Love a classic margarita, but want to add a special twist for celebrating or New Year’s Eve? Then this champagne margarita is sure to be a new favorite! It’s all the classic citrus and tequila flavor you love, but with the addition of some festive bubbly!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bubbly Twist on a Classic – Champagne adds light fizz and elegance to the bold citrus-tequila combo you already love in a margarita!
- Perfectly Balanced – The bubbles soften the tart lime and tequila bite, making it smoother and more sippable
- Celebration-Worthy – It instantly feels festive, whether it’s brunch, a holiday party, or a special occasion toast
- Easy But Impressive – Minimal extra effort, maximum “wow” factor when serving!
- Great for Crowds – Simple to scale up for pitchers or punch bowls, making it party-friendly
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Ingredients List
- 1 ½ ounces tequila (blanco)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ½ ounce agave syrup (or to taste)
- 3 ounces champagne or prosecco
For the Rim (Optional)
- 1 Tbsp margarita or similar coarse salt
- ¼ tsp gold sanding sugar
- Fresh lime wedge
Pitcher Scaling (Serves 6-8)
- 1 ¼ cups tequila
- ½ cup fresh lime juice
- ½ cup triple sec (or another orange liqueur)
- ¼ cup agave syrup (or to taste)
- 1 ½ cups champagne or prosecco
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- A blanco or silver tequila is the best tequila with the balance of flavors in this margarita, but you can honestly use any type of tequila you like
- Fresh lime juice is truly best for flavor, but you can use bottled if absolutely necessary
- Triple sec is the common choice for orange liqueur in a margarita, but you can also use Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or a similar orange liqueur!
- Champagne is usually drier, while prosecco is sweeter, so use what you prefer (sparkling wine and cava also work fine). Use a rose champagne to make a pink champagne margarita!
- Feel free to add in fruit juices like cranberry, strawberry, or raspberry to change the color, adjust sweetness, and cut the alcohol a bit
- The agave can be swapped for simple syrup or honey if preferred
- I like a salt rim to balance sweetness, but you can opt for granulated sugar instead
- For an extra festive touch, add ⅛ tsp edible gold luster dust to your drink!
Step By Step Instructions
- Rim your glass by running the cut edge of a lime wedge around the outside to wet it. Then, dip the wet edge into a plate or shallow bowl that has the margarita salt mixed with the sanding sugar and turn to coat. Fill the glass with ice, or if you prefer to skip that, make sure to pre-chill your ingredients and glasses
- Add tequila, lime juice, agave, and triple sec (along with any edible glitter if you’re using some) to a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain the margarita mixture into your prepared glass
- Top with champagne or prosecco and gently stir to combine
- Garnish with a lime wheel if desired, and enjoy!
Frozen Variation
- Add all ingredients (champagne too) to a blender along with about 1 cup of ice
- Pulse until the mixture is slushy (add more ice to thicken if needed)
- Pour into prepared glass, garnish, and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Appetizers & Snacks
- Chips and Fresh Guacamole – Creamy avocado balances the margarita’s acidity and bubbles!
- Shrimp Cocktail or Ceviche – Bright, citrusy seafood echoes the lime while keeping things light. I love serving Shrimp Cocktail for New Year’s anyway!
- Queso Dip – Rich and salty cheese plays perfectly against the champagne’s fizz. Try my Air Fryer Queso for a perfect Cinco de Mayo pairing!
- Spicy Roasted Nuts – A little heat makes the drink feel even more refreshing
Main Dishes
- Grilled Fish Tacos – Champagne keeps things crisp while tequila complements the smoky fish!
- Chicken Fajitas – Savory, sizzling flavors pair well with the drink’s citrus-forward profile
- Street Corn (Elote) – Creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors mirror the margarita’s balance
Desserts
- Citrus Tart or Key Lime Pie – Citrus-on-citrus pairing that feels intentional, not overpowering, and is great for New Year’s too
- Churros with Cinnamon Sugar – Warm spice and sweetness contrast beautifully with the bubbly drink, for the perfect complement on Cinco de Mayo
- Fresh Fruit with Tajín – Simple, refreshing, and playful alongside the champagne margarita
Party-Friendly Pairings
- Taco Bar or Nacho Board – Easy grazing foods let the cocktail stay center stage
- Mini Quesadillas – Crispy, cheesy bites that won’t overpower the drink
- Fresh Salsa Trio – Variety keeps the pairing interesting sip after sip!
