The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that men limit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks per day and women consume no more than one drink per day ( 7, 8).Ī standard drink is defined as 12 ounces (355 mL) of beer, 5 ounces (147 mL) of wine, or 1.5 ounces (44 mL) of liquor.

Consider using fresh or frozen fruit, skipping the agave and honey.įinally, using less tequila than the standard two ounces (59 mL) will reduce the number of calories from alcohol - and your alcohol intake. Fruit is naturally sweet, and it provides vitamins, minerals, and a some fiber. Or make a fruit-flavored drink, like a strawberry margarita, using real strawberries to sweeten the drink. You can learn about other sweetener options here. If you want to skip sugar all together, replace the orange liqueur or agave with another sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. Keep in mind that agave nectar and honey have about the same number of calories and grams of sugar. That nixes about 5 grams of sugar.Īnother option is to only use light agave nectar or honey in place of orange liqueur and skip the orange juice, saving another three grams of sugar. Try swapping an ounce (29.6 mL) of orange liqueur for a teaspoon (5 mL) of light agave nectar and an ounce (29.6 mL) of orange juice. Reducing the amount of sugar in your margarita is another way to make a healthier version. And depending on the restaurant, they may use a premade mix high in added sugars. Homemade margaritas are also healthier than restaurant margaritas, since restaurant portions tend to be much larger. It will likely have fewer calories and less sugar versus a premade mix. But there are ways to make a healthier version if you wish.įirst, try making a margarita from scratch at home. There’s no need to worry about occasionally indulging in a margarita. If you’re of legal drinking age and don’t have any health conditions that make alcohol particularly unsafe for you, it’s OK to enjoy a margarita on occasion - regardless of calorie count. While keeping an estimate in mind may help you stay on track with health goals, calorie counts aren’t always reliable, and it’s best to avoid thinking of nutrition as calories alone. Remember that calories are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to the nutritional value of the foods and beverages we consume. Ratios vary according to taste and preference.ġ oz (29.6 mL) Cointreau, 2 oz (59 mL) tequila, 1 oz (29.6 mL) fresh lime juice, ½ cup sliced strawberries Tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, orange juice (optional). Restaurants typically mix a premade, sweet and sour margarita mix with tequila.ġ oz (29.6 mL) Cointreau, 2 oz (59 mL) tequila, 1 oz (29.6 mL) fresh lime juice, blended with ice 1 oz (29.6 mL) Cointreau, 2 oz (59 mL) tequila, 1 oz (29.6 mL) fresh lime juice, poured over ice

Gloria margarita wine nutrition facts