A nice cold glass of margarita adds spice to any occasion. Simple but delicious, it is no wonder that the drink – made
from tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice – is America’s most popular cocktail. While margaritas can be made manually, there are specialized margarita machines that allow you to make them en masse (great for parties!), whilst also lending your drinks that perfect oomph.
The margarita machine is the brainchild of Mexican entrepreneur and artist Mariano Martinez, whose early version of the device in 1971 was adapted from a soft-serve machine. Today, they are much sought after both personally and commercially, thanks to their ability to churn out consistent results, versatility and convenience.
Commercial margarita machines are similar to slushie machines and are equipped with cooling drums that freeze the contents poured into the hopper (or container). The drums feature a spiral-like design that rotates constantly, ensuring that your beverage turns out smooth and with a great consistency. These commercial machines are expensive and consume a lot of electricity, which is why some people choose to rent them for parties or events.
For home use, margarita machines are more similar to specialised blenders than slushie machines. There are generally two types that you will find for home use. One is specialised for frozen beverages. The ice is placed into a reservoir or compartment at the top of the device, where a powerful motor and strong steel blades work to shave it down to a fine texture. The ice is then added into a blender-like jar with your ingredients and thoroughly blended
before serving – giving you a restaurant-quality beverage. The other type resembles a drink dispenser, and has a section where you can add ice to chill your margarita mix, without diluting the beverage.
While you can use regular blenders to make your frozen margaritas, the results will not be consistent as normal kitchen mixers are not specifically designed for ice blended drinks, and you will get uneven or huge chunks of ice.
When aiming to create restaurant-quality margaritas or other frozen drinks, there are many advantages to using a margarita machine, as compared to a regular blender. Among them:
Versatile – Despite its name, margarita machines are not limited to just making margaritas. You can use them for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic ice-blended drinks, from daiquiris and pina coladas, to juices and smoothies.
Convenient – Operating a margarita machine is virtually effortless, as the machine does most of the work for you, from shaving down the ice to mixing the ingredients. Most machines include indicators to help you measure portions, as well as features such as a dedicated ice storage tank, and an ice melt reservoir which channels melted ice away from your ingredients, so you won’t get a mushy, watery drink. Some machines also offer automated and manual controls, so you can customise your beverage according to your preferences.
Consistent results – You might have noticed a drop in quality when using blenders to make drinks such as fruit juices. This is because blenders operate at high speeds, which speeds up the oxidation process. They are also not suited for crushing ice.
Margarita machines are able to dispense ice blended beverages and keep them fresh for a longer period of time, without losing quality and taste. Thanks to their powerful motor and specialised blades, these machines are also able to produce a consistent, uniform result.
Durable Build – Blenders have a tendency to overheat. This can be a hassle when you’re preparing drinks for a group. A margarita machine usually has a powerful motor and does not overheat as easily, making it suitable
for making multiple drinks at once.
Features of A High Quality Margarita Machine
Margarita machines have a wide range of features, the most important of which are summarized below.
Large Capacity
If you’re making margaritas and other frozen drinks regularly, then you will want to go for a machine with a larger capacity. Some designs come with numerous pitchers that allow you to blend a few different items at once – which will definitely come in handy for entertaining guests at a party.
Performance
A good margarita machine should be easy to use and deliver consistent results. Look for a powerful motor, paired with strong steel blades that are designed to crush ice. Other customisable functions, such as speed and pulse rate will also help to ensure that your drinks always come out smooth and creamy.
Convenience
Some machines have pre-programmed setups to make drinks such as daiquiris, mojitos, smoothies and coladas, while others allow you to customise their functions, such as switching between ‘shave only’ to get fine ice, or ‘blend’ to mix the ice with your preferred ingredients.
There are also models that come with measuring indicators, or a ‘smart’ function where it automatically measures out the right proportions of ice to ingredients needed. Cleaning should not be a hassle, so go for models that are dishwasher safe with parts that can be disassembled for easy cleaning.
