How many calories in a Skinny Margarita brand?

December 31, 2025 •

4 min read

Traditional margaritas can contain over 500 calories, making the allure of a lighter version hard to resist. For those watching their intake, understanding how many calories are in a Skinny Margarita brand is crucial for enjoying a guilt-free drink without sacrificing flavor.

Quick Summary

This guide compares calorie counts across popular skinny margarita brands and explains how factors like serving size and ingredients cause variability. Find out the differences between premixed options and homemade recipes to make informed beverage choices.

Key Points

Calorie Variation: The number of calories in a Skinny Margarita brand depends heavily on the specific product, with premixed options like Skinnygirl (100 cal/4oz) and Rancho La Gloria (90 cal/5oz) offering different serving sizes and formulations.
Serving Size Matters: Premixed options often have smaller stated serving sizes (e.g., 4oz or 5oz) compared to a typical bar pour, so read labels carefully to understand the total calorie load.
Homemade vs. Premixed: A homemade skinny margarita, made with fresh lime juice, tequila, and a minimal amount of agave or calorie-free sweetener, offers the most control and can be as low as 112-135 calories.
Ingredient Impact: Calorie reduction in skinny margaritas comes from replacing sugary mixers like triple sec with fresh lime juice, agave nectar, or zero-calorie artificial sweeteners.
Sweetener Type: Brands use different sweeteners, from natural agave (Skinnygirl) to artificial sucralose (Rancho La Gloria, Skinny Mixes), which impacts both calorie count and potential health considerations for some people.
Brand-Specific Counts: While there is no single answer, specific brands like Skinnygirl and Rancho La Gloria have consistent calorie counts per their stated serving size, unlike mixes where you add your own alcohol.

Understanding the Skinny Margarita

A "skinny" margarita is a low-calorie alternative to the classic cocktail, typically made by reducing or eliminating the sugar-heavy ingredients found in standard recipes, such as orange liqueur and sugary mixers. The calorie reduction comes from replacing these with fresh lime juice, less sugary sweeteners like agave nectar, or artificial alternatives. However, the exact calorie count is highly dependent on the brand and specific ingredients used.

Popular Skinny Margarita Brands and Their Calories

The market for premixed and mix-it-yourself skinny margarita products is diverse, with varying calorie counts and ingredients. Always read the label carefully and pay attention to the stated serving size, as this is a common point of confusion.

Skinnygirl Margarita

One of the most well-known brands, Skinnygirl offers a ready-to-drink margarita. A 4 oz serving contains 100 calories. The product is lightly sweetened with agave nectar and made with natural flavors. However, a 4 oz pour is quite small, so a typical cocktail size would be higher in calories.

Rancho La Gloria Skinny Margarita

Rancho La Gloria provides a wine-based, ready-to-drink skinny margarita. The classic lime flavor is 90 calories per 5 fl. oz. serving, with just 3g of carbs and no added sugar. It uses sucralose as a sweetener. This is a wine cocktail, not tequila-based, which contributes to its lower alcohol content and calorie count.

Skinny Mixes Margarita Mix

For those who prefer to add their own alcohol, Skinny Mixes offers a sugar-free margarita mix. The mix itself contains only 5 calories per 4 fl. oz. serving. This zero-sugar option relies on artificial sweeteners like sucralose. The final calorie count will depend entirely on the amount and type of tequila you add, as tequila contributes approximately 69 calories per ounce.

Homemade Skinny Margarita

Making a skinny margarita at home gives you complete control over the ingredients and calorie count. A simple recipe using fresh lime juice, tequila, and a touch of agave nectar can result in a delicious cocktail. For example, a recipe using 1.5 oz of tequila, 1 oz of fresh lime juice, and a small amount of agave can be around 112 calories. Using a zero-calorie sweetener or seltzer can lower this even further.

