It’s not as heavy-duty as other blenders on the market, but for the price, it does its job well. As for design, it comes in black, blue, raspberry, red, or white colors. All pieces come apart and are dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $23 for Black
Jar Capacity: 14 ounces | Ice Reservoir Capacity: N/A | Weight: 2 pounds | Wattage: 175 watts | Measurements: 3.5 x 3.5 x 11.5 inches | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (parts)
If you’re a die-hard margarita fan, the Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker was specifically crafted to make excellent, large-batch blended drinks. If you’re an occasional margarita sipper, consider a unit that's more versatile, like the Ninja Mega Kitchen System.
What to Look for When Buying a Margarita Machine
Blending Capability
A good margarita machine will blend a margarita to the texture you desire and always provide a uniform blend. There should be no unexpected ice chunks that pop up and clog the straw or float in the margarita. While some people like their margaritas chunkier than others, you want a machine that blends consistently and dependably, no matter whether you want your drink smooth or chunky.
Capacity
How much do you need that margarita machine to make? Do you want a blender that can make one or two drinks at a time, or are you looking for one to cover a number of people at a party? There are personal-sized blenders, and there are ones that can make up to 25 cups or more at a time. Know the parameters of what you want when looking at these machines.
Ease of Making
Do you feel comfortable measuring out the ingredients in a jigger or measuring cup? Or do you want a machine that has the measurements marked already on the mixing bowl? Keep this in mind as you peruse and select the one that fits your needs.
Versatility
In looking for a margarita machine, consider what other options it can do. It's your decision whether you want one that makes only smooth, slushy margaritas for you to enjoy; or if you want one that is a multitasker that you can put to work making smoothies, salsas, marinades, shakes, and salad dressings.
FAQs
How much tequila do you need for a margarita machine?
A general rule of thumb is 1.5 ounces per person or per drink. Feel free to lower or raise that amount depending on personal preference. If you're batching large recipes, do the math. Measure out your ingredients and multiply it by the number of people you’re serving.
How do you clean a margarita machine?
The best options available come apart easily and can be popped in the dishwasher, although many machines do require a hand scrub to remove scum.
Do you need margarita mix for a machine?
While a great margarita mix is a direct path to delightful cocktails, it's not required. If you’re looking to make margaritas from scratch, measure out your ingredients (lime juice, tequila, and triple sec) for the amount you’re making. That said, using a margarita mix will make cocktail hour easier since there’s no need to buy separate ingredients or measure them out.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ease of use, material, or price—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Kate Dingwall is a freelance writer whose work focuses on food, drinks, and travel. She is based in Toronto and holds a Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level III qualification.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/sharon-lockley-c2d26108386c409e87a1f324184ab31c.jpeg)
:strip_icc()/best-celebrity-cookware-pieces-6755292-36aa5e5898cb42d28abf31ba632406c4.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-EATS-8-best-personal-blenders-4072910-recirc-8f524b2779874e00ba330de090436e66.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Kitchen-Gadgets-4174050-104a9773af8b4f029e6b660cf39c5158.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-EATS-8-best-citrus-juicers-4843483-recirc-a30c2a3ad2ca4c3b8ba4dfaf9bd426af.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-high-end-coffee-makers-5185003-58fd677921d14dd8b6d08fe34bc5a0b8.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Espresso-Machines-Under-100-765535-f6862260e0454c83b4e8b027ee6e5528.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Web_1500-SpruceEats-VItamixGroup-2868-TamaraStaples-cc66ab03e93f4de6b6e451ef6e529021.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-mini-food-processor-5113631-9966788150734468bf3c65c4509b03ce.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-EATS-10-best-espresso-machines-4118539-primary-cb190631d99f48e58e8e4f5873ee163d.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Pastry-Blenders-5118220-9664ad6e76284adfa8322de00096ddf5.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-EATS-10-best-espresso-cappuccino-machines-4128791-recirc-4893f5680bdf4eb492be5c9d18aecc30.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-EATS-9-best-electric-skillets-4796851-primary-772ac5123d624d85929329a15787b834.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Small-Kitchen-Appliances-5116047-c56fd6ea75934db6802f23a2c5cb1876.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-EATS-7-best-juicers-4064657-recirc-d4d13551983d40b79190578b5322f45a.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-blenders-to-buy-4062976-SpruceEats-Primary-DD-10126ed0790b47388c59ed3c082852d7.png)
:strip_icc()/Web_1500-Spruce-Eats-Spruce-Eats-Bread-makers-Group-tamara-staples-588-cf44859060f449fc9f755fd15160106e.jpg)