The 10 Best Margarita Machines
Special Honors
SaniServe Model 707 Capable of making eight gallons per hour of slushie-style beverages, the chances of you running out are slim, no matter how busy your bar or convenience store is. It is an air-cooled, countertop model that uses R404A refrigerant to bring your mixture down to near-frozen temperatures, and then keep them that way indefinitely. saniserv.com
Vollrath VCBA118-37 If counter space is an issue at your bar, the Vollrath VCBA118-37 is a smart choice. Despite being less than eight inches wide, it has a 1.6-gallon capacity and a large freezing surface for efficient operation. It is easy to use and maintain, and can be used to make alcoholic or non-alcoholic treats. webstaurantstore.com
Editor's Notes
November 28, 2020:
Few drinks are more iconic of tropical locations than the famed margarita. And, if you want to make one the way it is supposed to be served, either on the rocks or in a smooth, slushie-like consistency, then you should turn to one of the machines on this list, rather than that blender you have sitting on your kitchen counter.
When it comes to home use and making the frozen variety, few companies make machines that can stand up to those from Margaritaville. This probably shouldn't come as a surprise since the whole company is based around the tropical lifestyle ubiquitous with these frosty beverages. We've included three options from them, but the Margaritaville Tahiti DM3000 is our favorite due to its attractive design and the ability to make three frozen beverages simultaneously. It also features a handy pull-out recipe board in case your cocktail knowledge isn't quite up to par. We must admit though, that the Margaritaville Bali DM3500 is a bit more visually intriguing thanks to its spiral display on the front that the beverage passes through as it's being dispensed.
For the on-the-rocks variety, we still have the Bartesian Premium, which we previously recommended for its convenience and ease of use. However, we like the Keurig Drinkworks Home Bar, a new addition, even more, as it takes those features a step further. While the Bartesian Premium requires you to fill reservoirs with your alcohol of choice, the pods for the Keurig Drinkworks Home Bar already come with the alcohol inside of them. Of course, some may find that to be a downside if they have a preferred liquor they enjoy. If you only plan on making margaritas on the rocks, and you want full control over the ingredients you use, and the ratios, you can always turn to the trusty old cocktail shaker.
November 12, 2019:
Margaritas are fantastic when made right, but a poorly made one just isn't worth the trouble. We've all been in the situation where we tried to make a frozen beverage with a regular home blender, only to find our cup is filled with a mixture of liquid and large chunks of ice, rather than a smooth slushie-like drink. Well, with one of these margarita machines you'll never have to deal with that again.
Here's a bit about what is new on the list this year. The SharkNinja QB1000 was eliminated because it is essentially the same as the Ninja Master Prep QB900B and we couldn't see any reason to keep them both on the list. We also got rid of the Bibo Barmaid System because most people didn't find it worth the money, considering that it didn't even mix the drinks for you, and many also seemed to not enjoy the flavor of the cocktail pouches. It was replaced with the Bartesian Premium, which does actually fully mix the beverages for you, so all you have to do is add ice. There is also more cocktail varieties available from for this brand and people seem to enjoy the taste of them better than the Bibo's, which isn't a surprise considering they contain real juices, extracts, and bitters.
We also felt the need to remove the Nostalgia HSB590 due to complaints of it breaking after just a few uses and being overly loud. Speaking of being loud, if that is what is holding you back from getting a margarita machine, we have a few models that solve that issue. If you want something that also doubles as a home blender, you can get the Hamilton Beach Quiet Shield 58870. While not exactly silent, it is quieter than most ice blending machines. The other option is to go with a slushie maker like the Margarita Girl XC212, Margarita Girl XC16, and Bravo Italia BG212, since they freeze your beverage mix, rather than chopping up ice cubes.
Of course, some may find these models to be a bit of an eyesore for smaller events or everyday use, in which case we recommend the slightly louder, but significantly more attractive Margaritaville Tahiti DM3000, Margaritaville Jimmy Buffet Signature Edition, or Margaritaville Bali DM3500.
