4 Must-Haves for a Self-Serve Margarita Bar Guests Will Love

Spring, summer, or winter—it doesn't matter what time of the year it is, you can't go wrong with a margarita to kick off any party. It's easy to just grab a mix and call it a day, but there's something special about taking things up a notch and putting a full margarita bar on display. Whether you're a fan of classic or frozen margaritas, we've got a full lineup of margarita party ideas including fantastic flavors, tasty rim options (there's more than just salt!), and garnishes to take your drink to the next level. And with endless combinations, this margarita bar will definitely be the life of the party.

How to Make a Margarita Bar

It's no secret our Test Kitchen loves making margaritas. If you're wanting a fun drink station for a barbecue or taco night with friends, grab your glasses, and pitchers to set up a margarita bar using the following items to complete a truly impressive spread.

1. Provide a Variety of Fruit

Mango margaritas, anyone? While classic lime is delicious, you can give your margarita a fruity twist by trying one of these blends:

• Strawberry-Banana: Blend one 16-oz. package of frozen unsweetened whole strawberries and 1 medium banana until smooth; if desired, strain to remove seeds.
• Mango: Blend 3 cups of sliced mangoes until smooth.
• Blackberry: Blend one 16-oz. package of frozen unsweetened blackberries until smooth; if desired, strain to remove seeds.
• Watermelon: Blend 5 cups of seedless watermelon until smooth.

2. Add Some Margarita Mix-Ins

Make your margarita bar even more special by trying one of these boozy mix-ins in addition to tequila:

• Blackberry-flavor brandy
• Coconut-flavor rum
• Sparkling wine or water (for a non-alcoholic option)

3. Margarita Rim Ideas

You don't have to stick to just salt for the rim. Give your margarita some heat by using chili powder, or satisfy your sweet tooth by using sugar. Impress your guests by providing these rimmers as options:

• Superfine granulated sugar or powdered sugar (try colored sugars to match the occasion)
• Coarse salt or cocktail salt
• Lime, lemon, or orange zest
• Chili powder
• Tajin

4. Margarita Garnishes

No margarita is complete without a pretty fruit garnish. But you don't have to stick to classic lime. Instead, give some of these fruits a try:

• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Sliced peaches
• Lime, lemon, and/or orange wedges or wheels

Try mixing up your margaritas even more by trying our favorite recipe variations. If you like, whip up a few margarita-inspired treats in the form of cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, and even shrimp nachos.