People love to socialize with their friends, especially when margaritas are involved. Everyone has a different threshold for how much they can drink while maintaining composure. So, how many margaritas will get you drunk?
While the average margarita is about 33% alcohol, the exact amount will depend on the tequila you use, the size of your drink, and how you prepare it. The number of drinks needed to get drunk can be as little as one or as many as three depending on your gender, size, and drink strength.
This article will explore how we can measure the alcohol in an average margarita, what factors influence how many margaritas will get you drunk, and how the human body can differ on how many margaritas will get someone drunk.
How Much Alcohol Is in an Average Margarita?
Margaritas are a popular choice to order at bars and restaurants or when drinking at home when imbibing with friends. Because everyone makes a margarita slightly different, there is variation in how much liquor is in your favorite drink. So how much alcohol is in an average margarita?
The average margarita has about 33% alcohol by volume. This is because the average margarita contains about ⅔ tequila by volume and the average tequila is about 40% alcohol by volume.
But there are many factors to consider. Different bars have different standards when it comes to pouring drinks. Some bar managers want 1.5 ounces (40 ml) of alcohol in a standard drink, while others prefer two ounces (60 ml).
Also, while the average tequila is about 40% alcohol by volume (source: Alcohol Rehab Guide), some tequilas are more potent than this. It is essential to inquire with your bartender which tequila they will be using to be sure that you know what the alcohol by volume is.
Size is also an important consideration when determining how much alcohol is in an average margarita. The larger the margarita, the more tequila will likely be added to maintain the flavor of the drink. There are other ingredients like ice, lime juice, and sugar, but you will often get more than one shot in a larger-sized margarita.
Assuming the average margarita on the rocks contains two ounces (60 ml) of tequila to two ounces of mixers and diluted ice from mixing, the following chart provides a good idea of how much alcohol is in the average margarita:
| Typical Size of a Margarita on the Rocks | Average Amount of Alcohol in a Margarita on the Rocks |
| Four Ounces (120 ml) | Two Ounces (60 ml) |
| Eight Ounces (240 ml) | Four Ounces (120 ml) |
| Twelve Ounces (350 ml) | Six Ounces (180 ml) |
While the table above provides a great look at the average amount of alcohol in a margarita on the rocks, that is not the only way they are served. A margarita on the rocks or neat is typically mixed stronger than other versions because less ice dilutes the cocktail.
How Much Alcohol is in a Blended Margarita?
Blended margaritas are also very popular, and they contain a more considerable amount of ice.
The increased amount of ice means that there will be less tequila by volume than a margarita that is served on the rocks or neat (without ice). Some people refer to this as a weaker mix of tequila since there is a higher ratio of liquid to liquor in a frozen margarita than in a margarita that is served over ice or neat.
When making a frozen margarita, an average recipe found on wikiHow will require about two parts ice to one part total liquid (source: wikiHow). Using that ratio and knowing that the typical liquid in a margarita is about half tequila, here is a chart that shows you the average amount of tequila in a blended margarita:
| Typical Size of a Blended Margarita | Average Amount of Alcohol in a Blended Margarita |
| Eight Ounces (240 ml) | Two Ounces (60 ml) |
| Twelve Ounces (350 ml) | Three Ounces (90 ml) |
| Sixteen Ounces (470 ml) | Four Ounces (120 ml) |
Something else to consider is that some margarita recipes call for triple sec in addition to tequila. While it is not a necessary ingredient, many places do use it, and if they are not considering it a part of the two-ounce (60 ml) pour of liquor, you will have to take that extra alcohol content into account.
If you are looking to limit your alcohol consumption, your best bet is to request your margarita be made with only:
- Tequila
- Lime juice
- Agave or another alcohol-free sweetener
How Many Margaritas To Get Drunk?
Whether you are trying to get a good buzz or are more concerned about staying sober, it is often helpful to keep track of the number of drinks you consume. So, how many margaritas does it take to get drunk?
It could take as little as one margarita or as many as three to get you drunk depending on your age, gender, weight, and other factors. Whether you are on a mission to get intoxicated or try not to get drunk, it is crucial to understand that various factors can influence this.
Some of these factors include:
- Gender: This is an important consideration when determining how many margaritas will get you drunk.
According to Dr. George Koob of the National Institutes of Health, “on average, it takes one less drink for a woman to become intoxicated than a man of the same weight,” (source: New York Daily News). This is because women metabolize cocktails at a different rate than men.
- Strength of the drink: As discussed earlier, the amount of tequila relative to other ingredients in your margarita makes a big difference. Understanding how large your cocktail is and how much tequila went into it is essential.
- Body weight: Alcohol affects you differently depending on your weight.
According to research done at Stanford University, a heavier person will have a lower blood alcohol content than someone who weighs less than them because “bodyweight determines the amount of space through which alcohol can diffuse in the body,” (source: Stanford University).
According to Gorelick Law, it could take as little as one cocktail for someone under 120 pounds (54 kg) and just three cocktails for a 200-pound (90 kg) person depending on various factors (source: Gorelick Law Offices).
If you want to get drunk quickly, here are a few things that you can do:
- Eat a lighter meal. Food helps absorb alcohol, and therefore it travels slower through your bloodstream (source: Medical News Today). You will feel drunker if you haven’t eaten anything because the alcohol absorbs into your bloodstream faster.
- Order a double margarita. If you order a double shot in your cocktail, you will be getting twice as much liquor. Ordering a double means that you are getting twice as drunk as you otherwise would for every cocktail you consume.
If you want to try to stay sober, or at least not get quite as drunk, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Know your body weight and how it can affect your tolerance. If you have recently gained or lost weight, this will impact how many cocktails it takes to get you drunk; know your body weight and monitor any changes that might affect the number of cocktails it takes to get you drunk.
- The more sleep you get, the more sober you will feel. Get some rest before you go out partying, as it will help you feel less drunk than you would if you were sleep-deprived.
Margaritas are a great way to let loose and have a good time; however, it is crucial to understand how much alcohol is in your margarita and how drunk you will get based on various personal factors.
