Make this Frozen Strawberry Basil Margarita recipe for a quick cocktail with a medley of refreshing flavors! Anybody can instantly become a bartender with this simple recipe that’s perfect for spring and summer sipping.
The combination of sweet strawberry and fragrant basil is ideal for happy hour or a lazy summer afternoon. You’ll love the nostalgic slushie consistency of this fantastic adult beverage!
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💚 About This Recipe
Refreshing and sweet, these frozen margaritas are bursting with ripe strawberry flavor and the fresh herbal flavor of basil. It's so easy to make a batch of these delicious drinks, perfect for a spring afternoon or a hot summer day, or a Cinco de Mayo celebration!
With the option to use frozen or fresh strawberries, you can also adjust the amount of alcohol to your liking. This colorful and ice cold margarita will become a go-to drink for the warmer months!
And if you can't get enough of sweet and frozen drinks, try this Raspberry Sorbet Wine Spritzer as well!
🧂 Ingredients Needed
- strawberries - I like to use frozen strawberries since they're easy to store and give the cocktail a thicker consistency without having to use more ice, but you can use fresh strawberries if you prefer.
- basil leaves - use the freshest basil leaves you can for best results.
- tequila and triple sec - two ingredients that are commonly used to make margaritas.
- lime juice - I often used bottled lime juice for the convenience, but fresh lime juice is also an option.
- salt
- sugar
- ice
🔪 Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender aside from the ice.
- Pulse until combined.
- Add ice to the mixture.
- Pulse until smooth, then pour into a margarita glass rimmed with salt, then garnish with fresh basil leaves and lime wedges if desired.
❔ FAQs
Adding triple sec or another orange liqueur is a common way to add a little extra strength and citrus flavor to any margarita. They can be made with just tequila, but orange liqueur gives them something special!
If you want to add some extra flavor, margarita salt typically combines flaky salt and citrus zest like lemon zest or lime zest.
💭 Expert Tips and Tricks
- If you're using fresh strawberries, you may need to add some additional ice to get the consistency you're looking for.
- Make a big batch of this recipe by doubling or tripling the ingredients. Just be sure your blender is large enough.
- You can also use a smaller blender to more easily make an individual serving.
- This drink can be enjoyed as is, or garnish with a lime wedge, a twist of citrus peel, and some fresh basil. You can also make a slit in a fresh strawberry and perch it on the glass.
- To rim the cocktail glass, dip the edge in some simple syrup or run a lime wedge around. Then dip rim in some kosher salt. Mix it with sugar and some fresh citrus zest for extra flavor and sweetness.
- Fresh herbs are going to give you the best flavor. If you grow basil yourself, this is a great way to use it!
📌 A strawberry and basil margarita is the perfect way to cool down and unwind on a hot afternoon! This frozen cocktail comes together in minutes for a fantastic adult beverage.
💡 Substitutions and Variations
- Make a kid-friendly version of this cocktail by replacing the alcohol with orange juice.
- Add some heat with some jalapeno-infused vodka or even a couple of slices of jalapeno in the cocktail itself.
- This can also be made as a more traditional margarita instead of a frozen margarita. You'll still want to blend the strawberries with some lime juice to make a strawberry puree.
- Use some simple syrup or agave syrup instead of the sugar.
- I prefer to use silver tequila for margaritas as it's more affordable and lends itself better to the fruity flavors, but you can use gold tequila if you prefer.
- Feel free to use your favorite tequila brand; I like to use something that's on the more affordable side!
🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
For a fun happy hour, serve your strawberry margaritas with Pepperoni Pinwheels, a quick and easy Chipotle Cheddar Dip, or this healthy Black Bean Dip with Jalapenos. For a fantastic warm weather dinner, pair the cocktails with Chipotle Shrimp Tacos or an Easy Steak Bowl with Potatoes.
✔️ More Cocktail Recipes You'll Love
- Moscato Sangria - Citrusy and tropical, this simple sangria inspired cocktail has a revitalizing bubbly quality that makes it the ultimate adult refreshment!
- Pomegranate Spritzer with Lime - Great for the winter, this pomegranate spritzer boasts a gorgeous ruby red color.
- Raspberry Gimlet - With just a couple of ingredients, this super easy gimlet is a flavorful and fruity drink that's easy to make and always satisfying.
- Strawberry Mudslide - This fruity take on the adult milkshake from Cocktails and Appetizers has a beautiful pink color and creamy consistency you'll love!
Frozen Strawberry Margarita Recipe
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📋 Recipe Card
Frozen Strawberry Basil Margaritas
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients except the ice in a blender.6 ounces frozen strawberries, 6 to 8 basil leaves, 2 ½ ounces tequila, 1 ½ ounces triple sec, 2 ounces lime juice, pinch salt, 2 teaspoons sugar
- Blend all ingredients are well mixed.
- Add in 3-4 ice cubes and blend well. Check the consistency and blend in a few more if you like it thicker.ice cubes
Notes
- If you would like to use fresh strawberries instead of frozen, increase the amount of ice to get a nice thick consistency.
- To make this for the kids, substitute ½ cup of orange juice for the tequila and triple sec.
- For an extra kick, you can add a splash of spicy jalapeno-infused tequila or a few slices of fresh jalapenos to the blender.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
Update Notes: This post was originally published in July 2013, and was republished with tips, step by step photos, and a recipe change in April 2024.
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Happy cooking!
Harriet Young
The strawberry and basil in this is a match made in heaven! Loved it
Emily
This is so refreshing! I multiplied the recipe for a crowd for a neighborhood potluck, and it was a hit!