Margaritas are such a fun summer beverage, so I thought I'd try my hand at a healthy margarita recipe in the form of a margarita smoothie. This super tropical, super delicious mocktail is as vibrant as its lime green coloring suggests, and is perfect for opening up the pool as well as soaking in some sunshine.
Origins of the margarita
It seems several different people have claimed to invent the margarita. Stories range from Mexican restaurant owner Carlos (Danny) Herrera creating the drink in 1938, to Texan Margaret Sames inventing it in the 1940s (who really knows?!).
The first frozen Margarita machine was invented by Mariano Martinez, restaurant owner in Texas, in 1971. My margarita smoothie is a play on this frozen variety of the beverage, so be sure to have some frozen fruit on hand when blending this healthy margarita recipe.
Margarita smoothie ingredient swaps
Coconut water adds electrolytes + flavor to this smoothie, yet swap for regular water, carbonated water, or even a fun kombucha. 100% pineapple juice works too. Swap peeled peaches for the mango or pineapple. Another great swap for mango is banana.
If you still want the coconut flavor, then toss in 2 tablespoons of coconut flakes for a delicious upgrade.
How to make a healthy margarita
Now if you came to this post looking for an actual margarita, then I won't leave you hanging (yet I challenge you to still try my margarita smoothie)! My friend Danielle Walker has some incredible cocktail recipes, all of which are refined sugar free. They almost look too good to drink!
While I believe in balance, I also love finding recipes that are incredible + made with real food ingredients. So that's what I look for, even in my cocktails. And... if a vanilla pineapple margarita doesn't pique your interest, then more for me!
A margarita smoothie a day
This recipe was originally created for my very first cookbook, Simple Green Smoothies... it's such a good recipe that it actually made the cover of the book!
I'm super passionate about helping people start the healthy habit of 1 green smoothie a day. And as evidenced by this margarita smoothie recipe, that doesn't have to be boring, gross, or hard! Green smoothies can actually be fun, and filling as well as something the whole family enjoys sipping together.
Just grab your fav fruits + leafy greens; I bet I've got a smoothie recipe that's right for you.
More tropical smoothies
If you loved this recipe, then I'm giving you easy access to more tropical smoothies that are just as fun as my margarita smoothie:
- Piña colada smoothie
- Honey turmeric smoothie
- Vegan tropical smoothie
- Smoothie bowl
- Mango smoothie
- Dragon fruit smoothie
Leave a rating + review below once you've blended up the margarita smoothie, and don't forget to share how you enjoyed it!
Margarita Smoothie
Rate this Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup spinach
- ½ cup coconut water
- ½ orange (peeled)
- 1 cup mango (frozen)
- ½ cup pineapple (frozen)
- 1 teaspoon lime (juice)
- sea salt ( coarse, for rim of glasses)
- Protein Smoothie Boost (optional)
Instructions
- Blend spinach, orange, and coconut water until smooth.
- Add mango, pineapple, and lime juice. Blend again.
- Save squeezed lime wedge and rub it around the rim of a margarita glass. Dip the rim into the coarse salt.
- Pour the smoothie into the prepared glass.
Notes
- Use frozen fruit to make smoothie cold.
- Garnish with a lime wedge to make look super cute.
Ashley Fancher
This smoothie was amazing! It’s so good & we’ll definitely make it again!
Kim
This was a game-changer for our Cinco De Mayo dinner! Thanks for creating such fun recipes for the whole family. 🙂
Kat B.
This is so yummy! A sweet treat my sweet tooth that's waaaay healthier than what I'd usually grab.
Dani
Have you ever added tequila to this.. because I think I just found my new healthy cocktail!
Erin
Okay, this was a fun smoothie! I can't drink a full smoothie-amount b/c it was super sweet, yet it was still a delicious dessert.
Calleen
Too much fruit for me. I like my juice drinks like my coffee, I like the taste and not sweet.
Simple Green Smoothies
Calleen, feel free to decrease the amount of fruit and increase the amount of leafy greens in order to create a smoothie that's not as sweet. For example, you can use 3 cups of spinach, 1 cup of mango, and 1/2 cup of pineapple. The rest of the ingredients will stay the same. Cheers!
