How many standard drinks are in a Margarita?
Tequila, orange liqueur, and lime — the classic build.
A cocktail's strength is the sum of the alcohol in each ingredient, not just one pour. Based on a typical recipe, a Margarita contains about 0.9 fl oz of pure alcohol — roughly 1.5 standard drinks.
The recipe and the math
| Ingredient | Amount | ABV | Std drinks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tequila | 1.5 oz | 40% | 1 |
| Triple sec / orange liqueur | 1 oz | 30% | 0.5 |
| Lime juice | 1 oz | — | 0 |
| Total | 3.5 oz | 25.7% | 1.5 |
One US standard drink is 0.6 fl oz of pure alcohol. A heavier pour or a stronger recipe pushes the number up fast — see what counts as a standard drink or the standard drink calculator to check your own.
Calories aren't shown here because they depend heavily on mixers — juice, syrup, and cream vary widely. For a rough single-ingredient estimate, use the alcohol calorie calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many standard drinks are in a Margarita?
A typical Margarita works out to about 1.5 US standard drinks. That's the sum of the pure alcohol in each spirit — 0.9 fl oz total — divided by 0.6 fl oz per standard drink.
How strong is a Margarita?
Across about 3.5 oz of finished drink, a Margarita averages roughly 25.7% ABV. Strength varies with the exact pour and recipe.