The World's Best Machine
All of the ingredients will be smoothly blended, and the delicious frozen drink can be easily sipped from the glass or through a straw.
The original margarita machine was based on the model of a soft serve ice cream maker and dispenser. A margarita machine must simultaneously crush or shave ice and blend all of the necessary ingredients to make the perfect frozen margarita. They are designed to hold the margaritas, re-blend them, and keep them fresh for a number of hours so people can enjoy them all day long.
When it is functioning properly, a margarita machine won't leave behind large chunks of ice in the drink. All of the ingredients will be smoothly blended, and the delicious frozen drink can be easily sipped from the glass or through a straw.
Since the United States is the number one tequila market worldwide, it stands to reason the margarita is one of the most popular drinks.
Americans drink an average of 185,000 margaritas per hour. It can be assumed that a large number of those are frozen margaritas, meaning that margarita machines across the country are working over time to get people the perfect frozen drink.
Many of the margarita machines featured here come with settings for blending not only margaritas but also daquiris, pina coladas, smoothies, and other popular frozen drinks.
Don't forget to celebrate National Margarita Day on February 22nd!
How To Buy A Margarita Machine
You have a lot of options for making margaritas. You can choose to simply use an average blender, or you can upgrade to a restaurant grade margarita machine that automatically keeps your drinks cool for several hours. The majority of machines featured on this page fall somewhere in between these two extremes.
Once you get your recipe just right, you will be able to combine it with your chosen machine to create the best possible margaritas.
Maybe you're wondering what the difference is between an average blender and a blender designed specifically for margaritas. After all, it's quite a difference in price. So, is purchasing a margarita blender worth it?
The short answer is: Yes.
This can wear out the blades or burn up the blender motor more quickly than would happen with a margarita blender.
A margarita or other frozen drink blender is designed specifically for crushing and blending ice to a smooth, delicious consistency. While this can sometimes be done by the average blender, it is often not meant to be used for that purpose on a consistent basis. This can wear out the blades or burn up the blender motor more quickly than would happen with a margarita blender.
When you're shopping for a margarita blender, the most expensive isn't necessarily the best choice. The final decision depends on your individual needs and how often you plan to use the blender to make frozen drinks. If you only plan to use it for special occasions, a less expensive model might be right for you. If you host regular parties and enjoy frozen drinks on a daily or semi daily basis, go with one of the more durable, high capacity models.
When you're trying to make your decision, look for factors like ease of using the controls and how simple it will be to clean. It's an added bonus if it has parts that are dishwasher safe. Check out the warranty and customer service and return policies before you buy. Convenience is a big factor when making an expensive purchase.
Make sure that you evaluate your specific needs when you are deciding on a margarita machine that is right for you.
Martinez: An American Hero
The world's first frozen margarita machine was invented by Mariano Martinez in Dallas, Texas in 1971. He was inspired by the frozen slushy machines at the local 7-11 and eventually converted an old soft serve ice cream machine into frozen margarita magic.
The biggest problem he had faced was making blended drinks fast enough for his eager customers, and this machine helped to solve that problem.
Martinez debuted the machine in the restaurant that he opened that same year, and it was an instant hit. The biggest problem he had faced was making blended drinks fast enough for his eager customers, and this machine helped to solve that problem. His Mexican restaurant was one of the most popular food and drink destinations in Dallas.
Martinez did not patent the machine, and as a result, word spread of his invention and others began to copy it and improve on it. A frozen drink machine quickly became a staple in many bars and restaurants licensed to serve liquor.
This, in turn, increased the demand for tequila across the United States and gave a significant boost to the industry.
Today, frozen margaritas are a popular drink that can be ordered in nearly any restaurant, even if it is not listed on the menu. The World's First Frozen Margarita Machine now sits on display in the Smithsonian.