How Many Calories Are in a Skinny Rita? Your Guide to a Lighter Margarita

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

While a classic restaurant margarita can pack 450 calories or more per serving, a homemade skinny Rita typically falls within the 100-150 calorie range, depending on ingredients. This lighter cocktail swaps out sugary mixers for fresh ingredients, providing a delicious and less guilt-inducing alternative.

Quick Summary

A skinny Rita contains significantly fewer calories than a classic margarita, with most recipes ranging from 100 to 150 calories. This calorie reduction is achieved by using fresh juices and minimal sweeteners, replacing high-calorie pre-made mixers and orange liqueurs.

Key Points

Low Calorie: A skinny Rita typically contains 100-150 calories, significantly less than a 300-450+ calorie classic margarita.
Key Difference: The reduced calories come from swapping high-sugar mixers and liqueurs for fresh lime juice, a small amount of agave or a zero-calorie sweetener, and often a splash of orange juice or bitters.
Ingredient Impact: Freshly squeezed lime and orange juice are critical for flavor and low calories, while using 100% agave tequila minimizes additives.
Simple Recipe: A basic skinny margarita includes 1.5 oz tequila, 1.5 oz fresh lime juice, 0.5 oz orange juice, and a minimal sweetener, shaken with ice.
Further Reduction: For an even lighter drink, substitute agave with a zero-calorie sweetener and top with sparkling water instead of juice.
Quality Matters: Opting for a quality 100% agave tequila improves the taste profile, as it is more prominent without a sugary mix to hide it.

A skinny Rita is a lightened-up version of the classic margarita, and its core appeal lies in its reduced calorie count. By focusing on fresh, natural ingredients, this cocktail offers a more refreshing and less sugary experience. The exact number of calories will vary depending on the specific recipe and portion size, but most well-crafted homemade skinny margaritas stay well below the 200-calorie mark, a substantial drop from their traditional counterparts. Understanding the ingredients and their caloric impact is key to enjoying this popular drink without sacrificing your health goals.

The Calorie Breakdown of a Skinny Rita

The low-calorie nature of a skinny Rita comes from a few key ingredient swaps. The primary components of a standard recipe are tequila, fresh lime juice, and a small amount of agave nectar or a zero-calorie sweetener. The absence of heavy, pre-made sweet and sour mix and high-sugar orange liqueurs like Triple Sec is the main reason for the calorie difference.

Core Ingredient Calories

Tequila: A standard 1.5-ounce shot of 100% agave tequila contains around 100 calories. The quality of tequila matters, as 100% agave versions often contain fewer additives that can increase calorie counts.
Fresh Lime Juice: The juice from a single lime, which is typically used, adds only about 8-10 calories and a burst of fresh flavor.
Agave Nectar (or Sweetener): A small amount of agave nectar, around 1 teaspoon, adds about 15-20 calories. Many recipes opt for a zero-calorie sweetener like Stevia or Monk Fruit to reduce this to near zero.
Orange Juice/Bitters: Instead of orange liqueur, some recipes use a small splash of fresh orange juice (around 10 calories) or a few dashes of zero-calorie orange bitters.
Sparkling Water/Club Soda: Topping the drink with sparkling water adds volume and effervescence for zero calories.

Calorie Comparison: Skinny Rita vs. Classic Margarita


Feature	Skinny Margarita	Classic Margarita (Pre-mix)	Classic Margarita (Orange Liqueur)
Tequila	1.5 oz Blanco Tequila (approx. 100 kcal)	1.5 oz Tequila (approx. 100 kcal)	1.5 oz Tequila (approx. 100 kcal)
Sweetener	1 tsp Agave Nectar (approx. 15 kcal) or 0-cal sweetener	4 oz Sweet & Sour Mix (approx. 180+ kcal)	1 oz Triple Sec (approx. 70-80 kcal)
Citrus	Fresh Lime Juice (approx. 10 kcal) + a splash of Orange Juice (approx. 10 kcal)	N/A (artificial flavors)	Fresh Lime Juice (approx. 10 kcal)
Other	Topped with Soda Water (0 kcal)	N/A	N/A
Estimated Total	~135-150 calories	~300-450+ calories	~180-200 calories
Key Difference	Uses fresh juices and minimal natural sweetener	Relies on high-sugar, pre-made mix	Uses orange liqueur, still higher in sugar

A Simple Homemade Skinny Rita Recipe

Making a delicious skinny margarita at home is simple and puts you in complete control of the ingredients. This recipe yields a refreshing cocktail with around 135 calories, based on standard ingredient counts. You can find excellent recipe variations from sources like Joyful Healthy Eats.

