Margarita Ice Cream

Margarita Ice Cream with Cottage Cheese

I’ve been making ice cream recipes in my Ninja Creami for YEARS and people always ask me if it’s worth it. The answer is YES, because you can pretty much make ice cream out of anything and truly makes it soooo creamy! And I love it for making healthier, better-for-you version of my favorites. So I decided to create an entire Instagram series around it! And today we’re starting with margarita ice cream.

This refreshing ice cream is both hydrating and protein-forward, which is perfect for summer! I love that it can be made in minutes with just 5 simple ingredients, and you’d never even know that it’s made with cottage cheese. With a bright, fruity flavor and just the right amount of sweetness, everyone in my house is currently obsessed. It’s perfect for warm days and makes for a fun treat that doesn’t lead to a sugar crash later. You can even add a splash of tequila for a grown-up twist!

Let me know what flavors you want to see next! 

You’ll Also Love: Cottage Cheese Egg Bites and Cottage Cheese Protein Brownies!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Margarita Taste, Ice Cream Texture – The coconut cream creates a thick, smooth mouthfeel, and the fresh citrus infuses every bite with a bright, sweet, fruity taste you’ll love! 
• Protein + Hydrating Electrolytes – Free from the processed sugars and additives found in most store-bought ice cream, this margarita ice cream is naturally refined sugar-free and provides 8 grams of protein per serving.
• Versatile – Adjust the sweetness, add different toppings, or even try a boozy margarita ice cream. The options are endless and always delicious! 
• Great to Prep Ahead – Ninja Creami recipes need to be prepped ahead of time. So, I like to prepare several pints at once, keeping them in the freezer to whip up whenever a craving hits!

RELATED: Whipped Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients

• Lime – Using lime juice and lime zest is key to creating a classic margarita taste. 
• Orange Juice – This enhances the citrusy flavor and adds a touch of sweetness that balances some of the tartness of the lime. Freshly squeezed orange juice is best, but store-bought also works. 
• Sweetener – Agave or maple syrup both work great. Agave is more traditional for a true margarita flavor, but maple syrup adds a little more depth. Use whichever you like best! 
• Salt – This enhances the flavor of the rest of the ingredients. 
• Cottage Cheese – I prefer to use full-fat cottage cheese for a more decadent taste and creamier consistency, but any percentage will work. 
• Coconut Cream – Use full-fat canned coconut cream to create a thick, creamy consistency. 

How to Make Margarita Ice Cream with the Ninja Creami

One of my favorite things about Creami recipes is that there is no churning required. All you need is a blender, a Ninja Creami pint container, and a Ninja Creami, of course. Here’s how to make Margarita Ice Cream: 

1. Combine – Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. 
2. Freeze – Pour the mixture into a Ninja Creami pint container, and freeze overnight. 
3. Blend – Use the Ninja Creami “Sorbet” setting to mix the ice cream, adding a splash of coconut cream as needed to create a smooth consistency. Enjoy! 

Alternative Prep Option (No Ninja Creami Needed!) 

Don’t have a Ninja Creami? No problem! You can still make this margarita ice cream with a blender:

1. Blend – Combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. 
2. Freeze – Pour the ice cream mixture into an ice cube tray, and freeze until solid. This takes at least 4-6 hours, but I recommend freezing overnight for the best results! 
3. Blend again – Transfer the frozen cubes to a high-speed blender or food processor, and blend again until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add an extra splash of coconut cream as needed to blend everything completely. 
4. Serve – Enjoy right away for a soft-serve consistency. Or, freeze the ice cream for 1-2 hours if you prefer a firmer consistency. 

Tips

• Use fresh citrus. Always. The most important tip! Fresh lime juice and zest make a huge difference in flavor. Bottled juice just won’t have the same brightness.
• Don’t skip the zest. Lime zest adds extra citrus flavor without making the ice cream too tart. Just make sure to avoid the white part, known as the pith, which can be pretty bitter! 
• Adjust the lime. This recipe is pretty lime-forward, which I personally love. It you want the ice cream flavor to cut through more, you may back off on the lime zest just a bit!
• Freeze flat if possible. A level surface helps the mixture freeze evenly, which makes it easier to blend with the Creami.  
• Re-spin if needed. If the texture of your ice cream looks crumbly after the first spin, just run the “Sorbet” setting or “Re-spin” setting again until it’s smooth and creamy.

RELATED: Pistachio Cottage Cheese Ice Cream

Variations

Spicy Margarita Ice Cream. Add a few slices of jalapeño or a pinch of chili powder before blending for a sweet and spicy taste.

Strawberry. Blend in 1/2-1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries for a fruity twist.

Mango Margarita. Swap the orange juice for mango juice, or add frozen mango chunks for a tropical flavor.

Pineapple Margarita. Add 1/2 cup of pineapple chunks or pineapple juice for a sweeter taste. 

Coconut Margarita. Use full coconut milk instead of coconut cream, and add shredded coconut flakes for extra coconut flavor.

Boozy Version. Add 4-5 tablespoons of tequila for a true margarita vibe, just note that the texture will be a little softer. 

Sweetener. Add an extra tablespoon of agave or maple syrup if you love super-sweet margaritas. Or, substitute honey for a slightly more floral taste. 

Serving Suggestions

If I’m being honest, I typically eat my margarita ice cream straight from the pint. Or, I scoop it into bowls for the family, adding fun toppings like a sprinkle of flaky salt, sugar, or Tajín to replicate a tasty rimmed drink, a drizzle of agave, lime zest, coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or fresh fruit. 

If you want to get creative, scoop your ice cream into cones. Or, enjoy it as a float with a splash of sparkling water or kombucha for a fizzy twist.

How to Store

Once frozen, you can store unblended pints in the freezer for 1-2 weeks. Then, just blend them when you’re ready to serve. Or, if you have leftovers, store your blended margarita ice cream in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week. Press a piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper directly on top before sealing to help prevent freezer burn. 

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