Holy. Moly. This Basil Margarita Recipe is so refreshing and loaded down with delicious basil taste. Grab your favorite cocktail glass and these five simple ingredients, and you’ll be putting up your feet and relaxing in no time at all.
Ever since I tried a Basil Gimlet, I fell in love with adding this herb to my drinks. Whether it’s just as a garnish or actually infused in the flavor, basil is one of my favorite ways to amp up the flavor of a cocktail!
It’s an herbal twist on the classic margarita that you will crave!
Why this recipe works
This margarita with basil is a simple way to have a super refreshing tequila cocktail that isn’t overpowering. Unlike my Basil Strawberry Margarita, this recipe is even easier to make and one of those “wind down at the end of the day” types of drinks.
Using the basil simple syrup in this drink really brings out the flavor. I love how lime and basil pair perfectly together.
It’s a quick and easy drink to make in a cocktail shaker and a fun one to share with friends.
The basil garnish has such a strong scent that it reenforces the flavor as you bring the glass to your lips. It’s a flavor experience. And I’m here for it.
A smoked sugar rim is the perfect finishing touch for this Basil Margarita.
If you’re a tequila fan, be sure to also try my Tequila Mojito, Spicy Mexican Mule, and Clementine Margarita! And if you just need something herbal with no alcohol make my Shaken Basil Iced Tea!
Ingredient Notes
Adding fresh basil, as well as the infused simple syrup, is key for a truly delicious basil flavor.
Casamigos Tequila is my favorite to use since it has a slight vanilla note that makes it really smooth and balanced. When you can really taste the tequila (like in a Tequila Soda), I like to use a really great tasting tequila!
And although the basil gives this drink flavor, it’s a very tequila forward. I used Orange Bitters to add just a touch more citrus. I just love the way bitters finish off a drink.
I found this tasty Smoked Sugar blend and thought it would be delicious to try on the rim, but you can skip it if your store doesn’t have this. You could also use regular salt if you prefer.
How to Make a Basil Margarita – Step-by-Step Instructions
- Rim the cocktail glass by rubbing a small piece of fresh lime on the rim (all-around or in a small area as I’ve shown) then dip the wet part of the glass into the spice poured onto a small plate. Then set aside until the cocktail is ready.
I used a smoked sugar blend I found at the store. It’s a great counterpoint to the basil simple syrup and vanilla notes of the tequila.
I’m not a huge fan of a salted rim so this is a great alternative. I also never rim a whole glass (unless it is with dried rose petals). The choice is totally yours!
2. To a cocktail shaker, add tequila, lime juice, and basil simple syrup.
3. Clap 2-3 basil leaves between your hands and place in the shaker.
Clapping the bail helps to release the oils. It’s a super simple alternative to muddling.
4. Add ice and shake well.
5. Strain over fresh ice in the prepared cocktail glass.
6. Top with 2-3 drops of orange Bitters and give it a quick stir.
7. Garnish with fresh basil. And this Basil Margarita is ready to go!
This simple Basil Margarita recipe is great for making a refreshing cocktail that is both familiar and new.
Tips and Tricks
- To make this more like a traditional margarita, you can add an ounce of orange liqueur or Triple Sec.
- Don’t have time to make the Basil Simple Syrup? Just muddle fresh basil into regular simple syrup and lime juice instead. The overall basil flavor will be more subtle but it’s still delicious!
- As a last resort, you can add basil to the store-bought margarita mix. I much prefer the taste of a fresh margarita, but if you’re crunched for time or ingredients, you can do it.
- The bitters add a depth of flavor to the drink that is really nice but if you don’t have any, you can still make this drink!
- You can easily turn this into a blended margarita by putting the ingredients into a high-powered blender. The basil will get broken up and will resemble a mojito with pieces of the herb mixed throughout the drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’re going to need to use your nose. If you get a strong smell of basil, it’s ready to use. The leaves should also be a nice, bright green as well.
Absolutely. I just really love the smokey sugar flavoring with the basil and tequila but if you’re more of a salt person, try and make it with salt instead. (That’s just more reasoning to make more than one to taste test!)
They don’t. The drink is shaken with ice which will cool them down enough. And once strained over ice in the glass, it’s perfectly refreshing!
As I mentioned above, I love the flavor profile of Casamigos Blanco Tequila. But I also really enjoy DeLeon Platinum and Santo Blanco Tequila.
Related Recipes
Or see my collections of Moscow Mule Variations, Vodka Cocktails, and Wine Cocktails.
Basil Margarita
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice, plus fresh lime to rim the glass.
- 1 ounce basil lime syrup (Make this recipe ahead of time so it cools completely)
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- Few dashes of Orange Bitters
- smoked sugar, to rim the glass
Instructions
- Make sure you're made this Basil Simple Syrup recipe ahead of time so it has time to cool completely.
- Prepare your cocktail glass: Rub a small piece of fresh lime on the rim and then dip the wet part of the glass into a small mound of spice blend or salt that you've poured onto a small plate. Set aside until the cocktail is ready.
- To a cocktail shaker, add tequila, lime juice, and basil simple syrup.
- Clap 2-3 basil leaves between your hands and place in the shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Strain over fresh ice in a prepared cocktail glass.
- Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- To make this more like a traditional margarita, you can add an ounce of orange liqueur or Triple Sec.
- Don’t have time to make the Basil Simple Syrup? Just muddle fresh basil into regular simple syrup and lime juice instead. The overall basil flavor will be more subtle but it’s still delicious!
- As a last resort, you can add basil to the store-bought margarita mix.
- The bitters add a depth of flavor to the drink that is really nice but if you don’t have any, you can still make this drink!
- You can easily turn this into a blended margarita by putting the ingredients into a high-powered blender. The basil will get broken up and will resemble a mojito with pieces of the herb mixed throughout the drink.
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