Margarita rim and garnish guide
Use this margarita rim guide to match six salts and sugars to the right flavors, rim cups the easy way, and pick a garnish for every frozen drink you serve.
The right margarita rim matches the drink: salt for tart margaritas, chile seasoning for fruit, and sugar for sweet and dessert flavors. We sell six rim salts and sugars, and each 4 oz package rims about 40 drinks.
Rim chart: six salts and sugars
| Rim | What it is | Best flavors |
|---|---|---|
| Lime Margarita Salt | The classic margarita salt | Lime Margarita, Lemon Gold Margarita, Blue Lemon Gold Margarita |
| Citrus Jalapeño Salt | Citrus salt with a little heat | Pineapple Margarita, Lime Margarita, Mango Margarita |
| Tajín Classic Seasoning | Chile and lime seasoning | Mango Margarita, Peach Margarita, Watermelon, Orange Mango, Cherry Limeade, Green Sour Apple |
| Sweet Heat Cocktail Sugar | Sugar with a kick | Strawberry Margarita, Strawberry Daiquiri, Hurricane, Lemonade, Strawberry Kiwi |
| Chocolate Cocktail Sugar | Chocolate sugar | Mocha Cappuccino, Banana Daiquiri, Strawberry Banana |
| Peppermint Cocktail Sugar | Peppermint sugar | Vanilla, Mocha Cappuccino, holiday slushies |
Some drinks don't need a rim at all. Piña colada, Blue Hawaiian, frosé, peach bellini, and sangria look and taste great with just a fruit garnish.
How to rim a cup
- Pour a thin layer of simple syrup or honey onto a small plate.
- Pour the salt or sugar onto a second plate.
- Turn the cup upside down and dip the rim in the syrup or honey.
- Dip the wet rim in the salt or sugar and rotate gently to coat it.
- Fill the cup from the machine.
Tips for a party
- Rim before guests arrive. Line up a few dozen rimmed cups next to the machine so guests can grab one and pour.
- Rim half the cup. Coat only half the rim so guests can sip from either side.
- Set out a rim station. Put each salt or sugar on its own plate with a small sign, and let guests rim their own cups.
- Keep a damp towel nearby. Wipe stray salt or sugar off the outside of the cup so it stays neat and easy to hold.
- Keep kid cups separate. Use a sugar rim on slushie cups and salt or chile on margarita cups, so the rim itself helps tell drinks apart.
How much rim salt or sugar to buy
Each 4 oz package rims about 40 drinks. Count how many drinks you expect to rim, not how many guests you have, since some guests skip the rim. A party where 80 drinks get a rim needs about two packages. Add rim salts and sugars when you price your party.
Garnish chart
A garnish adds color and tells guests what is in the cup at a glance.
| Flavor | Garnish idea |
|---|---|
| Lime Margarita | Lime wheel |
| Strawberry Margarita | Fresh strawberry slice |
| Mango Margarita | Mango spear dusted with Tajín |
| Pineapple Margarita | Pineapple wedge |
| Lemon Gold Margarita | Lemon wheel |
| Piña Colada | Pineapple wedge and a cherry |
| Strawberry Daiquiri | Fresh strawberry |
| Blue Hawaiian | Pineapple wedge and a paper umbrella |
| Hurricane | Orange slice and a cherry |
| Sangria | Orange wheel and diced apple |
| Frosé | Fresh strawberry or raspberries |
| Peach Bellini | Peach slice |
| Blue Raspberry | Gummy candy on a pick |
| Watermelon | Small watermelon wedge |
| Mocha Cappuccino | Whipped cream and chocolate shavings |
| Vanilla | Sprinkles or whipped cream |
Garnish tips
- Slice fruit the morning of the party and keep it chilled in covered containers.
- Cut a small slit in lime and lemon wheels so they sit on the rim.
- Set garnishes out in small bowls with picks, next to the rimmed cups.
Put it together
Match your rims to your two bowls. A lime margarita and blue raspberry slushie pair works well with Lime Margarita Salt for adults and Chocolate Cocktail Sugar for kids. See more ideas in our two-bowl flavor pairings and the full flavor list.
Ready to plan? Check dates and book online in minutes, or get a quick estimate first.
Questions
How do you rim a margarita cup?
Wet the rim with simple syrup or honey, dip it in the salt or sugar, and rotate gently. Rim the cups just before guests arrive so the edge stays neat.
How many drinks does one package of rim salt cover?
Each 4 oz package rims about 40 drinks. For 80 rimmed drinks, plan on two packages.
Which rim is best for a lime margarita?
Lime Margarita Salt is the classic choice. For a little heat, try Citrus Jalapeño Salt or Tajín Classic Seasoning.
What rim works for kids slushies?
Kids love a sweet rim. Chocolate Cocktail Sugar and Peppermint Cocktail Sugar are the most fun on slushie cups.