Sweet and savory join forces for your new favorite summer cocktail! Basil provides an unexpected and refreshing take to the standard strawberry margarita.
Fresh ingredients from the garden! Gluten-free! Low-fat!
This is how I’m justifying drinking this all the time. Frankly, if you took out the tequila you could drink this for breakfast. Right? Right.
I never would have thought I would like the addition of herbs to my fruity summer cocktails, but I can thank a bartender friend of mine for making me one of these things years ago. These gorgeous, light, fresh liquidy things. I was hesitant at first, but after my first sip I was hooked.
On the rocks, not blended
Normally, I like my strawberry margaritas blended and as cold as you can get it. But for some reason, it’s not the same when I add basil. In my mind, frozen isn’t fresh – even if the ingredients are.
A strawberry basil margarita needs to be muddled and served over ice. I’ve been trying to come up with a better word to describe this than “refreshing”. Because it is refreshing, but it’s more than that. Exhilarating? That’s overkill. Stimulating?
Actually, for your taste buds – yes. They aren’t expecting the savory of the basil with the sweet of the strawberries.
How many strawberry basil margaritas does this recipe make?
I’ve written this as a single serving which makes it easy to multiply for whatever you need. I usually make these as single servings since it’s just for me, but if you make a pitcher’s worth it gets even better as it sits.
The basil flavor becomes even more pronounced and it develops a nice rosy color. So basically, there’s no downside to making a pitcher and letting it hang out in your fridge (but no longer than 8 hours because then the basil leaves and strawberries turn into total mush – while it will still taste good, it won’t be the prettiest).
Remember, that doesn’t mean I’m encouraging you to make a pitcher for yourself.
[whisper] … probably.
After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!
Strawberry Basil Margarita
Equipment
Ingredients
Simple syrup
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ounces water
Margarita
- 4 strawberries, sliced or diced
- 4 basil leaves
- ¼ ounce lime juice
- ¼ ounce orange juice
- 2 ounces tequila
- Salt or sugar, optional for rimming glass
Instructions
Simple syrup
- Note: You can omit this step and these ingredients if you already have simple syrup on hand.
- In a small saucepan, heat water and sugar until sugar dissolves and mixture is clear and no longer cloudy. This is your simple syrup! Set aside to cool or place in fridge to cool more quickly.
Margarita
- In a small bowl or glass, use a muddler or the bottom of a wooden spoon to muddle (aka: gently mash) strawberries, basil leaves, lime and orange juices.
- Place in a cocktail shaker with the tequila and filled with ice, add simple syrup to taste, and shake well.
- It’s optional, but now is when you’d want to rim your serving glass with salt or sugar and fill with ice. Pour mixture into prepared glass, sans ice from the shaker, and garnish with a strawberry and lime slice. Enjoy!
Alicia
I made this with frozen strawberries that I thawed and it was delicious
Leslie Kiszka
That’s great to hear, I’m so glad you liked it!
Liz
I’ve never been a fan of tequila but this combinatino of flavors is excellent. Really refreshing!
Leslie Kiszka
@Liz, I’m so glad you like it! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a comment and rating, I really appreciate it.