Build and Design
Look for machines that have a sturdy, durable build and offer user-friendly design and features, s
uch as a stable base, convenient controls, drip-free pouring and a comfortable handle grip on the pitcher. A quality machine should also boast an attractive design, so that you can proudly display it as part of your kitchen and impress visiting guests. For those who have limited space, opt for designs that are compact, lightweight and easy to store, with features such as stowable cords.
FAQs
Are margarita machines easy to use?
Don’t be intimidated by the numerous parts and attachments. Much like a blender, operating a margarita machine is usually a breeze. Most machines only require you to add ice into the dedicated compartment, place your ingredients in the provided jar, and let the device blend it.
What sort of drinks can I make with my margarita machine?
The beauty of a margarita machine lies in its versatility. Aside from margaritas, it is able to make all sorts of beverages, such as (but not limited to) daiquiris, pina coladas, milkshakes, smoothies, juices and more.
My drinks are too watery. How can I improve on the quality?
If your machine has a ‘shave’ function, you can add more ice before switching to ‘blend’ mode. Using the correct setting will also help to adjust the amount of ice that goes into the pitcher.
When it comes to making frozen concoctions, Margaritaville is undoubtedly one of the leading brands on the market.
Their Tahiti series is a versatile all rounder that is practical and ideal for entertaining guests.
Performance and Capacity
The DM3000 has a powerful motor, which boasts 700 watts of combined blending and shaving power, so it is perfect for creating a range of restaurant-quality drinks in the comforts of your own home. Equipped with three 24-ounce blending jars, each cycle yields 72-ounces of frozen beverages, making it a must-have for parties and special events.
The design features three independent blending stations, so you can make larger batches each time. It can even blend different types of drinks in one go – for example, you can make daiquiris in one and margaritas in another, and you won’t have to wash the jars to make a different drink each time. The rotating ice reservoir also has a large capacity and is able to hold enough ice to fill up all of the pitchers.
Convenience
The machine is very simple to operate, and comes with several presets. There are six in total to choose from, which will allow you to make different drinks, including margaritas, daiquiris, coladas, mudslides, mojitos and smoothies. The machine automatically adjusts the amount of shaved ice and its consistency based on these presets.
If you prefer a customised drink, you can adjust the consistency and add more ice, or blend for longer, by utilising the ‘shave only’ and ‘blend only’ buttons to thicken or thin your drinks. Each blending jar has an ergonomic handle for easy pouring.
Build and Design
The D3000 is an attractive home appliance to have in the kitchen, with premium bamboo wood and brushed aluminium finishes, as well as polished stainless steel accents and heavy duty die-cast components that give it a robust build. It is also fairly compact and easy to store in a cabinet when not in use, as the entire unit measures about 19.34 x 19.5 x 19.5 inches. Your guests will enjoy viewing the process of how their drinks are made, as the D3000 comes with a motorised ice chute that rotates from one pitcher to the next. It comes with a limited one year warranty.
Highlights
Versatile, able to make all types of drinks
Comes with six presets
Shave and blend modes to adjust consistency
Three separate blending stations
Large capacity, makes up to 72 ounces in one cycle
Another popular model by Margaritaville, the new and improved DM1900 Key West is just the thing you need to
create delicious tropical-inspired beverages and get the party going.
Performance and Capacity
When you have many guests, making drinks one by one can be a massive chore. The Key West’s large capacity leaves you more time to mingle, as it comes with a huge 36-ounce pouring jar and a massive ice reservoir that holds enough ice to make 2.5 pitchers of drinks in one go. A powerful motor and strong blades, powered by 450 watts of electricity, ensures that you get smooth, delicious results.
Convenience
With the Key West, making frozen drinks has never been easier. All you will need to do is add ice into the reservoir, place the ingredients into the jar, and let the machine do the rest. Utilise the pre-programmed cycle to make anywhere from one to three servings. For a personal touch, you can also use the manual settings of ‘shave only’ and ‘blend only’ to adjust the consistency of your beverage. All parts are dishwasher safe, making the machine easy to clean.