Ingredients:

1.5 oz 100% Agave Tequila
1.5 oz Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
0.5 oz Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
1 tsp Light Agave Nectar (or 1-2 packets of a zero-calorie sweetener like Stevia)
Ice
Lime wedge and salt for garnish (optional)
Splash of club soda (optional)

Instructions:

Run a lime wedge along the rim of a rocks glass and dip it in salt if desired.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and agave nectar (or sweetener) to the shaker.
Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.
Strain the mixture into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
Add a splash of club soda for extra fizz and garnish with a fresh lime wedge.

Tips for an Even Lighter Skinny Rita

For those aiming for the absolute lowest calorie count, a few adjustments can be made without sacrificing flavor:

Use Zero-Calorie Sweeteners: Replacing agave nectar with a zero-calorie option like Stevia, Monk Fruit, or Erythritol is the most significant way to reduce calories while maintaining sweetness.
Rely on Orange Bitters: Skip the orange juice and use a few dashes of orange bitters instead. This imparts the necessary orange essence for minimal to no calories.
Use More Sparkling Water: For a longer, more hydrating drink, increase the ratio of sparkling water to tequila and juice.
Control the Pour: Use a jigger to measure your tequila accurately. A heavy-handed pour can significantly increase the calorie and alcohol content.

Conclusion

When asking "how many calories are in a skinny Rita?", the answer depends on the ingredients, but it is clear that it is a far healthier option than its traditional, sugar-laden counterpart. By utilizing fresh juices, minimal natural sweeteners like agave, or zero-calorie alternatives, you can enjoy a flavorful and refreshing cocktail for a fraction of the calories. This simple, mindful approach to cocktail making allows you to have your drink and stick to your wellness goals, whether you're at home or out. The skinny Rita proves that you don't have to compromise on taste to make a smarter choice, offering a guilt-free way to savor a classic.

For more healthy cocktail recipes and tips on calorie reduction, consider exploring other resources like Verywell Fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the sugar content. A skinny Rita uses fresh fruit juices and a minimal amount of sweetener like agave nectar, or a zero-calorie alternative, instead of the high-sugar, pre-made sweet and sour mixes or sugary orange liqueurs found in classic margaritas.

Yes, a skinny Rita still contains alcohol. The base spirit, tequila, remains the same as in a classic margarita. The 'skinny' designation refers to the calorie reduction from the mixers, not the omission of alcohol.

You can reduce calories further by using a zero-calorie sweetener (such as Stevia or Monk Fruit) instead of agave nectar, opting for a dash of orange bitters instead of orange juice, and topping with zero-calorie sparkling water.

It is recommended to use 100% agave tequila, particularly a blanco or silver tequila. This ensures a cleaner, fresher taste, as the tequila's flavor is more prominent without the heavier mixers.

Classic restaurant margaritas often have a high calorie count due to large serving sizes and the use of pre-made, sugary mixes and high-fructose syrups. These mixers can add hundreds of unnecessary calories per drink.

Yes, you can easily turn a skinny Rita into a frozen version. Simply combine all the ingredients in a blender with extra ice and blend until it reaches your desired slushy consistency.

A skinny Rita can be keto-friendly if made with a zero-calorie sweetener. Pure agave tequila has no carbs, but some fresh lime juice and agave nectar contain carbohydrates. Using sparkling water and a zero-cal sweetener is the safest bet for a strict keto diet.

One teaspoon of agave nectar adds approximately 15-20 calories to a drink. While it is a natural sweetener, it still contains calories, which is why some low-calorie recipes opt for zero-calorie alternatives.