Comparing Your Skinny Margarita Options

To help you decide, here is a comparison of different skinny margarita options:


Option	Type	Calories per Serving	Serving Size	Key Sweetener	Notes
Skinnygirl	Ready-to-drink	100	4 fl. oz.	Agave Nectar	Tequila-based. Smaller serving size than typical cocktails.
Rancho La Gloria	Ready-to-drink	90	5 fl. oz.	Sucralose	Wine-based cocktail with low sugar.
Skinny Mixes	Cocktail Mix	~112+ (with 1.5oz tequila)	Varies	Sucralose	Calorie count is highly dependent on added alcohol.
Homemade	Made-from-scratch	~132 (with agave)	1 margarita	Agave Nectar or None	Ultimate control over ingredients and taste.

The Role of Sweeteners and Other Ingredients

The choice of sweetener is a primary factor in calorie variation. Traditional margaritas use triple sec and sometimes simple syrup, which are high in sugar. Skinny versions replace these with lower-calorie options. Natural sweeteners like agave nectar add some calories but are perceived as more natural, while artificial sweeteners like sucralose or monk fruit offer sweetness with virtually no calories.

Your tequila choice also affects the calorie count. Pure tequila contains about 69 calories per ounce. Higher-proof tequilas will have more calories per ounce, while fillers in cheaper tequilas can also add calories.

How to Reduce the Calories Further

Here are some tips to make your margarita even lighter without losing the great taste:

Use Fresh Squeezed Citrus: Fresh lime and a splash of orange juice offer a brighter flavor than processed mixes and prevent the need for additional sweetening.
Add Bubbly Water: To extend your drink without adding calories, top it off with sparkling water or club soda.
Control Your Sweetness: Start with a very small amount of agave or sugar substitute and add more to taste.
Opt for Quality Tequila: Higher quality, 100% agave tequila tends to be purer and better tasting, meaning you'll need less of it to get a good flavor.
Skip the Salt Rim: While delicious, a salt rim can contribute to a higher sodium intake.

Conclusion

There is no single answer for how many calories are in a Skinny Margarita brand, as it varies significantly depending on the product, serving size, and added ingredients. Ready-to-drink options like Skinnygirl and Rancho La Gloria provide convenient, consistently low-calorie choices, but attention to their specific serving sizes is essential. The most control and customization come from a homemade version, allowing for tailoring the sweetness and alcohol content to your personal preference. By being aware of these factors, you can make informed decisions and enjoy a delicious, lower-calorie margarita that fits your lifestyle. As with any alcoholic beverage, moderation is key.

A note on artificial sweeteners

Some skinny margarita brands use artificial sweeteners, which can have health implications for some individuals. For example, sucralose is used in Rancho La Gloria and Skinny Mixes. While the FDA considers them safe, some studies have raised concerns about long-term use and potential effects on gut health. It's always best to be aware of what you are consuming.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Skinnygirl margarita contains 100 calories per 4 fl. oz. serving. However, a standard cocktail glass is often larger, so the total calories in your drink may be higher depending on the serving size.

A Rancho La Gloria skinny margarita, a wine-based cocktail, has 90 calories per 5 fl. oz. serving.

Skinny Mixes' margarita mix is a sugar-free, non-alcoholic mixer with only 5 calories per 4 fl. oz.. The total calorie count will depend on the amount and type of tequila you add.

Skinny margaritas are generally lower in calories and sugar than traditional margaritas, which can contain 500 or more calories. The reduction in sugar and calories makes them a lighter option, though the healthiness depends on the ingredients, such as the use of artificial sweeteners.

Yes, many skinny margarita mixes, such as Skinny Mixes and Rancho La Gloria, use artificial sweeteners like sucralose to achieve their low-calorie and sugar-free profile. Other brands, like Skinnygirl, use agave nectar.

Yes, a homemade skinny margarita is easy to make and gives you full control over the ingredients. A simple recipe with fresh lime juice, tequila, and a minimal amount of agave or a zero-calorie sweetener can contain between 112 and 135 calories.

The taste difference often comes down to the sweeteners and ingredients used. Natural sweeteners like agave have a different flavor profile than artificial sweeteners. Ready-to-drink options may also use different natural flavorings compared to a simple, freshly made version.