Strawberry Basil Margarita Recipe: Fresh Twist on a Classic

Say hello to summer with these Strawberry Basil Margaritas on the rocks! This refreshing, easy recipe will be a new favorite.

My husband Jon and I have been really into margaritas lately. A year ago he bought a cocktail set and learned to make tasty drinks at home. Lately he’s been experimenting with spicy margaritas — which is amusing given his history with spicy food. I’ve loved spice since high school; Jon is not a fan, but early in our relationship he tried to impress me by ordering an extremely spicy mango habanero wing. His face went bright red and he pretended to enjoy it. Years later, after I’d been cooking spicy food for him often, he admitted he didn’t actually like heat. It was so funny I couldn’t stay mad.

Now I often tone down the heat when I cook for him, and at home I’ll make a regular dinner while adding extra hot sauce to my own plate. The twist is that Jon has become obsessed with spicy margaritas — particularly habanero tequila — even though he still avoids very spicy food otherwise. It’s one of those delightful contradictions that makes us laugh together.

These Strawberry Basil Margaritas are a perfect compromise. They highlight sweet, ripe strawberries and the bright, peppery aroma of fresh basil. The combination is balanced and refreshing: strawberries bring sweetness and body, basil adds herbal lift, and lime and tequila keep the drink classic. We love serving these on a warm afternoon or pairing them with light appetizers. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

For more strawberry recipes, check out my post on how to use up summer strawberries.

Strawberry Basil Margaritas FAQ

What are the strawberry basil margarita ingredients?

A classic margarita includes tequila, an orange liqueur (such as Cointreau), simple syrup, and fresh lime. This version adds fresh strawberries and basil leaves that are muddled to release their flavors. Muddling simply means gently crushing the fruit and herbs so their juices and oils mix into the cocktail. After muddling, add the remaining ingredients, shake with ice, strain over fresh ice, and garnish. It’s straightforward and delicious.

Is a strawberry margarita the same as a strawberry daiquiri?

No. Daiquiris use rum as the base spirit, while margaritas use tequila. The other flavor and balance differences follow from that change in spirit.

What is the best tequila for a strawberry margarita?

Use a quality blanco or reposado tequila you enjoy. Avoid mezcal for this recipe, as its pronounced smokiness doesn’t pair as well with fresh strawberry and basil flavors.

Can I use frozen strawberries in a margarita?

Frozen strawberries can work in a pinch, especially if you froze fresh summer berries. Thaw them fully before muddling so they release their flavor and aren’t icy inside the shaker.

What kind of simple syrup is best for a strawberry margarita?

Plain simple syrup — equal parts sugar and water — is ideal for this cocktail. It blends smoothly and lets the strawberry and basil shine.

What are some good food pairings for strawberry margaritas?

These margaritas pair wonderfully with chips and guacamole, light seafood dishes, grilled vegetables, or fresh salads. The fruity, herbal notes complement bright, summery flavors.

Strawberry Basil Margaritas | Well and Full | #summer #recipe #cocktail

Cherry Spritzes

Make the most of summer cherries with these Cherry Spritz Cocktails! Made with real cherries and cherry liqueur, it’s a berry-lover’s dream!

Course Cocktails, Drinks

Keyword brown sugar, champagne, cherries

Prep Time 5 minutes

Servings 2

Calories 180kcal

Ingredients

Cherry Spritzes

1/2 Cup Pitted Cherries
2 oz Cherry Liqueur
Champagne to top off the glass
4-5 Ice Cubes

Cherry Sugar Rim

3 Tbsp Freeze-Dried Cherries
2 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 Lemon

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker, add the cherries.
Using a muddler or wooden spoon, smash the cherries until you have a rough purée.
Add the cherry liqueur and ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 45–60 seconds, until the shaker is very cold.
For the rim, pulverize freeze-dried cherries in a blender until coarse powder. On a flat plate, combine the cherry powder and sugar. Wet the rim of each glass with half a lemon, then press the glass into the sugar mixture.
Fill glasses with ice. Strain the cherry mixture evenly into the glasses, using a mesh strainer if needed to capture pulp.
Top each glass with champagne or a sparkling wine of your choice.
Enjoy!

Notes

A cocktail jigger is helpful for measuring, but if you don’t have one, 2 oz is about 1/4 cup.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal
| Carbohydrates: 26 g
| Protein: 0.5 g
| Fat: 0.1 g
| Sugar: 23 g

Tried this recipe?
Let me know @wellandfull or tag #wellandfull! 🙂

P.S.

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