The 7 Best Blender for Frozen Margaritas in 2024 (Review)

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There’s no time you can’t enjoy a glass of iced, cold margarita. It’s always good company, be it in the shade under the sunny summer or beside the warm fire on a cold winter. And if you have the best blender for frozen margaritas, you can make the frosty drink right from your kitchen anytime.

In fact, a good portable blender for travel should be able to handle the mini ice cubes very well. So, you can continue to enjoy your favorite margarita slushy flavor during your road trip or even when camping.

Anyway, in this review, I’ve put together everything you need to know of a good blender for blending frozen margaritas. That includes a few tips on how to tell if your intended machine can handle the task for a few days or many years.

Regular vs Dedicated Blender for Frozen Margaritas

In general, there are many types of blenders in the market. One type you might not know about is a dedicated frozen concoction maker, which is primarily to make the famous frozen margaritas.

In terms of design, this blender is more like the slush machine we mentioned when showing you how to make a slushie with a blender. It has a top bowl for shaving the ice into a snowy texture, then a bottom jar (with a blade) to thoroughly mix your concoctions.

Meanwhile, various regular blenders do also handle ice pretty well. The Ninja and Vitamix machines are perfect examples, and maybe even better choices since you can use them for other culinary tasks.

Therefore, your best blender for frozen margaritas can be either of the types, depending on your needs and preferences. But again, my three recommendations come down to:

  1. My Favorite Pick: Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker

Features a 450-watt motor, separate ice shaving bowl, 36-ounce blending jar, automatic shave & blend cycle, and a manual mode

Features a high-power 1500-watt motor, ten variable speed, hardened stainless steel blade, 64-ounce low-profile jar, and solid metal drive system

Features a razor-sharp total crushing blade, 72-ounce pitcher, 1000-watt motor, three precision blending speeds, and dedicated pulse function

Important Notes:

When making frozen Margarita with a regular blender, it’s vital to remember you need to achieve a slushy consistency. So, it will be great to work with manual controls to gain better control over your ingredients.

Of course, some blender models from Vitamix and Ninja and Blendtec have a preset program for frozen treats. But again, this program comprises a timed blending cycle, thereby might be inaccurate in some cases, especially when working with small batches.

Comparing the Features, Pros, and Cons of Various blenders for Frozen Margaritas

Blender BrandMotor Power OutputBlender Jar CapacityDimensions in Inches
Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker400 Watts36 Ounces9.9 by 15.9 by 21.2
Vitamix 7500 Red G-Series Blender1500 watts64 Ounces7.7 by 9.4 by 17.5
Blendtec Total Classic Preprogrammed Blender1570 Watts36 Ounces7.0 by 8.0 by 15.5
Ninja BL610 Total Crushing 72-oz Blender1000 Watts72 Ounce7.5 by 9.5 by 17.3
Nostalgia Aqua Deluxe Margarita & Slush Maker150 Watts160 Ounces10.0 by 12.0 by 19.2
Hamilton Beach (58148A) Crush Ice Blender700 Watts40 Ounces8.5 by 8.6 by 14.7
Nutribullet 1200W Traditional 64-oz Blender1200 Watts64 Ounces7.7 by 8.1 by 16.9
    

My Favorite Pick: Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker

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The Margaritaville Bahamas is my overall best blender for margaritas. As a dedicated machine for icy concoctions, it has everything you’d want to make the slushy tequila mixture yourself, even if you’ve never done it before.

The blender has a contemporary design, starting with a no-brainer mixer to help you add the right ingredients quantity for your margarita recipe. This mixer connects with the main blending jar so you can transfer your cocktail mixture with ease.

Meanwhile, there’s a 400-watt motor that works for both shaving the ice and blending. The blender has an automated blend cycle that allows it to perform the two tasks simultaneously when you press the start button.

However, you can also use the integrated trigger to only shave the ice- perhaps for snow cones for the kids. The ice hopper at the top has a capacity enough for one blending jar- approximately 36 ounces. But you can easily add more if you want your drink denser and more slushy.

Pros:

  • It’s easy to set up and operate
  • Feels well-built and durable
  • Supports walk-away blending
  • Shaves the ice finely and evenly
  • Comes with all the accessories needed
  • It can also make frozen/ regular smoothies

Cons:

  • It’s a lot of parts to clean
  • Quite bulky to carry around
  • Doesn’t fit in most kitchen cabinets

Best of Value: Vitamix 7500 Red G-Series Low-Profile Blender

Vitamix, Red 7500 Blender, Professional-Grade, 64 oz. Low-Profile...
  • Variable Speed Control: Ten variable speeds allow you to refine every texture with culinary...
  • Pulse Feature: Layer coarse chops over smooth purées for heartier recipes, such as chunky salsas or...

Vitamix is the most talked-about brand when it comes to high-quality blenders, either for consumer or commercial use. Of course, it’s relatively expensive to own, but you can go for many years before you need to buy another blender.

In fact, the Vitamix 7500 here comes with a standard (free) warranty of seven years, which covers everything. That includes even the shipping fees in case you needed to replace the motor base, jar, or any other components.

In the question of performance, the blender has a powerful 2.2-horsepower motor and hardened stainless steel blades. Thus, can pummel through large ice cubes without liquid and give you smooth, snowy ice in seconds.

The blender has all manual controls, including a pulse function switch and the center dial for the variable speed setting. So, no automated blending cycles for walk-away convenience.

Pros:

  • It has a well-made, durable design
  • Crushes all ice fast and consistently
  • Very easy to set up and operate
  • It can slip under the 18-inch cabinet
  • You can make hot soups if interested
  • It has a metal drive gear that won’t break

Cons:

  • It’s very expensive
  • Tricky to use for small batches
  • Doesn’t have suction cups on the bottom

Best of Design: Blendtec Total Classic Pre-Programmed Blender

Blendtec Total Blender Classic - Includes FourSide Jar (75 oz) -...
  • Kitchen Countertop Blender: Professional-grade blender uses 1-touch buttons to control the 6...
  • Preprogrammed Blender Cycles: Do more in the kitchen with this blender's preprogrammed cycles for...

The Blendtec Total Classic is another great blender for frozen margaritas that you can choose for your kitchen. Although it’s an old model, it’s still one of the best if you need a high-quality machine with a bonus of automated blending cycles.

The blending cycles are six of them, including one for frozen treats like slushy margaritas for adults or snow ones for the kids. But like I said before, the program won’t be always effective, especially when making your personalized concoctions or small batches.

Even then, though, the blender has an integrated digital display that shows the time-lapse during manual or automated bending. The manual blending controls include a dedicated pulsing feature, plus up to ten variable speeds. Thus, giving you total control over your ingredients for a smooth and even consistency.

Moreover, the Blendtec blender will make your desired frozen margaritas by pummeling through the icy mixture. Hence, the reason it has a high-power motor but a totally blunt stainless steel blade.

Pros:

  • It has a solid, durable build
  • Supports walk-away blending
  • Handles ice and frozen fruits well
  • Can make hot blends if interested
  • Easy to track the blending progress
  • It has a metal drive gear that doesn’t disintegrate

Cons:

  • It’s super loud when crashing ice
  • Relatively expensive to own
  • The wide jar struggles on small amounts

Best of under $100: Ninja BL610 Total Crushing 72-oz Blender

Sale
Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop 1000-Watt Base and...
  • PROFESSIONAL POWER: 1000 watts of professional power can crush ice and breakdown any tough...
  • XL CAPACITY: The 72 oz professional blender pitcher is excellent for making frozen drinks and creamy...

Indeed, the Ninja here is the best blender for frozen margaritas if you have a limited budget. It is also has a large blending capacity, thanks to the 72-ounce jar and the famous total crushing stacked blade system.

The blender is able to crush the ice without having to add water, but you have to remember it processes materials by chopping. So, it would be better to prepare your margarita mixture right from the pitcher for the liquid to ease the stress on the motor.

Speaking of the motor, the blender offers up to 1000-watt power output. Then, it has only manual controls, including a pulse button and three precision speeds.

