This Bourbon Margarita is a riff on a classic margarita cocktail, where bourbon replaces tequila. If you enjoy a citrusy whiskey sour, you’ll love this cozier version of a margarita!

A bourbon margarita on a wooden coaster

Easy Whiskey Margarita Recipe

Ahhh, margaritas. I love ’em.

Traditionally made with tequila or mezcal, I’m always up for a fun variation (such as one with bubbles, a margarita with prosecco). This Bourbon Margarita is my latest riff on a classic margarita!

With this variation, I swap tequila for bourbon, which adds a bit of warmth with its caramel and oak undertones. It’s just the thing to take this classic summer cocktail perfectly into fall and winter. If you like a whiskey sour, I guarantee you’ll fall in love with this bourbon whiskey margarita.

This cocktail is super easy to make at home. I can whip up 2 of them up in just 5 minutes. And if you want to serve these for a larger gathering, I’ve included easy big-batch margarita instructions as well!

Bourbon margarita ingredients

What You’ll Need

This easy bourbon cocktail recipe is made with just 5 ingredients. And it’s quick and easy to prepare. Scroll down to the recipe box for measurements.

  • Bourbon – Bourbon replaces tequila in this riff on a margarita cocktail. It adds warmth with its caramel and oak notes, perfect for fall and winter. Any good-quality bourbon that you already like to drink will work well in this drink.
  • Orange liqueur – Orange liqueur adds a subtle acidity, plus bright sweetness. I prefer Cointreau or Grand Marnier in my margaritas, but a good-quality Triple Sec would also be great.
  • Freshly squeezed orange & lime juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is a classic addition to margaritas. I’ve added a splash of orange juice as well, which enhances the flavor of the orange liqueur and pairs perfectly with bourbon. Freshly squeezed juices are a must here. And I’m totally in love with my new citrus press (affiliate link), it works SO FABULOUSLY!
  • Honey – Honey adds a touch of sweetness to the margarita. Feel free to leave it out, add more, or swap it for simple syrup or maple syrup if you prefer. I like to use a local brandy-barrel-aged honey, a collaboration between Minnesota’s Bare Honey and Tattersall Distilling – delightful! (This specific honey is not necessary for this cocktail, I just really like it!)
Angled view of a whiskey margarita

Recipe Variations

Here are a few ways you can switch up your margarita with bourbon:

  • Use another whiskey. You can make this drink by using rye whiskey or any other whisk(e)y you enjoy drinking.
  • Make it spicy. Do you like a spicy margarita? Then muddle a few slices of jalapeno in the bottom of the glass.
  • Switch up the rim. Instead of a salt rim, try adding a spicy tajin rim or even a sugar rim if you want something on the sweeter side.
  • Use a different sweetener. In place of honey, you can use agave, simple syrup, or pure maple syrup.
A bourbon margarita on a wooden coaster

Can I Use A Margarita Mix?

While technically you could use a margarita mix to make your bourbon margarita, I don’t recommend it. I find premade mixes to be overly sweet and without authentic citrus flavor. If I’m going to drink a margarita, I want it to be a good one!

Besides that, it really only takes a little extra time to prepare a margarita from scratch. And I enjoy the process!

How to Salt a Margarita Glass Rim

Salting the rim of this margarita is optional but easy to do if you’d like. Here’s how.

  • Wet the glass rim. Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glasses, so the salt has something to stick to.
  • Dip into salt. Quickly dip the rim into a small dish of coarse salt. Just go up and down, do not twist the glass.
A bourbon margarita on a wooden coaster

How to Make a Bourbon Margarita

This margarita with bourbon comes together in just 5 minutes.

  • Salt the rim (optional). See the directions above.
  • Combine the ingredients. Add bourbon, orange liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, and honey to a cocktail shaker, and whisk to fully incorporate the honey.
  • Shake the cocktail. Add ice to the shaker, cap it tightly, and shake vigorously for 45 seconds to perfectly chill and dilute the drink.
  • Serve. Strain the margarita into 2 glasses over cubed or crushed ice. Garnish with lime wheels and enjoy!
A hand reaching for a whiskey margarita

Can I Make This For a Crowd?

Are you hosting a larger gathering? You can easily make a big batch of these bourbon cocktails. Here’s how to make a pitcher (8 servings) of bourbon margs!

  • Combine the ingredients. To a small/medium-sized pitcher, add 1½ cups bourbon, ¾ cup orange liqueur, ½ cup lime juice, ½ cup orange juice, and 2½ tablespoons honey. Whisk briskly to fully incorporate the honey.
  • Chill. Add a couple big handfuls of ice and then stir everything vigorously for a full 45 seconds, to chill and dilute.
  • Serve. Strain the margarita mixture into glasses over cubed or crushed ice. Garnish with lime wheels and enjoy!

More Bourbon Cocktail Recipes:

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A bourbon margarita on a wooden coaster

Bourbon Margarita

Yield: 2 cocktails
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This Bourbon Margarita is a riff on a classic margarita cocktail, where bourbon replaces tequila. If you enjoy a citrusy whiskey sour, you’ll love this cozier version of a margarita!

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces bourbon
  • 1½ ounces orange liqueur
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 1 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons honey, or to taste
  • 2 lime wheels, optional garnish

Instructions

    1. (Optional) For a salted rim, run a lime wedge around the rim of 2 glasses and dip the wet rims into coarse salt.
    2. Add the bourbon, orange liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, and honey to a shaker and whisk to incorporate the honey.
    3. Add ice to the shaker and cap the top. Shake vigorously for a full 45 seconds, to perfectly chill and dilute the drink.
    4. Fill prepared glasses with cubed or crushed ice and strain the margarita into the glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Nutritionix. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.

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A bourbon margarita on a wooden coaster