Making cocktails in the Ninja Slushi Machine can be challenging, but don't worry, I have done all of the hard work to craft a recipe with instructions for you! Get ready for the ultimate frozen margarita—smooth, icy, and perfectly blended. This margarita is everything you love about a classic margarita but with a frosty, restaurant-style twist.
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I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
You will also love my Ninja Slushi Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade, Ninja Slushi Lemonade, Ninja Slushi Daiquiri, Ninja Slushi Wendy's Frosty, Ninja Slushi Cherry Slush, Ninja Slushi Coffee Frappé (Vanilla Caramel). Ninja Slushi Strawberry Lemonade Slush, and Ninja Slushi Vanilla Protein Shake.
Key Ingredients
- Simple Syrup – A little sweetness balances the tartness of the lime juice and smooths out the alcohol. While traditional margaritas don’t always include sweetener, simple syrup (or agave) makes the drink more approachable, especially if you prefer a slightly less tart margarita. I use monkfruit to avoid a bunch of added sugar.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is the heart of any margarita! It adds the signature tangy, citrusy brightness that cuts through the richness of the tequila and enhances the overall refreshing quality of the drink. Avoid bottled lime juice—it just doesn’t compare!
- Triple Sec – This orange liqueur brings a layer of sweet, citrusy flavor that pairs with the lime juice and tequila. You can also swap it for Cointreau for a more premium flavor.
- Tequila – The star of the show! A good-quality silver (blanco) or reposado tequila is essential for that smooth, slightly earthy agave flavor. Blanco tequila keeps it crisp and clean, while reposado adds a hint of warmth from oak aging. Always choose 100% agave tequila if you are looking for the best taste—no harsh additives!
How to Fix Error Messages Related to Alcohol
If you've tried making a margarita, piña colada, or any frozen cocktail in this machine, you might have run into error messages, improper freezing, or inconsistent texture. Trust me, I understand. It happened to me several times when I created this recipe. Here’s why and how to fix it.
- Alcohol Doesn’t Freeze Well – Since alcohol has a much lower freezing point than water, high-proof spirits can prevent proper slush formation. Too much alcohol in the mix can cause the machine to fail to shave properly or not dispense the slush at all.
- Wrong Liquid Ratios – The Ninja Slushi Machine needs the right balance of water-based liquids and alcohol for proper freezing. Too little liquid = slushie won’t form. Too much liquid = the drink won’t get thick enough.
- Thick Syrups & Juices Can Cause Issues – Using thick fruit juices, syrups, or creamy ingredients can make the machine work harder and sometimes lead to clumping or uneven freezing.
- Overfilling the Machine – The Ninja Slushi Machine has a minimum and maximum fill line for a reason. Overfilling it can cause it to struggle with freezing and dispensing.
How to Make Perfect Frozen Cocktails in the Ninja Slushi Machine
If a drink exceeds the maximum alcohol, temperature control lights will flash one at a time in ascending order starting with the bottom LED, preset LEDs will flash, and the unit will beep every minute for 15 minutes. If this happens you need to add more water or something like sparkling water.
- Stick to 1-1.5 oz alcohol per serving – Any more and the drink won’t freeze properly.
- Dilute with extra water, juice, or mixer – Helps create a smooth, thick slush.
- Use pre-chilled ingredients – This helps the machine freeze the mix faster and prevents melting.
- Avoid thick syrups or creamy ingredients – If using, mix well with water or juice to thin them out.
- Don’t overfill the machine – Stick to the fill line (64oz) for best results.
How to Make Margarita Slushies
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a measuring cup or small pitcher, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, water, and simple syrup. Stir well to mix.
- Pour the prepared margarita mixture into the Ninja Slushi Machine. Make sure the total liquid is between 8-16 oz and stays within the fill lines to avoid errors.
- Press the Spiked Slush button and let the machine shave and churn the mixture into a smooth, icy margarita.
- Dispense the frozen margarita slush into the glass.
Substitutions and Add-ins Ideas
- Fruit (These will have to be blended first before adding them to the machine: strawberry, mango, pineapple, etc.)
