I love my take on the classic with a Strawberry Basil Margarita. I mix hand-sliced fresh strawberries, fragrant basil leaves, tequila blanco, lime juice and a touch of simple syrup to create a crisp cocktail bursting with summer flavors. This refreshing drink brings a delightful twist to any sunny day.

Jump to Recipe

I’ve been playing around with my usual margarita recipe and decided to shake things up with a strawberry basil twist that’s seriously refreshing for summer. I started with 2 cups of fresh strawberries and added about 8 to 10 basil leaves to bring a subtle herbal punch.

Mixing in 2 ounces of tequila blanco, 1 ounce of triple sec and 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice really gives it that balanced, tangy flavor. I sweetened things up with 1/2 ounce of simple syrup and added plenty of ice cubes to keep it chilled.

A pinch of salt rimmed the glass just like a standard margarita, but trust me this is so much more than that. If you love a good twist on the classic, this strawberry basil cocktail is bound to fast become your new summer go-to.

Enjoy this boozy drink thats both tart and sweet and perfect for any sunny day celebration.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, I really dig how the fresh strawberries and basil come together with the tequila and lime juice. It’s crazy refreshing and has that perfect balance of sweet and tart that gets me every time.

Also, I like that it’s a fun twist on the normal margarita. Instead of the usual stuff, I get to muddle fresh fruit and herbs and make something that feels special. It’s like I’m mixing a little bit of magic into my cocktail.

Another thing is that it’s just super refreshing. On hot, lazy summer days, nothing beats this drink when I need to cool off and treat myself.

Finally, making this gives me a chance to experiment in the kitchen a little. I enjoy playing around with the flavors and adjusting the sweetness if it’s not exactly how I want it. It definitely makes drink-making way more fun and less boring.

Ingredients

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

Strawberries: They are full of vitamins and fiber, and they maketh everything sweeter.
Basil leaves: They add fresh herb flavor that’s aromatic and slightly peppery.
Tequila Blanco: It offers a bold kick with low sugar, making the drink more exciting.
Triple sec: Adds citrus sweetness and tang, balancing the sour and fruity flavors well.
Lime juice: Injects sour zing and loads of vitamin C, refreshing every sip nicely.
Simple syrup: It brings a mellow sweetness that ties all flavors together perfectly.

Ingredient Quantities

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

8 to 10 fresh basil leaves (plus a few extra for garnish)

2 ounces tequila blanco

1 ounce triple sec (orange liqueur)

1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup (or agave nectar, depending on your taste)

Ice cubes

A pinch of salt for rimming the glass (optional)

How to Make this

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

1. Start by prepping your glass: Run a lime wedge all around the rim and dip it into a pinch of salt if you like that extra kick.

2. Place the sliced strawberries and basil leaves (about 8 to 10 leaves) into a cocktail shaker.

3. Use a muddler to crush the fruit and herbs until they start to break down and release their juices.

4. Pour in 2 ounces of tequila blanco, 1 ounce of triple sec, and 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice into the shaker.

5. Add 1/2 ounce of simple syrup (or agave nectar if you prefer) to balance the flavors.

6. Fill the shaker with enough ice cubes to really chill your mix.

7. Shake everything together vigorously for around 15 to 20 seconds to let the flavors mingle.

8. Strain the mixture carefully into your prepped glass filled with fresh ice.

9. Garnish with a few extra basil leaves and maybe even a small strawberry on the rim if you’re feelin’ fancy.

10. Give it a quick stir, taste it, and adjust the sweetness if needed. Enjoy your refreshing Strawberry Basil Margarita Summer Cocktail!

Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker
2. Muddler
3. Strainer
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Citrus juicer
7. Measuring jigger
8. Ice cube tray
9. Serving glass

FAQ

Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Yeah, you can use frozen strawberries if you dont got fresh ones. Just be aware it might water the drink down a bit so you may want to adjust the ice or blending time.

Do I really need basil in this recipe?

Basil really makes the flavor pop but if youre not a fan, a small sprig of mint can work too. The basil adds a unique twist thats hard to replace.

Is rimming the glass with salt important?

Not at all, its actually optional. Add a pinch of salt if you like that extra zing, but if its not your thing, feel free to skip it.

What if I dont have tequila blanco?

If you dont have tequila blanco, you could use another clear spirit like vodka, but it won't have that classic margarita tang. Adjust it based on what you like.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail?

Yup, you can! Just replace the tequila and triple sec with extra lime juice and a bit of soda water. The drink will be refreshing though its not exactly the same.

Strawberry Basil Margarita Summer Cocktail Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you don’t have fresh strawberries you can use thawed frozen ones, but they might be a bit softer
If basil isn’t in season, mint leaves can be used instead they give a nice cool flavor
If you can’t get tequila blanco you can swap it with another type of silver tequila its pretty close in taste
If triple sec is out of stock try Cointreau as its another orange liqueur that works well in these cocktails
Instead of freshly squeezed lime juice, bottled lime juice may work in a pinch but fresh is always better

Pro Tips

1. Try chillin your shaker and glasses before you start; it’ll keep your drink cold just a bit longer than usual.
2. When you’re muddlin the strawberries and basil, don’t overdo it. Crashing them too much can make the basil turn a little bitter.
3. Taste your mix after shakin it then adjust the sweetness. Sometimes you might need an extra splash of simple syrup if your strawberries are too tart.
4. If you really wanna up your game, experiment with different salt types on the rim, like a flavored sea salt. It gives an extra twist without overcomplicating things.

Strawberry Basil Margarita Summer Cocktail Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

325

kcal

Equipment: 1. Cocktail shaker
2. Muddler
3. Strainer
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Citrus juicer
7. Measuring jigger
8. Ice cube tray
9. Serving glass

Ingredients

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
8 to 10 fresh basil leaves (plus a few extra for garnish)
2 ounces tequila blanco
1 ounce triple sec (orange liqueur)
1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 ounce simple syrup (or agave nectar, depending on your taste)
Ice cubes
A pinch of salt for rimming the glass (optional)

Directions

Start by prepping your glass: Run a lime wedge all around the rim and dip it into a pinch of salt if you like that extra kick.
Place the sliced strawberries and basil leaves (about 8 to 10 leaves) into a cocktail shaker.
Use a muddler to crush the fruit and herbs until they start to break down and release their juices.
Pour in 2 ounces of tequila blanco, 1 ounce of triple sec, and 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice into the shaker.
Add 1/2 ounce of simple syrup (or agave nectar if you prefer) to balance the flavors.
Fill the shaker with enough ice cubes to really chill your mix.
Shake everything together vigorously for around 15 to 20 seconds to let the flavors mingle.
Strain the mixture carefully into your prepped glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a few extra basil leaves and maybe even a small strawberry on the rim if you're feelin' fancy.
Give it a quick stir, taste it, and adjust the sweetness if needed. Enjoy your refreshing Strawberry Basil Margarita Summer Cocktail!

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.