Black Margarita

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This spooky Black Margarita is a dark twist on the classic tequila cocktail. With jet-black tequila, fresh lime juice and a sweet agave rim, it’s an eerie but elegant drink that’s perfect for Halloween parties. The dehydrated lime garnish gives it a “dead” but elegant vibe your guests will love!

A coupe glass filled with a dark gray apple cider punch cocktail, garnished with a dried citrus slice and black salt on the rim. A skull decoration and more dried citrus slices are in the background.

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About this Black Margarita recipe

Most margaritas are gold or pale green in color, but this one takes a haunting turn. By tinting tequila with food coloring, you get a bold black hue that’s perfect for the season.

The flavor is exactly what you’d expect from a great margarita: tangy lime, smooth tequila, and a touch of sweetness from the agave. If you like, you can add a splash of orange liqueur for depth. Grand Marnier or Cointreau are good choices since they won’t wash out the color.

This cocktail is easy to make but impressive on the table, making it perfect for Halloween gatherings or themed parties.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Spooky + elegant: A pitch-black cocktail rimmed with black salt or sugar is dramatic and festive.
Customizable: Make it with your favorite tequila and add orange liqueur if you like.
Halloween-ready: This eerie drink is a fun way to liven up your spooky-season menu.

A black cocktail in a coupe glass with a black sugar rim and a dried citrus slice, inspired by apple cider punch, set in front of a skull decoration and a dark bottle.

table of contents

Ingredients

For the homemade black tequila, you’ll need:

Tequila: Use any blanco or silver tequila as the base. Its clear color takes on the food dye well.
Food coloring: Just a few drops of green, red and blue food coloring create a rich black shade without changing the flavor of the drink.

Don’t miss Tequila 101 where you can learn more about which bottles to buy.

Tequila 101

And to make the black margarita, you’re going to need:

Black tequila: The star of the show — smooth and striking in color.
Agave nectar ^*: Adds natural sweetness and also helps the sugar or salt stick to the rim.
Lime juice: Fresh-squeezed is best for tangy, bright flavor.
Black rimming sugar or black lava salt: For an extra spooky, dramatic presentation.

Instructions

Ready to make a delicious black margarita? Here’s how:

blue, green and red food coloring swirling together in closeup shot of glass bottle of vodka with out of focus cauldron in background

a bottle of black vodka with a cork next to a Halloween cauldron on a black and white napkin

First, make the black tequila. Add the food coloring to the tequila and stir or shake to combine.

A hand tilts a martini glass, dipping the rim into a shallow tin of black grains—an elegant touch, perhaps preparing it for a festive apple cider punch.

A hand uses a brush to apply liquid for an apple cider punch to the rim of an empty coupe glass, with a dish of black liquid and a tin of black sprinkles nearby.

Pour some black sugar on a plate. With a food-safe paint brush or your finger, paint agave nectar ^* around the rim of a glass. Roll the rim of the glass in the sugar to coat the rim.

A hand pours a dark liquid from a metal jigger into a tall, textured glass with ice—perfect for serving refreshing apple cider punch. A bowl of dried citrus slices sits in the background.

A hand pours a clear liquid from a metal jigger into a tall glass with apple cider punch and ice. A bowl of dried citrus slices sits in the background.

In a cocktail shaker ^* filled with ice, add black tequila and agave nectar.

A hand pours a light-colored liquid from a metal jigger into a tall glass of apple cider punch, layered with dark and yellow liquids, while a bowl of dried citrus slices sits in the background.

A hand holding a diamond-patterned cocktail shaker with a gold lid; a bowl with dried citrus slices and hints of apple cider punch sits in the background.

Next add the lime juice. Shake well, until the shaker is cold in your hands.

A gray apple cider punch cocktail is being poured into a coupe glass with a black salt rim, placed on a marble coaster next to a bowl of dried citrus slices.

A hand places a dried citrus slice garnish on a black cocktail in a coupe glass with a black salt rim. A bowl of dried citrus, a decorative skull, and hints of apple cider punch inspiration are in the background.

Strain into a chilled coupe glass ^* or margarita glass ^*. Garnish with a piece of dehydrated lime.

A coupe glass with a dark apple cider punch, black sugar rim, and a dried citrus slice garnish. A black bottle and a decorative skull are in the background.

Tips & tricks

Mind your pour. When straining from the shaker, pour slowly to avoid disrupting the sugar rim.
Garnish creatively. Dehydrated lime slices make a stylish, Halloween-ready finishing touch. Looks dead, but still tastes like lime!
Chill your glass. Pop your coupe or margarita glass ^* in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving to keep the cocktail extra frosty.

A coupe glass filled with a dark apple cider punch, garnished with a dried lime slice and black sugar on the rim; a skull decoration and bottle are in the background.

Food pairings

Make it a full spread by pairing this cocktail with:

Tacos: Any classic taco complements the tequila and lime combo.
Chips + dip: Homemade salsa, guacamole, and queso are natural partners for this delicious Margarita.
Halloween snacks: Think themed cupcakes, spiderweb tarts or classic finger food like Chex mix.

FAQ

Can I make a Black Margarita without food coloring?

Yes! Some people use activated charcoal instead, but be sure to read up on its potential interactions.

Can I make the black tequila ahead of time?

Absolutely. Mix the tequila with food coloring up to a week ahead and store it in a sealed bottle until you’re ready to use it.

Can I make a Black Margarita without alcohol?

You can. Swap the tequila for a zero-proof tequila, limeade or lemon-lime soda to make a Halloween mocktail with the same fun look.

zero-proof tequilas

Spiritless Jalisco 55

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Seedlip Notas De Agave

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A clear glass bottle of Ritual Zero Proof Agave Spirit Alternative with a wooden cap and blue label accents, containing a golden liquid.

Ritual agave spirit alternative

Buy Now →

A black cocktail in a coupe glass with a dried citrus slice, black sugar rim, and Halloween-themed decorations—including a skull and bottle—sits on a white surface, perfect for those seeking an eerie twist on classic apple cider punch.

More Halloween drink recipes

If you liked this recipe, try:

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Black Margarita

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 10

Dark, spooky, and devilishly delicious — the Black Margarita is the ultimate Halloween cocktail. Perfect for sipping under moonlight and casting a little mischief!

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ingredients

Black tequila

1 cup tequila
3 drops liquid red food color
3 drops liquid green food color
3 drops liquid blue food color

Black margarita

2 ounces black tequila
1 ounce agave nectar plus more for rim
1 ounce lime juice freshly-squeezed
2 tablespoons black rimming sugar or black lava salt, for the rim

instructions

To make the black tequila, add the food coloring to the tequila and stir or shake to combine. Makes 4 2-ounce servings.
Pour some black sugar on a plate. With a food-safe paint paint brush or your finger, paint agave nectar around the rim of a glass. Roll the rim of the glass in the sugar to coat the rim.
In a cocktail shaker ^* filled with ice, add black tequila, agave nectar and lime juice. Shake well.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass ^* or margarita glass.

recommended products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

acacia margarita salt rimmer

hawaiian black lava sea salt

gold 10-piece cocktail shaker set

amount per serving:

Serving: 4ounces Calories: 649kcal Carbohydrates: 24g Protein: 0.1g Fat: 0.1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 2mg Potassium: 34mg Fiber: 0.2g Sugar: 20g Vitamin A: 14IU Vitamin C: 13mg Calcium: 4mg Iron: 0.1mg

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