Blueberry Basil Margarita

A blueberry basil margarita is a remix of the classic lime margarita. Made with silver tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, blueberry simple syrup, and fresh basil, these margaritas are unique, refreshing, and irresistible. They only take 5 minutes to make!

Who doesn't love a margarita? I think it might be my favorite cocktail. They're so refreshing and perfect for sipping at Spring picnics, pool parties, and Summer BBQs. This blueberry basil margarita recipe will add a new herbaceous twist to your next Taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Tequila mixed with fresh lime juice and blueberry simple syrup gives these drinks flavor that packs a punch! Tart and sweet blueberries mixed with fresh, verdant basil makes for an unforgettable drinking experience.

The best part might be the color of these margaritas. The blueberry syrup makes them a beautiful vibrant pink! We're big fans of blueberry here, with blueberry recipes ranging from this cocktail, to blueberry white chocolate cookies, to mini blueberry muffins and blueberry chocolate cake!

If you love blueberry cocktails, you'll want to try my blueberry gin and tonic next. And if you love margaritas with a twist, try my skinny spicy jalapeño margarita and apple cider gin margarita.

Ingredient Notes

Here are some notes about the ingredients used. For quantities and full instructions, see the recipe card below.

• Coarse salt- Salt is actually an important part of a margarita's flavor profile! It's rounds out the sweetness of the orange liqueur or triple sec and compliments the zesty lime juice. Salt that is coarse with large sized grains is best since it doesn't dissolve as quickly.
• Tequila- Silver (or blanco) tequila is my favorite to use in this recipe. Silver tequila has a sharper flavor that pairs well with lime in margaritas.
• Orange liqueur- Orange liqueur is a sweetened spirit with orange flavoring. The sweet orange flavor compliments the bitterness of tequila beautifully. The orange liqueur I recommend is Cointreau, but Grand Marnier is also a good option.
• Lime juice- Tart lime juice mixed with blueberries is what gives this cocktail such a delicious taste. Use freshly squeezed lime juice, not the bottled stuff! I promise it makes a huge difference!
• Blueberry simple syrup- You can buy simple syrup or make your own. Check out my blueberry simple syrup recipe for all my tips and tricks!
• Fresh basil leaves- A little fresh basil as a garnish adds the perfect earthy, herbaceous flavor.

Substitutions

• Coarse salt: Coat the rim in sugar if you prefer.
• Tequila: If you don't have tequila on hand, try substituting mezcal, gin, or white rum.
• Orange liqueur: Try using orange juice instead for a lower ABV option.
• Blueberry simple syrup: Try using a syrup flavored with a different fruit, like raspberry, mango, watermelon, or strawberry to mix up the flavor! You can also try adding a little agave nectar or honey for sweetness. Try throwing in some macerated blueberries too!

Helpful Equipment and Tools

• Citrus squeezer or reamer to juice the limes easily.
• Cocktail shaker or a jar with a tight fitting lid to shake all the ingredients together.
• Jigger or a small measuring cup to measure the ingredients as you go.
• A strainer to pour the cocktail through so you don't get any lime or blueberry seeds in your marg! A hawthorne strainer or a small mesh sieve work.
• You'll need a serving glass for your blueberry margarita. You can use a traditional margarita glass, a highball (or Collins) glass, or a tumbler.

Step by Step Instructions

Here are the steps to make a homemade blueberry basil margarita. If needed, prepare your blueberry simple syrup before you start.

Step 1: Coat the rim of your margarita glass. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and place it upside down in flaky salt on a small plate or bowl. Twist and tilt the glass a little so that the sugar coats and sticks to all parts of the rim. Set aside.

Step 2: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice about halfway full. Then, pour in the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and blueberry simple syrup. Close the cocktail shaker tightly and shake well for 15-30 seconds to combine the flavors. The shaker will feel super cold when it's ready.

Step 3:  Fill your glass ¾ of the way with ice. Be gentle so you don't knock any salt off the rim! Then, strain or pour your margarita mixture into the glass.

Step 4: Garnish your cocktail with a sprig of fresh basil, a slice of lime, and fresh blueberries. Enjoy immediately!

Expert Tips

• Use high quality tequila. A margarita is only as good as the sum of its parts! Look for 100% blue agave tequila. This makes a huge impact on the taste. It's also important to note that tequila is very important in Mexican culture. The agave plants its made from are grown in Jalisco, Mexico, and it can't be made in any other country.
• Use fresh lime juice for the best taste. 1-2 limes should be the right amount for 1oz of juice depending on the size. I recommend using a citrus squeezer to get the most juice from your limes.
• Use large ice cubes. Small ice cubes and crushed ice will melt faster, diluting your cocktail.
• To prevent the blueberry basil margs from getting watered down, chill the glass in the freezer for about 20 minutes before using. This will keep your cocktail cold too!

Make a Big Batch

You can make a pitcher of blueberry basil margaritas ahead of time! Stir the ingredients together in a pitcher, but don't add ice or garnishes. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container, but it'll be best after 1 day. When you're ready to enjoy, salt the rim of your glasses, add the ice, and pour in the cocktail.

Additions and Variations

• Spicy: Use Tajin or chili powder on the rim. You can add jalapeño simple syrup to the cocktail or muddle a few jalapeño slices in the cocktail shaker.
• Smoky: Substitute mezcal for the tequila to add a complex smoky flavor.
• Frozen: Add all the ingredients to a blender with ice and blend until smooth.
• Mocktail: Replace the tequila with a non-alcoholic agave spirit or use a combination of grapefruit and lime juice for a refreshing citrus flavor.
• Cucumber: Muddle a few slices of cucumber in the cocktail shaker before adding the other ingredients for a refreshing and cooling twist.
• Lemonade: Add a splash of lemonade to the cocktail shaker for a tangy and refreshing flavor.

Storage and Freezing

It's always best to enjoy your margaritas fresh, but here are some tips if you happen to have leftovers.

Firstly, store it in an airtight container like a mason jar or a bottle with a lid, so the air can't get in and spoil the cocktail. Then, pop it in the fridge to keep it chilled and prevent it from going bad. It'll have the best flavor and consistency for up to 24 hours.

When you're ready to enjoy, give it a good shake to mix everything up before pouring it over ice.

Freezing

Pour your leftover margarita into an ice cube tray and store in the freezer for up to 1 month. The flavor will start to deteriorate after a month.

Instead of letting the ice cubes thaw, we'll turn these into a frozen margarita! Simply add the margarita cubes to a blender and blend until smooth. You can add a little more lime juice after blending if it's too thick.

Frequently Asked Questions

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