Recipe FAQs
What Is A Sparkling Margarita?
A sparkling margarita is a classic margarita made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, topped with champagne or sparkling wine for a bubbly finish. It’s lighter, brighter, and more celebratory than the traditional version.
Is Tequila And Champagne A Good Mix?
Yes, tequila and champagne pair surprisingly well. The citrus notes in tequila complement the acidity and bubbles in champagne, creating a balanced cocktail that feels refreshing rather than heavy.
What Is Tequila And Champagne Called?
Tequila and champagne together are most commonly called a Champagne Margarita or Sparkling Margarita. Some variations may also be labeled as a Tequila Royale or Tequila French 75 without the triple sec, and depending on the recipe and presentation.
Tips For the Best Champagne Margarita
- One fresh lime usually gives about 1 ounce of fresh juice for reference when scaling (though it can of course vary by size and variety of lime, so this is a general guideline)
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a mason jar with a lid works well as a substitution. If you have a blender, you can also make the frozen version I mentioned above instead!
- When using edible glitter, it will naturally settle as the drink sits, so make sure to stir it periodically to make it extra sparkly!
Serving and Presentation
- Glassware: Serve champagne margaritas in a coupe, champagne flute, or stemmed margarita glass to highlight the bubbles!
- Chill Everything: Cold tequila, citrus juice, and glassware help maintain fizz and reduce dilution from ice
- Perfect For Batches: Mix the tequila, citrus, and liqueur ahead of time, store in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then add ice, rims, and top each glass with champagne right before serving for maximum freshness
- Festive Touch: For holiday parties, serve with sugared cranberries, edible gold flakes, or citrus peels for a celebratory finish!
Final Thoughts
This champagne margarita recipe is the perfect New Year’s Eve cocktail, but it also works for other celebrations, like Cinco de Mayo, engagement parties, bridal showers, and more!
Bubbly champagne blends perfectly with the citrus and tequila notes of the classic cocktail, for a drink that feels special and celebratory, yet still delicious. You can customize it with different tequilas, bubbly, or even add fruit juices to make it your own!
Use up the rest of your bottle of champagne in some Champagne Jello Shots and you’re sure to be the party everyone wants to be at to ring in the New Year or celebrate. Cheers!
Champagne Margarita Cocktail Recipe
Servings: 1
This champagne margarita adds a bubbly twist to the classic tequila and citrus cocktail! Perfect for parties, New Year’s, Cinco de Mayo, and more!
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Champagne flute (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce triple sec
- ½ ounce agave syrup (or to taste)
- 3 ounces champagne or prosecco
- Ice cubes (optional)
For the Rim (Optional)
- 1 Tbsp margarita or similar coarse salt
- ¼ tsp gold sanding sugar
- Fresh lime wedge
Instructions
- Rim your glass by running the cut edge of a lime wedge around the outside to wet it. Then, dip the wet edge into a plate or shallow bowl that has the margarita salt mixed with the sanding sugar and turn to coat. Add ice to the glass, or if you prefer not to, make sure to pre-chill your ingredients and glasses1 Tbsp margarita or similar coarse salt, ¼ tsp gold sanding sugar, Fresh lime wedge, Ice cubes
- Add tequila, lime juice, agave, and triple sec (along with any edible glitter you want to use) to a cocktail shaker along with a handful of ice1 ½ ounces blanco tequila, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ounce triple sec, ½ ounce agave syrup
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain the margarita mixture into your prepared glass
- Top with champagne or prosecco and gently stir to combine3 ounces champagne or prosecco
- Garnish with a lime wheel if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- A blanco or silver tequila works well, but you can use any type of tequila you like
- Fresh lime juice is best for flavor, but you can use bottled if absolutely necessary
- Triple sec is the common choice for orange liqueur in a margarita, but you can also use Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or a similar orange liqueur!
- Champagne is usually drier, while prosecco is sweeter, so use what you prefer, or try a rose champagne to make a pink champagne margarita!
- The agave can be swapped for simple syrup or honey if preferred
- I like a salt rim to balance sweetness, but you can opt for granulated sugar instead
- For an extra festive touch, add ⅛ tsp edible gold luster dust to your drink!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 207g | Calories: 300kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 6.4mg | Potassium: 105mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 5.8IU | Vitamin C: 11.6mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.3mg