MaryAnn
If you're allergic to poison oak, don't touch the skins as the sticky sap can be on the skins off the tree and can cause a reaction just as if you came into contact with poison oak itself--mango tree is in the same plant family! I found that out the hard way shopping for fresh mango and had to trace my steps to figure out where my reaction originated :-/
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Maryann,
You're very right! I didn't know that either until researching for our blog post on what fruit + veggie skins you can include in your smoothie. So yes, allergic to poison oak - it's best to stay away from those mango skins. Pre-packaged frozen mango is a great option!
Anika
I will surely try this but with juicing style with my best juicer
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Anika,
Yum! We're smoothie lovers, but definitely love the occasional juice too - and love trying our recipes in different formats (smoothies, popsicles, juices). Make sure and reach back out! I'd love to know what you thought!
Ayesha
Hi! any recipe made up of eggplant?
Simple Green Smoothies
Hi Ayesha,
We don't. But I definitely think it's something we should experiment with! Love blending with veggies? Make sure and check out these veggie packed recipes...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/smoothie-recipes-for-kids
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/savory-smoothie
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/veggie-cocktail
Kelsey
Hi, two questions!
1. Is there not an issue with the white stringy bits between the peel and flesh of an orange? Should I make an effort to get rid of as many as possible?
2. As a college student, smoothies are a great idea for a quick breakfast that will keep my immune system up. But so much fresh, tropical fruit can be expensive. Can you get an enjoyable smoothie out of no-sugar-added canned pineapple, peaches, etc?
Kelsey
PS Sorry, I should specify - I've noticed that frozen fruit also often costs a silly amount. That's why I ask about canned.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Kelsey,
Thanks for reaching out. Worried about the orange pith? Don't be, it's packed with fiber. It does have a slightly bitter flavor, so if you don't enjoy the flavor, removing some additional pith is a good option.
We're all about making green smoothies work for you + your wallet. While you can definitely blend with canned fruit, even those stored in their own juice contain additional sugar. So it's important to take that into consideration when blending.
Here are a few more tips for making healthy living easy on your budget...
-Make a shopping list: Making a weekly meal planning list that covers what you will eat on a daily basis will help you only buy what you need. Make sure to include snacks in your meal plan and shopping list, too.
-Buy seasonal fruit and veggies: Purchasing produce is in season and is typically cheaper. And if you see a good deal on fresh fruits and veggies, purchase in bulk and freeze for future smoothies.
-Buy out of season fruits frozen: Costco and Sam’s Club sell large bags of organic frozen fruit at good prices. If your freezer can accommodate bags in bulk, take advantage of making these purchases.
-Buy from local fruit stands, farmer’s markets and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture): For the tastiest and most fresh organic produce, buy locally. Not only has the produce been grown and harvested close to home, but buying locally also helps our environment by eliminating the time and resources needed to deliver. Visit, https://www.localharvest.org/ to find your local farm, farmers markets, and other local food sources.
-Follow the EWG’s Dirty Dozen: This list will help you know what is worth getting organic and what you can buy conventional.
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/dirty-dozen-list
Hope this helps!
Donna B
Most of your recipes say 2 servings, does that mean I shouldn't chug the whole thing myself?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Donna!
Thanks for reaching out! Our serving sizes are there as a suggestion :). We always recommend doing what's best for you, personally!
I've been known to go through both servings, as well (they're just so darn tasty!), so what I do now, is divide up the servings right away, and stick one in the fridge for lunch or an afternoon snack :).
Jenny Travens
Can i use any other fruit instead of pineapple? I am not much fan of pineapple.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Jenny!
Totally! Feel free to use any fruit you love :). Any citrus fruit--like mango, orange, or kiwi--are some of my favorite pineapple substitutes.
Cheers!
Lisa
Is there a substitute for coconut water? Can tap water work?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Lisa!
Feel free to use any liquid base in place of coconut water :). Filtered water, coconut milk, fresh-squeezed juice, and green tea are some of our favorites!
Cheers!
Robert Skrob
Do you peel and pit the mango or use the whole thing?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Robert,
Great question! We definitely suggest pitting the mango prior to blending. The peel on the other hand is heavily concentrated with carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids – known for fighting off cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and heart disease.
When blending the mango skin we suggest selecting your fruit when the fruit is ripe and the skin is at its thinnest. While the mango skin is packed with nutrients, those sensitive to poison ivy or poison oak should avoid eating the skin due to a potential allergic reaction known as “mango itch”. And with any peel, we suggest starting small. You can always add more as your body + taste buds become accustomed to their health benefits + taste.
Learn more about our favorite peels here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/peel-fruit
Marianela
This looks delicious and refreshing =) Thanks for sharing. I like mine with as many fruits and vegetables as possible.
SGS Rawkstar
HI Marianela,
This is one of our favorite recipes, especially with summer right around the corner!
Cheers!
Caitlin
Just curious what brand of coconut water do you use? Many that i find process their water at such high temps it destroys most nutrients. Thanks!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Caitlin,
Looking for a great raw coconut water option? Try reaching for Harmless Harvest.
kela
hey just wondering what time of day is best to have smoothies ?? and can they be used to replace meals?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Kela,
Thanks for reaching out! You can enjoy your green smoothie any time of day! Just know that your green smoothie will give you a great energy boost, similar to a cup of coffee, in case you're planning on having your smoothie late at night.
You can definitely use your green smoothie as a meal replacement! We simply suggest adding protein + healthy fats to ensure you're fueling your body with a complete meal. Check out our favorite meal replacement booster combos here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/meal-replacement-smoothie
NICHELLE WILLIAMS
I WAS WONDERING HOW MANY CALORIES IS THIS SMOOTHIE?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Nichelle,
We personally don't count calories, so we don't include them in our recipes at this time. You'll find that when you consume more nourishing whole fruits and veggies, you will not only feel full longer, but you'll also have lessened cravings for high-calorie, nutritionally empty foods. So in the end it balances out. But we know many people would like to have calorie info. Three great resources for tracking calories are Self Nutrition Data, and the phone apps: My Fitness Pal and Lose It.
meaninc
Wowzers! I didn't know what to expect from this recipe because I've never had anything like it. The incorporation of lime juice and orange truly made this smoothie something special. I added 1 packet of stevia and 2 tbls of Chia seeds. This smoothie is an explosion of flavor. It tastes like I just threw a handful of skittles in my mouth. Best of all it's all from nature. Thanks for this amazing website!
SGS Rawkstar
HI Meaninc,
We love your description of our Tropical Mango-Rita Green Smoothie!! Thank you so much for sharing, and we love hearing your love for making healthy living taste great!
Cheers 🙂
Jay
I just did the exact same thing ( added chia and stevia). This smoothie is fabulous!
Angguni
Hi Jadah & Jen, i'm wondering what kind of orange that you use for this recipe? How about the orange seeds? Do you squeeze the orange or just put it on blender? Thanks
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Angguni,
Thanks for reaching out! Use any orange you love, my favorite is navel! If you want to truly capture all the benefits that citrus fruits can provide, then try blending them whole (including the seeds) with your green smoothies (just make sure they are organic if you use the peel and all. Don’t go crazy on the peels because the taste is strong (Jen figured that out the hard way).
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/vitamin-c-benefits
Cheers 🙂
Loren
I've been wanting to make this one for a while because I love margaritas. I decided to make it for my boyfriend since he practically survives off of smoothies.
We absolutely loved it. He said it was his favorite part of breakfast (we had it with toast, poached egg, and avocado garlic lime spread). He said it went well with the avocado lime spread.
Now he's a believer of simple green smoothies.
I really liked the addition of the salt around the rim. It provided a nice contrast to the sweetness of the drink.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Loren,
YAY! We're so excited to hear you + your boyfriend enjoyed our Tropical Mango-Rita Green Smoothie! It's the perfect summer green smoothie, especially with the hot weather coming in August. We love hearing from our SGS community, thank you for taking the time to reach out!
Cheers 🙂
Pazpazim
Hello ! I cannot eat bananas, oranges and kiwi, what can be a substitute of those fruits ?
Thanks a lot !
DK762
Made this Mango-margarita smoothie this morning, I added Greek yogart instead of banana for protein factor. It was light and refreshing. Will be making this again as a poolside refresher/pick-me-up on those hot summer days.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi DK762,
Great idea! We love adding protein to our smoothies, it helps keep us full + satisfied throughout the day! Here are some of our favorite protein options:
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/protein-powder-for-smoothies
Doe
OMG! This Mango-rita is soooo delicious!! I love Margaritas, but I can't drink alcohol anymore. This is so tasty, the salt and lime give it a nice kick!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Doe,
This smoothie almost demands to be enjoyed poolside! 🙂
Poppy G
I just make this today, OMG.... it's so good!!! i love it. this one will be on my favourite list. Thank you 🙂
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Poppy,
We love hearing that! 🙂
Jeanette
OMG, I think this one is my new favorite!! So good!!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Jeanette,
We agree! This recipe just demands to be enjoyed poolside during the summer! 🙂
Frank Mood
I have been looking at the recipes for your smoothies and I have a problem. I do not like any green leafy veggies. I have never eaten a salad in my life. (I'm 68) I despise onions, cabbage, celery, kale, etc. Is there any hope for me?
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Frank,
It's all about our Simple Green Smoothie Formula https://simplegreensmoothies.com/smoothie-101 that we use for every recipe. Our ratio of leafy greens to fruits helps mask any of the bitter taste that might have kept you away from them before. My husband called any leafy greens rabbit food before I introduced him to Simple Green Smoothies, and now he's hooked. If you're new to green smoothies, start with Beginner's Luck!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/best-green-smoothie
We're here if you have any questions!
Steven Doxas
I was/am the same way. Brussel sprouts, cabbage, etc. would always make me gag. Literally. But, bananas and other creamy fruits completely mask the taste of any leafy greens. It's kinda crazy.
SGS Rawkstar
Thanks for sharing, Steven!
Marilyn D
Frank, my hubby shares your hatred for dark leafy greens (he will eat very simple salads) and is very cynical about trying foods. He has drunk all the SGS I’ve tried so far except ones with mango, and has actually ENJOYED some of them! Try it and enjoy that burst of energy that soon follows.
Cambria Menendez
Love that they have the vital proteins for an awesome price!!!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Cambria,
We love adding protein to our smoothies! We especially love plant based protein options. Check out our favorites here...
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/protein-powder-for-smoothies
Jane
After reading the name of the recipe the first thing that comes in my mind is alcohol. I'm so glad this is a healthy drink, like a faux margarita. It's so green and nutritious.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Jane,
Exactly! We hope you enjoy it! This was our go-to smoothie for Cinco de Mayo!
Ananya
I was wondering if you drink both servings at one time or if it's just one serving that suffices. I've seen your page about how to make the smoothie a meal replacement and was wondering if you have the whole batch at one time!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Ananya,
Jadah drinks at least 2 cups (16oz) every morning as a breakfast meal replacement. Jen has her's for lunch, or an afternoon snack. We primarily suggest enjoying one 16oz smoothie at a time, and enjoying the second smoothie later in the day, or share the extra serving with a friend!
Pauline
Thank you for this - sounds yummy and will be next up on the list for the weekend. I also appreciate a banana free recipe, I can't stand the smell of them, so even if you can't taste them in the smoothies, they still have to live in your kitchen until they're gone! Looking forward to this one!!!
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Pauline,
Not a banana fan? We got you covered!
Some great banana substitutes are: Mango, Papaya, Pear, Chia seeds, Fresh dates, Nut Butters, Unsweetened applesauce, Avocado (won’t add the sweetness, but will definitely add the thick and creamy texture)!
https://simplegreensmoothies.com/avocado-smoothie
Cynthia R
I can't do bananas either. I have found that with most of these recipes you can just leave it out and still have a good smoothie. Sometimes it's better if you reduce the liquid portion a bit. Just another option when you don't have something to replace it with.
SGS Rawkstar
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks so much for the tip! We love Rawkstars supporting each other. 🙂
debbie
Thank u love all your smoothies
SGS Rawkstar
Thanks for blendin' with us, Debbie!
Natalie
Thank you so much! I've tried this and loved it.
SGS Rawkstar
Rawesome!