I turned the strawberries from my produce run into Strawberry Margarita Bites with lime and orange liqueur, and a simple unexpected step made the whole thing click.

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I wasn’t planning to obsess over cocktails, but after a triumphant run to buy fresh strawberries I couldn’t stop thinking about a strawberry margarita in edible form. The juicy strawberries and a whisper of tequila blanco made my brain light up, like why not bite into the drink itself.

I wanted bold not twee so I messed about until these Tequila Infused Strawberries happened. They’re a little naughty, kinda bright and surprisingly grown up, the sort of thing that would steal the show among Cinco De Mayo Fruit Ideas or show up when you want a boozy, flirty crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

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Margarita Strawberries are a quick, grown up snack that’s bright and kind of dangerous.

Ripe berries soak up citrus and booze, so each bite pops with sweet, tart, and boozy notes.

It feels fancy but it’s stupid easy, great for parties or when you want something fun after dinner.

Strawberries bring fiber and vitamin C, lime keeps it tangy and fresh, tequila adds depth and a little heat while orange liqueur rounds the flavor with sweetness.

You can dial the sugar down if you want, or skip the salt rim for less sodium.

Strawberries: high in vitamin C and fiber, low calorie, sweet and slightly tart
Tequila blanco: boozy, herbal notes, adds alcohol calories but little carbs
Orange liqueur: sweet, citrus aroma, adds sugar and orange depth
Lime juice: sharp, tangy, high in vitamin C, gives bright acidity
Sugar or agave: makes it sweet, adds carbs, agave slightly less processed
Lime zest: oily, aromatic, tiny calories, lifts flavors without sweetness
Coarse salt: optional finish, enhances sweetness, adds sodium

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

3 tbsp tequila blanco

2 tbsp orange liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec

2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)

1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar or 1 tbsp agave nectar

1 tsp lime zest (optional)

coarse salt for rim or finishing, optional

How to Make this

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1. Hull and quarter 1 lb fresh strawberries and put them in a medium bowl.

2. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar or 1 tbsp agave nectar over the berries and add 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and about 1 tsp lime zest if you got it. Toss gently so the fruit starts to release its juices.

3. Pour in 3 tbsp tequila blanco and 2 tbsp orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec). Fold everything together so the booze coats the berries.

4. Taste and adjust: add a bit more sugar or lime if it needs brightness, or another 1/2 tbsp tequila if you want it boozier.

5. Let the strawberries macerate in the fridge at least 15 to 30 minutes, longer if you can — the flavor gets way better after an hour.

6. Optional: for a chunky salsa-like texture pulse the mixture once or twice in a blender, or puree fully for a sauce or frozen pops. If you blend, chill again briefly before serving.

7. To serve with a margarita rim, rub a lime wedge around your serving bowl or glass and dip in coarse salt, or just sprinkle a little coarse salt over the finished berries for contrast.

8. Garnish with extra lime wedges, a little extra orange liqueur drizzle if you want, and eat right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 48 hours.

Equipment Needed

1. Medium mixing bowl for the strawberries to macerate in
2. Cutting board
3. Sharp paring knife for hulling and quartering berries
4. Measuring spoons (tsp + tbsp) to measure sugar, lime, and booze
5. Tablespoon or small measuring cup (for the 3 tbsp tequila)
6. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer to get the lime juice out
7. Microplane or zester (optional, but nice if you want lime zest)
8. Spoon or rubber spatula to toss and fold everything together
9. Blender or food processor (optional, pulse once or puree for sauce/pops)
10. Serving bowls or glasses, plus a small plate for coarse salt if you rim them

FAQ

Q: How long should the strawberries marinate? A: About 10 to 30 minutes is perfect to macerate and soak up the margarita flavors, you can do up to 1 hour in the fridge. Any longer and they start to get soft and watery.

Q: Will these be boozy? A: Yes there is real alcohol in them, but it tastes light not overpowering. If you need them alcohol free see the swap answer below.

Q: Can I make a non alcoholic version? A: Totally. Swap the tequila and orange liqueur for extra fresh lime juice, orange juice or a non alcoholic tequila substitute, and add agave or sugar to taste.

