Red Robin Premium Margarita: Taste, Price, Calories, and a Copycat Recipe
🍔 Read the Full Menu for Red RobinIf you love a good burger and an even better drink, the Red Robin Premium Margarita lineup is worth your attention. This is Red Robin's top-shelf margarita tier, sitting above the House Margarita, and it's built for people who want real tequila flavor, not just a sweet mixer. In this guide, I'll walk you through what's in it, how it tastes, what it costs, how many calories you're drinking, and whether it's worth ordering on your next visit. I'll also share a step-by-step copycat recipe so you can make it at home.
Red Robin Premium Margarita, served with a salted rim and fresh lime
What Is the Red Robin Premium Margarita?
Red Robin's bar menu splits its margaritas into two tiers. The House Margarita uses a basic blanco tequila with agave and lime juice. The Premium Margarita tier steps things up with better tequila and a more layered pour. This includes drinks like the Casamigos Cadillac Margarita, made with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, agave, fresh lime juice, and a Grand Marnier float on top, and the Ocean Blue Patrón Margarita, made with Silver Patrón Tequila, Cointreau, pineapple juice, coconut, agave, and lime juice.
These premium pours are built for guests who want a real cocktail experience with their burger, not just something sweet and cold. You'll find them on the adult beverages section of the menu, and they pair naturally with a stop at the Happy Hour menu, where drink specials often run alongside appetizer deals.
Taste Review: What Does It Actually Taste Like?
★★★★☆ Bright, citrusy, and smooth with a warm orange finish
The first sip hits you with fresh lime and clean agave sweetness. There's no harsh alcohol bite, which tells you the tequila base is solid. What sets the Premium Margarita apart is the finish. The Grand Marnier float on the Cadillac version adds a rich orange note that lingers after each sip, almost like a orange liqueur dessert wine sitting on top of a classic margarita.
If you order the Ocean Blue Patrón Margarita instead, expect a fruitier, more tropical taste. The pineapple and coconut bring a beachy sweetness, while the lime keeps it from turning into a dessert drink. Both versions are served ice cold, either on the rocks or blended, and both use a light salt rim that you can ask to skip if you prefer it plain.
Compared to the House Margarita, the Premium version tastes smoother and less sharp. You can genuinely taste the tequila instead of just the sour mix. That difference alone justifies the higher price for most tequila drinkers.
Calories, Carbs, and Nutrition Facts
Cocktails are easy to underestimate when it comes to calories, since most of it comes from sugar and mixers rather than food. Here's a general breakdown based on Red Robin's published nutrition data for its premium margarita pours. Actual numbers can shift slightly by location and pour size.
| Nutrition Item | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250–300 kcal |
| Total Carbohydrates | 30–34 g |
| Sugars | 25–30 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Sodium | 40–50 mg |
For reference, that's close to what you'd get from a slice of cake, just in liquid form. If you're watching your intake, ask your server for the drink on the rocks with a light pour of mixer, or stick to one glass and pair it with a lighter meal like the salad menu instead of a full burger and fries combo.
Price: How Much Does It Cost?
Premium margaritas at Red Robin typically run higher than the House Margarita, which sits around $8 at many locations. Expect the Premium tier, including the Casamigos Cadillac Margarita and Ocean Blue Patrón Margarita, to cost roughly $11 to $14, depending on your state and the specific Red Robin location. Prices can shift with local taxes, happy hour timing, and seasonal promotions, so it's smart to check your local menu or the full drinks menu before you order.
You must be 21 or older to order any item from the adult beverages section, and availability can vary by state since alcohol menus are not identical everywhere Red Robin operates.
Burger Extras and What Pairs Well With It
A margarita this bold needs a burger that can stand up to it. Here's what works best on the side:
- Bacon and cheese add-ons. Smoky, salty flavors like hardwood-smoked bacon and melted cheddar balance the citrus and sweetness in the drink.
- Spicy toppings. Jalapeños, pepper jack, and chipotle aioli play off the lime and tequila nicely, since heat and citrus tend to complement each other.
- Classic gourmet burgers. A rich, juicy patty from the gourmet burger menu gives the drink something hearty to cut through.
- Tavern-style double patties. If you want something more filling, the tavern burger lineup brings two patties and classic toppings that hold up well against a strong pour.
Skip anything too sweet on the side, like a milkshake, since two sugary drinks at once can feel like overkill. Instead, save the shake for dessert once your glass is empty.
Is the Red Robin Premium Margarita Worth Ordering?
Short answer: yes, if you actually enjoy the taste of tequila. This isn't a drink built to hide alcohol behind sugar. It's meant to taste like a real margarita, just smoother and better balanced than the basic House option. The price jump is small, usually just a few dollars, and the upgrade in taste is noticeable from the first sip.
Where it's less worth it: if you're ordering purely for the buzz or on a tight budget, the House Margarita gets the job done for less money. But if this is a night out, a birthday, or you're already treating yourself to a full burger meal, the Premium Margarita is the better choice. It also makes a great pair for sharing appetizers off the appetizer menu while you wait for your food.
Copycat Red Robin Premium Margarita Recipe
Can't make it to a Red Robin tonight? Here's a simple copycat version of the Cadillac-style Premium Margarita that you can make at home in under five minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila (Casamigos or a similar smooth blanco works well)
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz agave nectar or agave syrup
- 1/2 oz Grand Marnier (for the float on top)
- Coarse salt, for the rim
- Ice cubes
- 1 lime wedge, for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip it into a small plate of coarse salt to coat the edge.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, fresh lime juice, and agave nectar.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the shaker feels cold to the touch.
- Fill your salt-rimmed glass with fresh ice, then strain the shaken mix over the top.
- Slowly pour the Grand Marnier over the back of a spoon so it floats on top of the drink instead of mixing in right away.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and serve right away, while it's still ice cold.
Tip: For a frozen version, blend the tequila, lime juice, and agave with a cup of ice until smooth, pour into your salted glass, then add the Grand Marnier float on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tequila is used in the Red Robin Premium Margarita?
The Premium tier uses better tequilas than the House option, including Casamigos Blanco Tequila and Silver Patrón Tequila, depending on which specific drink you order.
How many calories are in a Red Robin Premium Margarita?
It generally falls between 250 and 300 calories per serving, mostly from sugar in the mixers and agave rather than fat or protein.
How much does a Red Robin Premium Margarita cost?
Prices usually range from about $11 to $14, though this can change based on your location, local taxes, and any ongoing drink specials.
Can I get the Premium Margarita frozen or on the rocks?
Yes. Most Red Robin locations serve their margaritas either on the rocks or blended frozen, so you can pick whichever style you prefer.
Is the Red Robin Premium Margarita gluten-free?
Tequila and agave are naturally gluten-free, but liqueurs like Grand Marnier or Cointreau and any flavored mixers can vary. Ask your server to confirm current ingredients at your location before ordering if you have a gluten sensitivity.
View More Red Robin Menus
Still hungry or planning a full visit? Check out these other Red Robin menu guides: