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 chilly drinks, try this Raspberry Sorbet Wine Spritzer, or this tart and tasty 3 ingredient martini with limoncello and fresh lemon juice!
🧂 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 - added to the rim of the glass, adds texture and flavor to each sip.
- sugar - balances the tartness of the strawberries and the acidity of the lime juice.
- ice - ereates the signature slushy, frozen texture of a frozen margarita.
🔪 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.
Yes, but it may affect the texture.
💭 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 the 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
- 6 ounces frozen strawberries (about 1 cup)
- 6 to 8 basil leaves
- 2 ½ ounces tequila (5 tablespoons)
- 1 ½ ounces triple sec (3 tablespoons)
- 2 ounces lime juice (4 tablespoons)
- pinch salt (less than ⅛ teaspoon)
- 2 teaspoons sugar (use more if you like your cocktails sweet)
- ice cubes
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.
Video
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!
Julie says
So fun, festive and very refreshing!
Julie says
the mixes are often very sweet aren't they? This looks delicious, I like the real colour rather than it looking very artificial.
Chas says
The kids and I have been cleaning and purging all day. I'm thinking these sound fantastic right now!
Thanks for sharing on To Grandma's House We Go!
Debrashoppeno5 says
This looks so refreshing and delicious. Hits the spot on these hot summer days.
Renee'sKitchenAdventures says
I love the combination of strawberries and basil. I bet this is a super delicious drink! Perfect for the summer!
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
Ok, these look delicious! I am all over these Strawberry Basil Margaritas. Definitely pinning and making soon, thanks Kristin! 🙂
Kristin says
Thanks, Krista! Heading over to check out you Caprese Chicken now. Sounds yummy!!
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
Awesome, thanks Kristin!
Diane Balch says
When you say basil to an Italian our ears pop up... I will have to try this drink sounds interesting. Thanks for sharing it with us on foodie friday.
Kristin says
Thanks for hosting Foodie Friday...love that link party! Appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
Anyonita says
HELLO, Tequila! 🙂 Kristin, these margaritas look AMAZING! 🙂 I've pinned them to my Drinks board & cannot wait to make them!
Kristin says
Haha, yes I agree, HELLO tequila, and come right in and make yourself at home! 😀 Thanks for stopping by, Anyonita! Your Margarita Chicken Quesadillas look amazing. I think I will need to have a margarita night with my cocktail and your quesadillas LOL!
Tina @epicuricloud.com says
That looks like a winner Kristin!! I could stand taste testing a few of those right now! LOL!!
Have a nice weekend!!
Kristin says
Thanks, Tina! I know exactly what you mean! 😉
Miss Messy says
Yum I could seriously go for one of these right now! I love strawberry and basil together. Add alcohol and you're onto a winner!
Kristin says
Thanks! I know, I am ready for one right now too! (It is after 5:00 pm at the moment, so that is OK! LOL)