Q: Can I use frozen strawberries? A: I don't recommend it. Thawed berries get mushy and watery, they won't hold up like fresh hulled and quartered ones.

Q: Should I salt the strawberries or rim them with salt? A: Either works. For a salted rim rub a lime on the cut edge of a strawberry and press into coarse salt. Avoid salting the whole batch ahead of time since salt pulls out moisture.

Q: How long will leftovers keep? A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 24 hours for best texture and flavor, maybe 48 hours if you're flexible but they will get softer and juicier.

Margarita Strawberries Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Tequila blanco: use reposado or silver tequila for a similar kick, or for a non alcoholic option try 3 tbsp nonalcoholic tequila substitute or 2 tbsp orange juice + 1 tbsp lime juice + a splash of club soda
Orange liqueur (Cointreau/triple sec): swap with Grand Marnier for a richer orange note, or 1 tbsp fresh orange juice + 1 tsp orange zest as a booze free substitute
Granulated sugar or agave: use honey or maple syrup 1 to 1 they add nice flavor, powdered sugar dissolves faster, or try 2 tsp stevia for a no sugar option
Fresh lime juice: use fresh lemon juice in the same amount if you dont have limes, bottled lime juice works in a pinch, and lime zest can be swapped with grated orange or lemon zest

Pro Tips

– Let them sit longer if you can, like a few hours in the fridge. The flavor gets way deeper, but don’t leave them overnight or they’ll turn to mush, so aim for 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on how soft you like ’em.
– Control the texture by pulsing in short bursts if you want chunky bits, or puree fully for a sauce or frozen pops. If you blend, chill again before serving so it firms up a bit, otherwise it’s too loose.
– Taste and tweak slowly, sugar and lime in small steps. Alcohol can numb sweetness, so add a little more sweetener after macerating if needed, and a tiny pinch of coarse salt at the end really brightens everything.
– Use a decent blanco tequila for cleaner flavor, and keep everything cold when serving. Store in an airtight container up to 48 hours, and if there’s extra liquid separate it or stir gently before serving so the berries don’t get soggy.

Margarita Strawberries Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I turned the strawberries from my produce run into Strawberry Margarita Bites with lime and orange liqueur, and a simple unexpected step made the whole thing click.

Servings

servings

Calories

107

kcal

Equipment: 1. Medium mixing bowl for the strawberries to macerate in
2. Cutting board
3. Sharp paring knife for hulling and quartering berries
4. Measuring spoons (tsp + tbsp) to measure sugar, lime, and booze
5. Tablespoon or small measuring cup (for the 3 tbsp tequila)
6. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer to get the lime juice out
7. Microplane or zester (optional, but nice if you want lime zest)
8. Spoon or rubber spatula to toss and fold everything together
9. Blender or food processor (optional, pulse once or puree for sauce/pops)
10. Serving bowls or glasses, plus a small plate for coarse salt if you rim them

Ingredients

1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
3 tbsp tequila blanco
2 tbsp orange liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar or 1 tbsp agave nectar
1 tsp lime zest (optional)
coarse salt for rim or finishing, optional

Directions

Hull and quarter 1 lb fresh strawberries and put them in a medium bowl.
Sprinkle 1 to 2 tbsp granulated sugar or 1 tbsp agave nectar over the berries and add 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and about 1 tsp lime zest if you got it. Toss gently so the fruit starts to release its juices.
Pour in 3 tbsp tequila blanco and 2 tbsp orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec). Fold everything together so the booze coats the berries.
Taste and adjust: add a bit more sugar or lime if it needs brightness, or another 1/2 tbsp tequila if you want it boozier.
Let the strawberries macerate in the fridge at least 15 to 30 minutes, longer if you can — the flavor gets way better after an hour.
Optional: for a chunky salsa-like texture pulse the mixture once or twice in a blender, or puree fully for a sauce or frozen pops. If you blend, chill again briefly before serving.
To serve with a margarita rim, rub a lime wedge around your serving bowl or glass and dip in coarse salt, or just sprinkle a little coarse salt over the finished berries for contrast.
Garnish with extra lime wedges, a little extra orange liqueur drizzle if you want, and eat right away or store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 48 hours.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.