It’s time for cocktail hour. Do you go with a skinny margarita made with lots of fresh citrus? Or do you opt for a traditional French aperitif? When one can not choose, I say live on the wild side and have the best of both!

It’s true there’s nothing inherently French about a margarita. But with the help of Lillet Blanc, fresh citrus, and a champagne coup, this cocktail has me feeling très française. Dare we call this a skinny French margarita? 

A traditional margarita recipe

When I think of margaritas, there are two versions in my head. The first is an oversized (and over-served) margarita made for beach vacations and bad decisions. The second is a refreshing cocktail made with fresh lime juice and natural sweeteners to be enjoyed over time. The latter is for me. A traditional margarita is made by mixing blanco tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice. Alternatively, some margarita recipes replace Cointreau with other orange flavored liqueurs such as triple sec or Grand Marnier.

What makes a margarita skinny? 

The skinny margarita aims to replace the orange liqueur with fresh orange juice and agave nectar in an effort to reduce the number of calories consumed. Given that I’m no longer in my college day prime, I’d say any opportunity to reduce calories while enjoying a drink is favorable. 

How do we give the skinny margarita a French twist? 

I took a tip from David Lebovitz’s book Drinking French and reached for the bottle of Lillet Blanc in my refrigerator. As David says, Lillet Blanc has “an appealing mix of sweet and sour oranges” in this white wine aperitif. If you compare the perfume of blanco tequila next to that of Lillet Blanc, you’ll notice that they compliment each other. Adding fresh orange juice to this cocktail also elevates the orange flavor in a refreshing way that is not overly sweet.

Use a champagne coup 

When it comes time to serving this French take on a margarita, I’d recommend a chilled champagne coup. It’s similar in shape to a traditional margarita glass and believed to be molded on a breast. Who’s bosom you might ask? According to Food52, the list of rumored suspects vary - from Helen of Troy, to Marie Antoinette, or some say Madame de Pompadour (the royal mistress of King Louis XV). 

A few minutes before making your cocktail, place the champagne coup in the freezer to chill. It will help keep you French margarita cold as you sip it during l’apero. While I prefer not to salt the rim of my glass, you certainly could! Here’s a really helpful article from MasterClass on how to do so.

Tequila and I have come a long way since my college days. Thanks to cocktails like the paloma and this margarita, it’s enjoyed on a much more sophisticated level - with fresh citrus, sipped slowly, and enjoyed during my home version of the French cocktail hour. 

Do you have a favorite tequila cocktail you make at home? Leave a comment to let me know! 

Skinny French Margarita Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 ounces Lillet Blanc

• 1 ounce blanco tequila (also called silver tequila)

• 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed orange juice (about 1/2 of a large orange)

• 1/2 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice (1 lime)

• 1/2 tsp of raw agave syrup 

• Half of an orange or lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. 

• Add the Lillet Blanc, orange juice, lime juice, and agave syrup. 

• Shake until well chilled. 

• Strain into a chilled coup, and garnish with the half wheel of lime or orange slice.