- Mint
- Basil
- Sour Mix
- Agave
- Jalapeno
- Tajin
- Chili Powder
- Cayenne
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! Swap simple syrup for agave, sugar-free syrup, or leave it out entirely for a tangier drink. . I use monkfruit to avoid a bunch of added sugar.
Blend frozen fruit like strawberries, mango, watermelon, or pineapple for a fruity twist and add them to the mixture.
Freeze slices of jalapeño in your margarita mix or add Tajín to the rim for extra heat.
A frozen or chilled glass keeps the slushie texture longer—no melting too fast!
Yes! The Ninja Slushi Machine is perfect for making multiple servings at once. Just increase the ingredient quantities accordingly and let the machine do its magic.
It took me about 20 minutes.
Slushies are best enjoyed immediately, as they can melt quickly. If needed, you can freeze the mixture and re-blend when ready to serve.
More Cocktail Recipes
Jungle Juice
Hennessy Margarita Recipe
Tequila Cranberry Cocktail
Watermelon Margarita on the Rocks
Pair With These Recipes
Beef and Rice Skillet
Queso Cheese Dip
Smoked Salsa
Taco Bell Creamy Jalapeno Sauce
Air Fryer Tortilla Chips
Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
Oven Baked Roasted Corn on the Cob
You'll love my Hennessy Ninja Slushi, Ninja Slushi Piña Colada Slush and Hennessy Margaritas.
Ninja Slushi Margarita Slush
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼-1/2 cup simple syrup Adjust to taste. If you like sweet drinks you may need more.
- ¼ cup lime juice I used fresh limes. The was 1 lime for me.
- ¼ cup triple sec
- ½-1 cup tequila Adjust to suit your taste and how strong you like your cocktails.
- 4 cups water or sparkling water
Instructions
- In a measuring cup or small pitcher, combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice, water, and simple syrup. Stir well to mix.
- Pour the prepared margarita mixture into the Ninja Slushi Machine. Make sure the total liquid is between 8-16 oz and stays within the fill lines to avoid errors.
- Press the Spiked Slush button and let the machine shave and churn the mixture into a smooth, icy margarita.
- Dispense the frozen margarita slush into the glass.If the drink isn't potent enough for you, add ½-1 shot of tequila to your serving glass prior to dispensing. Stir it all and enjoy.
Notes
-
- Stick to 1-1.5 oz alcohol per serving – Any more and the drink won’t freeze properly.
-
- Dilute with extra water, juice, or mixer – Helps create a smooth, thick slush.
-
- Use pre-chilled ingredients – This helps the machine freeze the mix faster and prevents melting.
-
- Avoid thick syrups or creamy ingredients – If using, mix well with water or juice to thin them out.
-
- Don’t overfill the machine – Stick to the fill line (64oz) for best results.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Jenni H says
Thanks for all of the tips! I couldn't get this thing figured out until I used your recipe.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad to hear it.
Etienne says
Fantastic recipe, worked well in the Slushie. 1/2 cup of simple syrup and 1/2 cup of Tequila was the sweet spot for my taste.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it.
Linde says
Thank you, I am up and running for a party this weekend thanks to your diligence.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad to hear it. Enjoy the party.
Linda P says
My girlfriends and I thought this recipe for Margarita Slushies was a hit at my pool party. The measurements of ingredients proved to be perfect and delivered the best results. I did use 1/4 cup more fresh squeezed lime juice, but followed the recipe exactly. Mixing the ingredients in a pitcher before pouring into the Ninja Slushie Rapid Chill was also a good idea! Thank you for doing all the hard work to get this Margarita recipe perfect!!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you all enjoyed these!
Diana says
I’m kinda new to making slushi’s in the Ninja. I was looking for a quick go to recipe for margaritas for my MIL. She loves them. This recipe did not disappoint! It was delicious and came out perfectly! Thank you !
staysnatched says
Yay! You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Daimon says
Does this work solely with the premixed bottles of Cuervo Margarita mixes?
staysnatched says
Probably, I've never tried it. I don't like premixed.