Refreshing Guava Lime Margarita Recipe

Meet your new favorite happy-hour sip: a guava lime margarita that tastes like sunshine in a glass. It’s sweet-tart, irresistibly juicy, and so easy to shake up at home. If you love classic margaritas but want something brighter and fruitier, this one hits the sweet spot without turning syrupy.

I reach for this recipe whenever I want a refreshing drink that feels a little special. Fresh lime juice keeps it zesty, guava brings tropical vibes, and a salt (or Tajín) rim ties it all together. Make one for yourself, or scale it up for a party pitcher—either way, it’s a crowd-pleaser.

Why This Guava Lime Margarita Works

• Balanced flavor: Guava adds gentle sweetness, lime brings brightness, and tequila delivers backbone—no single note takes over.
• Fresh ingredients: Real lime juice makes the difference. Bottled juice can taste flat and harsh.
• Simple technique: Shake, strain, sip. No blender required unless you prefer it frozen.
• Customizable sweetness: Adjust simple syrup to taste or skip it if your guava nectar runs sweet.
• Bar-quality at home: A salted rim, proper ice, and a quick shake give you that polished finish.

Ingredients

• 2 oz blanco tequila (clean, crisp; choose a 100% agave bottle)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 large lime)
• 1.5 oz guava nectar or puree (nectar for smooth, puree for fuller body)
• 0.5 oz orange liqueur (Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier)
• 0–0.5 oz simple syrup (optional; adjust to taste based on guava’s sweetness)
• Ice (cubed for shaking; fresh and hard is best)
• Coarse salt or Tajín (for the rim)
• Lime wheel or wedge (for garnish)
• Optional garnish: thin slice of fresh guava or a small mint sprig

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker (or a mason jar with a tight lid)
• Jigger or measuring spoons
• Fine-mesh strainer (optional but helpful if using guava puree)
• Rocks glass or coupe
• Small plate for rimming salt

How to Make a Guava Lime Margarita

1. Prep the glass: Run a lime wedge around half the rim of your glass. Dip it into salt or Tajín. Filling only half the rim gives you a choice with every sip.
2. Measure and pour: Add tequila, lime juice, guava nectar, orange liqueur, and simple syrup (if using) to the shaker.
3. Add ice and shake: Fill the shaker with ice. Shake hard for 12–15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.
4. Strain: Add fresh ice to your glass. Strain the margarita over the ice. Double strain if you used a thicker guava puree and want a silkier texture.
5. Garnish and serve: Add a lime wheel or wedge. Sip immediately while it’s frosty and bright.

Pro Tips

• Sweetness check: Taste your guava first. Many nectars come pre-sweetened, so you might not need any simple syrup.
• Shake, don’t stir: Shaking chills, dilutes, and aerates—key for a light, refreshing texture.
• Good ice matters: Use fresh, solid cubes. Hollow or melty ice over-dilutes and waters down flavor.
• Salt selection: Use coarse kosher salt or flaky salt. Table salt tastes too aggressive.

How to Store Guava Lime Margaritas

• Short-term (up to 24 hours): Mix the tequila, guava, lime, and orange liqueur in a sealed jar and refrigerate. Don’t add ice until serving.
• Make-ahead pitcher: For 8 drinks, combine 2 cups tequila, 1 cup lime juice, 1.5 cups guava nectar, 1/2 cup orange liqueur, and 0–1/2 cup simple syrup. Chill. Shake individual portions with ice to serve, or stir over a large cube in each glass.
• Freezer option: Store the base (no ice) in the freezer up to 1 month. Alcohol keeps it slushy; shake before pouring.
• Leftovers: Keep chilled and use within 24–48 hours for best flavor. Citrus fades over time.

Benefits of Choosing a Guava Lime Margarita

• Fresh, bright flavor: Lime keeps it zesty while guava brings tropical sweetness, so every sip feels lively.
• Approachable for guests: It’s fruit-forward without turning cloying—great for mixed crowds.
• Flexible sweetness: You control the sugar. Balance to your palate or the brand of guava you use.
• No specialty tools required: A jar, some ice, and a strainer get the job done.
• Easy to scale: Works beautifully as a batch cocktail for parties or barbecues.

