Classic Strawberry Margarita

If you ask me, strawberry margaritas are just about perfect for any occasion.

This fresh spin on a classic cocktail brings together sweet strawberries and tart lime juice in the most refreshing way. The combination of good tequila and fresh fruit creates a drink that’s both cooling and fun.

A quick whirl in the blender with ice turns these simple ingredients into a smooth, slushy treat that’ll make you feel like you’re at your favorite Mexican restaurant. The salt rim adds that classic margarita touch we all know and love.

It’s an easy-to-make drink that’s great for summer parties, or just when you want to add a little sunshine to your day.

What Kind of Strawberries Should I Use?

While this recipe calls for frozen strawberries, you can actually use either fresh or frozen berries – both will give you great results. If you’re using fresh strawberries, just make sure they’re ripe and red throughout, as this indicates they’ll have the best flavor for your margarita. When using frozen berries, the standard bags from the grocery store work perfectly fine, and they have the added bonus of creating a naturally slushy texture without needing extra ice. If you’re working with fresh strawberries and want to freeze them yourself, simply wash them, remove the stems, and pop them in the freezer for at least 4 hours before making your drinks. Just avoid using strawberries that show any signs of mold or have white or green patches, as these won’t give you that perfect sweet-tart balance you’re looking for.

Options for Substitutions

Want to mix things up with your margarita? Here are some handy substitutions you can try:

• Frozen strawberries: Fresh strawberries work great too – just add 2-3 cups of ice to maintain that slushy texture. You can also swap strawberries with other frozen fruits like mango, peach, or raspberry for a different twist.
• Tequila: While tequila is pretty essential for a true margarita, you can make a non-alcoholic version using 3/4 cup of lemon-lime soda or sparkling water mixed with a few drops of agave syrup. The taste will be different, but still refreshing!
• Orange liqueur: Cointreau can be pricey – Triple Sec or Grand Marnier work just as well. If you’re out of orange liqueur completely, try 2 tablespoons of orange juice concentrate plus an extra splash of tequila.
• Honey: Any sweetener works here! Try agave nectar (traditional for margaritas), simple syrup, maple syrup, or even stevia for a low-cal option. Just adjust the amount to your taste.
• Margarita salt: Regular coarse salt works fine for rimming. For a fun twist, try tajin seasoning or a mixture of salt and sugar. You can even skip the rim altogether!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when making strawberry margaritas is using room temperature or barely frozen strawberries, which will result in a watery drink – make sure your strawberries are completely frozen solid to achieve that perfect slushy consistency.

Using bottled lime juice instead of fresh can make your margarita taste artificial and overly acidic, so take the extra minute to squeeze fresh limes (about 4-5 medium limes for this recipe) – the bright, natural flavor is worth the effort.

When it comes to tequila, choosing a low-quality spirit can ruin your entire drink, so opt for at least a mid-range 100% agave tequila (silver or blanco works best for fruit margaritas), and avoid the temptation to add ice while blending as it will water down your perfectly balanced cocktail.

For the perfect salt rim, run a lime wedge around the glass edge before dipping it in salt, and chill your glasses in the freezer for about 15 minutes before serving to keep your margaritas colder longer.

What to Serve With Strawberry Margaritas?

When you’re mixing up strawberry margaritas, you’ll want some tasty Mexican-inspired snacks to keep the party going! These sweet and tangy cocktails pair perfectly with classic chips and guacamole or some spicy salsa to balance out the fruity drink. I love serving them alongside street-style tacos or a plate of cheesy nachos loaded with jalapeños – the combination of cool drink and spicy food just works. For a fun twist that plays up the strawberry flavor, put out a bowl of fruit salsa made with fresh mangoes, strawberries, and a hint of lime juice, served with cinnamon-sugar tortilla chips.

Storage Instructions

Keep Cold: If you’ve made extra strawberry margarita mix (without the alcohol), you can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The fresh flavors are best within the first 24 hours though, so try to enjoy it sooner rather than later!

Make Ahead: Want to prep for a party? Blend your strawberries, lime juice, and sweetener ahead of time and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just add the tequila and orange liqueur, give it a quick blend, and your drinks will taste fresh and perfectly chilled.

Prep Tips: Already mixed the cocktails but have leftovers? Pour them into ice cube trays and freeze – they make amazing boozy pops for another day! Or blend them up later for a slushy frozen drink. Just remember that alcohol doesn’t freeze solid, so they’ll be more like a soft slush.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	10-20 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 800-900
• Protein: 2-4 g
• Fat: 0-1 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

• 1 lb whole frozen strawberries
• 3/4 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as cointreau)
• 1/3 cup honey or preferred sweetener, to taste
• Margarita salt, for rimming glasses
• Fresh limes, for garnish

Step 1: Prepare the Glasses

• margarita salt, for rimming glasses
• fresh limes, for garnish

Begin by preparing your serving glasses.

Run a small wedge of lime around the upper outer rim of each glass to moisten it.

Dip each glass rim into margarita salt until well coated.

Set the prepared glasses aside until ready to serve.

I find that chilling the glasses beforehand keeps the margarita icy cold even longer.

Step 2: Blend the Margarita Mixture

• 1 lb whole frozen strawberries
• 3/4 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
• 1/3 cup honey or preferred sweetener, to taste

In a blender, combine the whole frozen strawberries, tequila, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, and honey (or your preferred sweetener).

Blend the mixture on high speed until completely smooth.

Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness or alcohol level by adding more honey or tequila if desired.

Step 3: Serve and Garnish

• fresh limes, for garnish

Pour the blended margarita mixture from Step 2 into the prepared glasses from Step 1.

Garnish each glass with a fresh strawberry or a slice of lime as desired.

Serve immediately and enjoy while cold.