Design and Build
The new Key West model boasts several improvements from its old design, including the Easy-Pour jar which now features a flip-up hatch, so you don’t have to remove the entire lid to serve. This makes rinsing out the jar much easier as well, and the ergonomically designed handle provides a quick and clean pour. You can say goodbye to unshaved chunks of ice, thanks to the machine’s durable, premium crafted blades – which also ensures perfect consistency, every time. The overall unit measures 9 x 14 x 19 inches and does not take up much space on the counter. It comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Highlights
Large capacity, big ice reservoir – make more drinks in shorter amount of time
Preset lets you make one to three drinks in one go
Manual settings let you customise consistency of your drink
Flip-up hatch on Easy-Pour jar ensures a clean pour
Sometimes the basics are the best – and this older Key West model, the DM1000, offers a reliable and great user
experience.
Performance and Capacity
Like the newer DM1900 model, the DM1000 comes with an extra-large ice hopper which allows it to hold a significant amount of ice, so you won’t have to refill it as often. It is capable of holding ice for up to two pitchers. The pitcher itself has a capacity of 36 ounces – giving you a total of 72 ounces each time. Using the machine is a breeze, as it comes with automated presets that allow you to choose the amount to make using the front control panel, from one, two or three drinks.
Convenience
The margarita machine is extremely easy to use, as all it requires is for you to fill up the ice reservoir with ice, measure the ingredients into the blender jar, and flip the automatic “Shave n Blend” toggle switch. You can also opt for manual control using the blend only or shave only button, which lets you thicken or thin your drinks as you like by controlling the amount of ice added. The blending jar has a firm and comfortable handle and even comes with measuring marks on the side, so you can easily estimate the amount of ingredients to add. The jar and the lid are dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleanup. That being said, if you have a little bit of ice left in the container, it can be difficult to empty because the unit cannot be detached, and you will have to lift up the heavy machine in order to pour out any remaining ice.
Build and Design
You won’t get chunks of uncrushed ice, as the Key West shaves it down to a fine consistency, This is thanks to its durable blades which are made for pulverising ingredients rather than just crushing them – which is what gives frozen drinks usually served in restaurants that smooth and creamy texture. The machine is dependable and is less likely to break down in the midst of a big party, thanks to its tough and durable housing, which is trimmed in stainless steel for an attractive finish. The blending jar is also made from sturdy glass. The only downside is that unlike the DM1900, the lid does not have a flip-up hatchet, and requires you to remove it entirely when pouring. For peace of mind, the unit comes with a one-year warranty.
Highlights
XL-sized ice container able to hold a lot of ice, fills two pitchers
With Margaritaville’s Bali series, you’ll feel like you’re on holiday on a tropical island – right in the comforts of your
own home. Organising a party has never been easier.
Performance and Capacity
Utilise the maker to make all kinds of beverages, from margaritas and daiquiris, to coladas and more. The extra large ice reservoir holds plenty of ice, so you can make your drinks in batches and in double time, while the blending jar has a capacity of 60 ounces, which is more than what most other models offer. The jar also doubles as a dispenser, so all your guests can top up their drinks at their own leisure. The powerful motor which runs on 650 watts of power ensures a consistent performance.
Convenience
The machine allows you to choose from four pre-programmed drink settings, specifically for making margaritas, daiquiris, coladas and smoothies. It automatically adjusts the amount of shaved ice and blending speed to get the best results. You can also program the maker to mix half-chamber or full-chamber batches. To customise your drink, utilise the manual shave and blend switch to get your preferred consistency and blending. The self-dispensing lever is easy to use, and it even refreshes the mix with a quick swirl when pressed.
Build and Design
The Bali series comes in a top quality brushed metallic housing with polished stainless steel accents. The machine is quite heavy at 22.6 lbs and takes up a fair amount of space
at 12.7 x 18.7 x 22 inches, but makes for a nice display on the kitchen countertop when you have guests over.
If you prefer chilled drinks rather than ice-blended ones, then consider Service Ideas’ CBDT3SS, a cold beverage
dispenser that helps to keep your margaritas (or any other drinks) chill.
Performance and Capacity
Unlike other models on this list, the CBDT3SS does not make frozen drinks. Instead, it comes with two tubes – an ‘infuser’ tube that allows you to create infused drinks with your preferred ingredients, such as tea, herbs, berries or lemon; as well as an ice tube, which helps to cool the drink without diluting it. The infuser also features a containment mechanism so that the spigot does not get clogged. The dispenser has a large capacity of three gallons (384 ounces), making it the perfect choice for big parties. For even bigger gatherings or for commercial use, such as for high-end buffets or beverage stations, there are also five and six gallon models available.
Convenience
The CBDT3SS is convenient to use and assemble. The self-dispensing lever allows you to easily pour out drinks quickly. When not in use, the parts can be disassembled and nested into the body for convenient storage. Since it does not need to run on electricity, it is handy to bring along for outdoor gatherings. The parts are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Build and Design
The dispenser features a stainless steel lid and base, as well as a BPA-free plastic body. The container is safe to use and has the attractive appearance of glass, but the toughness and durability of plastic. You can also choose from several designs, such as rectangular, round or diamond, and colours such as black or silver to match your decor. The unit is space saving, as it is only 8.25 inches wide.
Once you’ve had a Margaritaville Bahamas margarita maker, get-togethers will never be the same without it. It’s the
ideal device for making fun and tropical-inspired party drinks, be it margaritas or pina coladas.
Performance and Capacity
The Bahamas has a blending jar with a capacity of 36 ounces, and with an extra large ice reservoir, you will only need to fill it up once to get up to three pitchers of drinks. A powerful 450-watt motor powers the blades to create fine, shaved ice that gives frozen drinks that smooth, creamy consistency. You can say goodbye to watery, slushy drinks, as the machine has a channel that diverts melting ice away. The machine has excellent performance when it comes to creating fine ice, thanks to the sharp shaving paddle within that shaves it evenly, as well as additional blades that pulverise the ingredients.
Convenience
Using the Bahamas is almost a no-brainer, as it comes with a suite of convenient features that help you to make delicious drinks every time. The blender, for example, has indicators on the side so you can accurately measure out recipes. You can choose to make between one to three drinks using the preset, simply by pressing the Automatic Shave N Blend cycle and letting the machine work its magic. Toggle the Blend Only and Shave Only button, which will allow you to tweak the consistency for a customised drink. The Bahamas is easy to clean and includes dishwasher-safe parts.
Build and Design
At approximately 14 x 9 x 18 inches, the Bahamas has a slim and narrow profile, so it will not take up much space. Made from premium materials, the plastic blending jar is shatter proof so you won’t have to worry about accidental knocks or drops, while the easy-grip handle makes it easy to pour. The machine comes with a one-year limited warranty.
Highlights
Easy to use
Large ice reservoir
Generous capacity
Powerful blades create finely and evenly shaved ice
Durable build
Channel diverts melted ice away, so drinks will not be diluted
Marks on side of blender make it easy to measure out ingredients
Making frozen drinks does not have to be complicated, as demonstrated by the Nostalgia Taco Tuesday machine.
Capable of making margaritas and any type of slush drink, this handy appliance helps you to create iced beverages with ease.
Performance and Capacity
The Taco Tuesday’s design is similar to a regular blender, as it does not have a dedicated ice chamber on top. Instead, users place regular ice cubes into the chamber along with the ingredients, close the lid, and the machine will pulverise it into a fine texture using its strong and sturdy blades. There are some downsides to this, however. Although the machine performs slightly better than regular blenders, it lacks the fine texture that you get from margarita makers that come with a dedicated ice chamber. That being said, the machine is still a worthy buy, considering it has a much lower price point.
