3 Must Make Drinks Using the Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker

Bring on the Beach Vibes: Our Favorite Frozen Drink Maker (Plus a Few Recipes to Rock Your Tiki Bar)

When we remodeled our basement, we added the most essential feature known to man: a Tiki Bar. Because if you can’t live in Key West, you might as well fake it with a Hawaiian shirt, a killer playlist, and a steady stream of piña coladas.

Naturally, our first big decision wasn’t about flooring or lighting — it was finding the ultimate Margaritaville frozen concoction maker. (Priorities, right?)

After testing out everything from a regular blender to fancy ice shaver gadgets, we landed on the Navigator Margaritaville Maker. And let me tell you — it was a good choice.

But before you dive face-first into a frozen margarita, let’s break down the best drink maker options for your home setup.

Drink Maker Options (aka How to Be the Host with the Most)

Regular Blender

Ah yes, the humble regular blender. It’ll do in a pinch, but unless you’re into chunky margaritas (I’m not judging, but also, ew), you might want to upgrade. The KitchenAid K150 and Vitamix both handle ice decently, but they don’t give you that shaved ice texture your vacation self is craving.

Want more info about the KitchenAid K150 series? (Click here to see our Resource page)

Ninja Blender

These are the drink makers with a little muscle. The Ninja Bullet is especially great for single-serve fun, perfect for when it’s just you, your dog, and a rewatch of White Lotus. It’s basically a manual control margarita party in a cup.

Margaritaville Machines

And then… cue steel drums… you reach frozen drink nirvana.

The Margaritaville machines aren’t just blenders. They’re a way of life. A Jimmy Buffett lifestyle, if you will. They shave the exact right amount of ice, automatically mix your drink, and even look cool on your bar cart. There are a few models to choose from:

Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker: The OG. Portable, fun, and a total home margarita machine classic.
Bali Frozen Concoction Maker: Fancier, pricier, and dispenses directly into your glass. Is that necessary? Maybe not. Is it awesome? Obviously.
Tahiti Frozen Concoction Maker: Got a big party coming up? This baby has three 24-ounce blending jars. Just don’t forget to stock enough ice.

My Favorite Recipes

our home bar — *Our own slice of Margaritaville*

Classic Margarita

Fill the ice reservoir. In the base container add:

4 oz gold tequila

1 oz triple sec

1 oz lime juice

3 oz orange juice

4 oz Margarita mix

Load that large ice reservoir, press the button, and let the margaritaville maker do its thing.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Not too sweet, not too light — this one hits just right. Want something a little brighter? Swap out the dark rum and go all-in on light.

Fill the ice reservoir. In the base container add:

3 oz light rum

3 oz dark rum

1 oz pineapple juice

4 oz Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

Turn on the machine and push the start/shave button. The machine will do the rest.

Pina Colada

This is one of my favorite versions of Pina Coladas.

Fill the ice reservoir. In the base container add:

4 oz light rum

4 oz cream of coconut

4 oz pineapple juice

Throw on a ukulele playlist, hit the shave-n-blend button, and pretend you’re on the beach in Key West.

Tips for Using Your Margaritaville Margarita Maker

Ice Prep is Key
Let your ice sit out for 10 minutes before loading. This helps the drink machine work its frozen magic and achieve that dreamy texture.

Perfect Pour Measurements
12 ounces of liquid is the sweet spot for our Navigator. Want it thicker? Go for 11. Thinner? Bump it to 13. Trust me, it’s science. Or at least very chilled math.

Freeze Now, Party Later
Leftovers? Store ‘em in a freezer-safe container. Pull it out later, let it thaw a bit, and boom — instant happy hour.

Clean-up Tips
Wipe that thing down after every drink to avoid sticky regret. The parts come off easily, and replacement parts are available if needed. (Been there.)

Every home Tiki bar needs to feel like an escape. A place to feel like you are on vacation, even if it’s a Tuesday night.

Must-Have Extras for Your Home Tiki Bar

If you’re going all-in on the island vibes, don’t stop at the drink maker.

Add some margarita glasses for flair
Hang a few string lights
Keep your manual control for music set to “Beach Chill”
Bonus points for a flamingo floatie in the corner

You don’t need a plane ticket to embrace that Key West, laid-back, sip-don’t-scroll life. All it takes is the right machine, a solid playlist, and a little bit of imagination.

Want more frozen drink fun, mai tais, or just need an excuse to wear that ridiculous flamingo shirt? Come hang out with us. The blender’s always running, and there’s always room at the bar.