It’s also worth noting that the manufacturer didn’t design this blender to work with the Nutri Ninja cups. Thus, it might be tricky to make single frozen margaritas and other small batches of concoctions.

Pros:

  • It has a reasonable pricing
  • Blends ice fast and efficiently
  • Comes apart for an easy cleanup
  • Features a safety locking system
  • Has easy-to-use one-touch buttons
  • The Pitcher’s clear enough to see content

Cons:

  • It has plastic drive gear/ coupling
  • Tricky to blend small amounts
  • The blades can easily cause injuries

Best for Large Batches: Nostalgia Aqua Deluxe Margarita & Slush Maker

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Nostalgia Frozen Drink Maker and Margarita Machine for Home -...
3,394 Reviews
Nostalgia Frozen Drink Maker and Margarita Machine for Home -...
  • VERSATILE BLENDING: Enjoy refreshing ice-cold drinks at home with this easy-to-use frozen drink...
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The Nostalgia Aqua Deluxe can also be a nice addition to your kitchen. Not only does it make great margaritas, but also has a large pitcher that makes up to 15 servings for a party or large family gathering.

Even better, the blender has a tap-like spout at the bottom of the pitcher to fill your serving glasses smoothly without making a mess. Then, there’s an ergonomic handle that works on securing the lid in position and also carrying the device around.

As for the performance part, the margarita blender has a 150-watt motor, which, of course, isn’t the best. But still delivers and finely shaves the icy mixture into a smooth, slurry drink. It also has only a single on/ off switch, thereby anyone can operate.

Pros:

  • It has a reasonable price tag
  • Can make large batches at once
  • Easy to move around the house
  • Delivers fine and consistent slushies
  • Has a removable lid plug to add content
  • It’s quick to set up and easy to operate

Cons:

  • It takes longer to blend
  • Uses a plastic drive gear
  • Doesn’t fit in the standard cabinet

Alternative 1: Hamilton Beach (58148A) Crush Ice Blender

Hamilton Beach Power Elite Wave Action Blender For Shakes and...
  • POWERFUL BLENDING PERFORMANCE: With 700 watts of peak blending power and stainless steel Ice Sabre...
  • ULTRA-SMOOTH RESULTS WITH PATENTED WAVE ACTION SYSTEM: As you blend, ingredients are continuously...

Hamilton Beach is another top provider of affordable kitchen appliances. The blender 58148A is one of the bestsellers from the company, and for a good reason.

First, the machine sells around forty bucks yet performs as the other standard blenders. If we start with the performance, it usually processes the materials by chopping them at a fast speed.

The blender has a glass blending jar with ice “sabre” blades that combines their sharp edges with the Patented Wave Action system. So, it can handle small ice cubes (not regular cubes) for your frozen treats well.

Different from other brands, though, Hamilton designed the blender without the usual variable speed setting or control panel. Instead, it has five dedicated buttons that you can use to pulse or continuously blend your ice and margarita mixtures.

Pros:

  • It’s very affordable
  • Straightforward to use
  • Can make single margaritas
  • Easy to clean the blade area
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • It requires less space to use or store

Cons:

  • The lid can be hard to take off
  • It has a plastic drive gear system
  • Might struggle on regular-size ice cubes

Alternative 2: Nutribullet 1200W Traditional 64-oz Blender

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Indeed, the Nutribullet traditional blender can also process frozen margaritas pretty well and effectively. It’s relatively similar to the Nutribullet Combo, which usually comes with a 1200-watt motor and a 64-ounce blending jar.

The pitcher uses a sharp stainless steel blade that the maker has designed to process the ingredients with cyclonic action. So, it’s able to process all your margarita ingredients with optimal and even consistency.

As for the operation, the blender supports only manual blending, which you can control with the four one-touch buttons available. The said buttons include pulsing and toggling between the low, medium, and high blending speeds.

Note, while the traditional blender is similar to the Nutribullet Combo, it doesn’t have the preprogrammed “Extract” blending cycle. Its motor is also not compatible with the single-serve blending cups, thereby you can mostly make medium to large batches.

Pros:

  • It has a reasonable budget
  • Blends material fast and efficiently
  • Fits under the standard cabinet nicely
  • Comes with a tamper to assist in blending
  • It has bottom suction cups for firmer blending

Cons:

  • It features plastic drive gear
  • The low-speed setting is still very fast
  • It may take longer to pulverize regular-size ice

Quick Guide: 5 Crucial Features In The Best Blender For Frozen Margaritas

Different from the regular cocktail mixes, a frozen margarita will require you to blend ice with the rest of the ingredients. If you’re looking for a good blender for the task, that means you’ll need to focus on features including, but not limited to:

  • Motor Power:

Ice is one of the hardest ingredients, and not every blender can fully pulverize it. In fact, most of the regular blenders under $100 will last for a year or less if you happen to blend ice cubes a lot.

So, I’d recommend you either invest in a dedicated margarita maker or a regular but powerful blender that won’t fail you on the first day. Vitamix and Blendtec are excellent high-power blenders that actually crush the ice by “pummeling” through it instead of chopping.

  • Crushing Blades:

The blades of your blender will also need to be strong enough to hit on the ice blocks without breaking. Otherwise, you’ll be surprised to find a piece of metal in your glass of margarita as you’re serving.

Note, the blade should also be able to blend as it pulls the top ingredient down to ensure a thorough pulverization. This is one of the reasons Vitamix, Blendtec, and Ninja blenders excel very well in crushing ice without liquid.

  • Pulse Function:

Yes, the pulsing button is very crucial in a blender for frozen margaritas. For one, it can give you total control over your mixture, whereby you achieve a perfect slushie without blending it into a creamy texture.

Also, the pulse button can help jam-start your blender when the blade is experiencing a high initial resistance. Thus, reducing the chances of stressing and burning out the motor.

  • Blending Jar

Indeed, the container is also important as it decides the maximum amount of frozen margaritas you can make at once. If it’s the Margaritaville Bahamas blender, the blending jar can hold about 4.5 cups of blends, enough for three or four people. Then, the Ninja total crushing pitcher has a capacity of 72 ounces, which is enough for at least seven or eight people.

  • Sturdy Construction:

Again, the ice you use for your frozen margaritas is usually very hard. If you have a blender with a lot of plastic parts, especially the drive gear, it can wear out very fast if you happen to use it a lot.

Therefore, consider a blender with at least a metal drive gear, tough blades, and a strong motor if you’re hoping to be making the frozen treats regularly.

Common Related Questions:

Do you need a special blender for margaritas?

High-power blenders like Vitamix and Blendtec can handle regular ice cubes with no issue. Also, many of the standard blenders in the market can handle small ice cubes or ice that has been crushed with a mallet. So, you necessarily don’t need to buy a special blender for margaritas if it’s not something you really need.

Does the ninja make good margaritas?

Yes, indeed, the Ninja blender does make good margaritas. It’s the overall best budget blender for ice, thanks to its total crushing blade with sharp edges. In a test, it even turns the ice into snow when blending without water. The only problem, though, is that the brand still uses plastic drive gear, which isn’t promising in terms of durability.

Can you make margaritas in a blender?

A simple answer, YES. But to make margaritas in a blender, you’ll also need to make sure the blade and motor can both handle the ice cubes without breaking down midway.

What’s the best margarita blender?

In truth, the best margarita blender for you depends on individual requirements and preferences. However, in the article, I’ve put together seven different options, with both the regular and special blender for frozen margaritas. They include:

  1. My Favorite Pick: Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker
  2. Best of Value: Vitamix 7500 Red G-Series Low-Profile Blender
  3. Best of under $100: Ninja BL610 Total Crushing 72-oz Blender

Final Thoughts:

In truth, having a blender that can shave ice is truly worthwhile. Not just to make the frozen margaritas, but other cold desserts as well, including snow cones for the kids or diet slushies when on ketogenesis.

Anyway, this review has been all about the best blender for frozen margaritas. The Margaritaville Bahamas frozen concoction maker and Vitamix 7500 are my two favorite picks as they shave the ice finely and evenly. Also, the two brands have a well-made, durable design, albeit you’ll have to dig a little deep into your pockets to grab either of them.