Convenience
The machine is a breeze to use – simply throw in the ice cubes, liquor, drink mix or fruit, and blend. The jar doubles as a dispenser, with an easy-flow spout that minimises spills. Another convenient feature is the detachable cup rest where you can place your glass, as well as a drip tray underneath the spout to catch messes. Cleaning is also easy, as the blending chamber detaches from the base.
Design and Build
Many margarita machines are quite heavy and difficult to move, but the Taco Tuesday is very lightweight at just 6 lbs. It is also space saving, measuring 19 x 9.25 x 9.25 inches. There are two fun colours to choose from, namely red and green. At the bottom of the unit is a cord storage compartment, so you can neatly tuck it away when not in use.
Another offering by Nostalgia, the Retro series is a practical, easy to use and affordably priced machine that will
appeal to lovers of classic designs. Not only does it make margaritas, you can also use it for any sort of frozen beverage, be it pina coladas, ice blended coffee, vanilla frappucinos and even healthy smoothies.
Performance and Capacity
If you need to unwind with a cold glass on a hot summer’s day, this small and trusty unit will come in handy. With a capacity of 40 ounces, the Nostalgia Retro may have a smaller capacity compared to other margarita makers on the market – but it does a remarkable job at producing consistent and reliable results, and is more than enough to cater for intimate gatherings and personal use.
Convenience
The Retro is extremely easy to use, as all you will need to do is add regular ice cubes into the chamber on top and add ingredients to the blending chamber, which conveniently comes with markers to help you measure the exact amounts. Then, lock the jar into place, close the lid of the ice chamber, and use the dial to set it to either snow or shave mode. Snow produces a coarser texture for drinks like margaritas, while the slush mode is more appropriate for smoothies as it has a very fine consistency. The stirring paddle also mixes the ingredients as the ice is gradually dispensed into the blending jar. Parts like the ice chamber and blending jar are detachable for easy cleaning.
Build and Design
If you need to pop over to a friend’s place for a party and are in need for a frozen drinks mixer to liven up the party, then the Retro is the way to go as it weighs just over 4lbs, with a compact and portable design. Despite its lightweight, it is fairly durable, with strong stainless steel blades that expertly shave your ice down to a fine texture. The jar is made from high quality plastic, which is shatter proof, and the ergonomic handle makes it easy to pour out contents without spilling. The retro look and red hue also gives it a nostalgic appeal, adding a touch of fun and colour to any kitchen.
A fun and engaging margarita maker comes in the form of Nostalgia’s SM32RR slush machine, which is sure to be a
talking point for guests.
Performance and Capacity
Designed specifically for slushies, the SM32RR boasts a large 32-ounce blending jar that doubles as a drinks dispenser, so it works well for large gatherings, parties or as a beverage station at the buffet line. While you won’t be able to add in chunks of fruit or ingredients like with other margarita makers, adding any slushie mix will produce results that are just as delicious. Ice can be added into the aluminium canister, which freezes the mix, while plastic dashers work by scraping off the frozen mixture repeatedly.
Convenience
The SM32RR is fairly easy to use, as all it requires is a pre-mix, ice, salt for freezing, and cold water. Getting the mix right, however, requires some practice. If there is too much water and not enough sugar, or not enough salt is added into the mix, it will freeze up too fast or might not freeze up at all. It also takes time for the machine to work, so it is best to prepare your slushies before guests arrive. To make it easier, utilise the 3-way control switch on the side to switch between freezing and dispensing modes, or to turn the machine off. Utilise the easy-flow spout which easily dispenses your frozen drink, so you don’t have to worry about making a mess while pouring. The tank also detaches for easy cleaning.
Build and Design
The SM32RR has a see-through plastic lid which makes it convenient to monitor its progress, and makes for fun viewing as you can watch the slush pile up. The lid is also designed with two separate openings so you can add ice, salt or your preferred beverage as needed. The base has a nook which you can use to secure the appliance cord underneath when not in use. Also included is a detachable cup rest and a drip tray for easy clean up.
