Beergarita (a.k.a.Bad idea) – the perfect summer cocktail
, Updated Jan 18, 2021
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Meet your new favourite drink – The Beergarita (a.k.a Bad Idea)! This ultra refreshing cocktail marries a Margarita with ice-cold beer – perfect for summer sipping.
Love Margaritas? You must try this Pinterest award-winning recipe or the Ultimate Cadillac Margarita!
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I came up with the Bad Idea late one summer after having a particularly terrible, horrible no good, very bad day. Little did I know that my genius idea of combining a classic Margarita cocktail with ice-cold beer is actually an established drink… a Beergarita!
What’s in a name
When I first made this, in a bad tempered frenzy, my husband walked in the room and, spotting the tequila bottle, said “this is a really bad idea”. The name stuck!
But this refreshing cocktail is an absolutely excellent idea, whatever you choose to call it. Beergaritas are the perfect Cinco de Mayo or party drink, whether you are serving two or a crowd.
Beergarita ingredients
- Tequila: I like using 100% agave silver tequila
- Agave syrup: a staple ingredient in a Tommy’s Margarita where it replaces the orange liqueur, it adds a lovely touch of sweetness.
- Orange liqueur: Curaçao, Triple Sec, or Cointreau although this is optional. If you prefer you can leave it out (but do add the agave syrup in that case).
- Lime juice: I have muddled the lime but you could squeeze it if you prefer.
- Ice-cold beer: preferably Corona or Bud Light.
- Sea salt: to frost the glasses (I used Maldon)
How to make a Beergarita (for two)
Step 1. Chill two rocks or highball glasses in the freezer. Moisten the edge of the glass with a lime wedge and dip into a shallow plate filled with coarse sea salt to frost the rim.
Step 2. Cut one large lime into wedges and put into a jug or a cocktail mixing glass.
Step 3. Add the agave syrup and use a muddler or a clean rolling pin to muddle the limes, extracting their juice.
Step 4. Add tequila, orange liqueur and plenty of ice and stir well.
Step 5. Strain the cocktail into the two prepared glasses.
Step 6. Add cracked ice and lime slices and top with the beer. Stir and enjoy!
How to make a pitcher of Beergaritas (or Margaritas)
Margaritas work on a 2:1:1 ratio – two measures of tequila, one measure of orange liqueur and one measure lime juice.
Here I have added another element, the agave syrup, so the ratio is 2:1:1:1/2. You have to bear in mind that the drink will be diluted when you add the beer which is why I like the added sweetness. But this is a personal preference and you can leave the agave syrup out if you prefer.
With this formula in mind, one cup (250ml) tequila, half a cup (125ml) orange liqueur, half a cup (125ml) fresh lime juice plus one quarter cup (about 60ml) agave syrup will make enough for at least five strong beergaritas.
You could easily stretch it to six or seven lighter ones. You will need 2-4 bottles of beer to top up – depending on how much you want to dilute your drink.
TOP TIP: If you are making the margarita base in advance, you can mix all the ingredients together in a jug and keep in the fridge until needed. Do not add any ice until you are ready to serve.
What to serve with Beergaritas
- Fully-loaded vegetarian sweet potato nachos with guacamole and salsa
- Cheesy Pulled Pork, Black Bean and Avocado Quesadillas
- Lamb tacos al pastor
- Prawn Tacos with Guacamole and Spicy Slaw
Beergarita (a.k.a Bad Idea)
Ingredients
Ingredients for two servings
- 80 ml (1/3 cup) Silver Tequila
- 30 ml (1/8 cup) Triple Sec
- 2 tbsp agave syrup
- 1 bottle Corona or Bud Light
- 1 large lime
- Maldon salt for glasses (optional)
- Lime slices to serve
Ingredients for a Beergarita pitcher (serves 5-7)
- 250 ml (1 cup) Silver Tequila
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) Triple Sec
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) lime juice
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) agave syrup
- 3-5 bottles Corona or Bud Light
- 2 limes cut into slices to serve
Instructions
How to make a Beergarita (for two)
- Chill two rocks or highball glasses in the freezer. Moisten the edge of the glass with a lime wedge and dip into a shallow plate filled with coarse sea salt to frost the rim.
- Cut one large lime into wedges and put into a jug or a cocktail mixing glass.
- Add the agave syrup and use a muddler or a clean rolling pin to muddle the limes, extracting their juice.
- Add tequila, orange liqueur and ice and stir well.
- Strain the margarita into the two prepared glasses.
- Add cracked ice and lime slices and top with the beer.
How to make a Beergarita pitcher
- Put 5 (or up to 7) glasses in the freezer.
- Combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and agave syrup if using in a jug. Chill until ready to serve.
- When you are ready to serve add ice to the jug and stir.
- Divide between the chilled glasses, add lime slices and top with ice-cold beer.
Notes
- The agave syrup is optional – if you want to cut down on the sweetness you can leave it out.
- Always taste your Margarita base before adding the beer – dip a straw into the mix and check you are happy with the levels of sweetness /lime. Adjust if necessary.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate, and will depend on quality of ingredients and serving sizes.
ooh love this 🙂 xx
Sounds like a very good idea to me
Who yes please this looks just up my street x
Wow, What a not so bad idea for a thirst quenching drink.
nice
A very good idea 🙂
This looks so good, I'll have to try making some this summer!
And aww your son sounds adorable 😀
Wow – that looks refreshing! Not a bad idea at all!
I can't say I really like tequila or beer but your Bad Idea doesn't sound bad at all. I think there is a general principle to cocktails in that if you add any sort of fruit juice it will work and if you drink two you won't care if it does or not. 😉
Oh yes please. I much prefer your name for them to the beer 'garita that I know them by and I have to agree they are super refreshing and very moreish. Your pics make me wish I had one right now.