What Not to Do

• Don’t skip fresh lime: Bottled lime throws off the balance and dulls the drink.
• Don’t over-sweeten: Taste before adding syrup. Guava often carries more sugar than you think.
• Don’t use cheap mixto tequila: Choose 100% agave for clean flavor and a smoother finish.
• Don’t over-dilute: Shake briefly and serve immediately. Letting the drink sit on melting ice mutes flavors.
• Don’t rim the entire glass: A half rim lets you enjoy both salted and unsalted sips.

Variations You Can Try

• Spicy Guava Margarita: Muddle 2–3 thin jalapeño slices in the shaker. Shake and strain as usual. Rim with Tajín for extra kick.
• Frozen Guava Margarita: Blend ingredients with 1–1.5 cups ice until slushy. Use nectar for smooth blending and add a touch more lime to brighten.
• Smoky Mezcal Twist: Swap half the tequila for mezcal for a subtle campfire note that pairs beautifully with guava.
• No-liqueur Option: Skip the orange liqueur and add 0.25 oz fresh orange juice plus a tiny splash of agave syrup.
• Pink Peppercorn Salt Rim: Crush pink peppercorns into flaky salt for a floral, peppery rim.
• Coconut Guava Margarita: Add 0.5 oz coconut water for a lighter, beachy finish; increase lime by 0.25 oz to keep balance.

FAQ

Can I use reposado tequila?

Yes. Reposado adds subtle vanilla and oak notes. It tastes slightly richer than blanco but still delicious with guava and lime.

Is guava nectar the same as guava juice?

Not always. Nectar usually tastes thicker and sweeter. Juice runs lighter and less sweet. Adjust simple syrup based on what you use.

How do I make simple syrup?

Combine equal parts sugar and hot water. Stir to dissolve, cool, and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

What if I don’t have a shaker?

Use a mason jar with a tight lid. Add ice, shake hard, and strain through a fine sieve or the jar’s lid gap.

How do I salt the rim neatly?

Moisten the outside edge with a lime wedge, then dip lightly into a shallow plate of salt. Avoid wetting the inside rim to prevent clumps falling into the drink.

Can I make it non-alcoholic?

Absolutely. Replace tequila with sparkling water or a zero-proof tequila alternative and skip the orange liqueur. Add a splash of fresh orange juice for that citrusy depth.

Conclusion

This guava lime margarita brings bright citrus, tropical sweetness, and just the right edge of tequila in every chilled sip. Keep the ingredients simple, use fresh lime, and shake with good ice—you’ll taste the difference. Whether you go classic on the rocks, spicy with jalapeño, or frozen for a blender treat, you’ll have a refreshing cocktail that’s easy to make and even easier to love. Cheers to a glassful of sunshine.

Refreshing Guava Lime Margarita Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Prep the glass: Run a lime wedge around half the rim of your glass. Dip it into salt or Tajín. Filling only half the rim gives you a choice with every sip.
• Measure and pour: Add tequila, lime juice, guava nectar, orange liqueur, and simple syrup (if using) to the shaker.
• Add ice and shake: Fill the shaker with ice. Shake hard for 12–15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.
• Strain: Add fresh ice to your glass. Strain the margarita over the ice. Double strain if you used a thicker guava puree and want a silkier texture.
• Garnish and serve: Add a lime wheel or wedge. Sip immediately while it’s frosty and bright.
• Sweetness check: Taste your guava first. Many nectars come pre-sweetened, so you might not need any simple syrup.
• Shake, don’t stir: Shaking chills, dilutes, and aerates—key for a light, refreshing texture.
• Good ice matters: Use fresh, solid cubes. Hollow or melty ice over-dilutes and waters down flavor.
• Salt selection: Use coarse kosher salt or flaky salt. Table salt tastes too aggressive.