Basil Margarita
Holy. Moly. This Basil Margarita Recipe is so refreshing and loaded with a delicious basil taste. Grab your favorite cocktail glass and these five simple ingredients. You’ll be putting up your feet and relaxing with this tequila drink in no time.
Why You’ll Love This Basil Tequila Cocktail
A Basil Margarita is a quick and easy drink to make in a cocktail shaker and is a unique drink to share with friends, especially those who never say no to margaritas.
I know you will crave this herbal twist on the classic margarita! I love how lime and basil pair perfectly together. Using the basil simple syrup in this drink really brings out the flavor that I love so much.
This margarita with basil is a simple way to have a super refreshing tequila cocktail that feels out of the ordinary.
Ever since I tried a Basil Gimlet, basil became my favorite herb to add 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!
Related: Strawberry Basil Margarita
The basil garnish has such a strong scent that it reinforces the flavor as you bring the glass to your lips. It’s a flavor experience. And I’m here for it. And smoked sugar on the rim of the glass is the perfect finishing touch for this Basil Margarita.
This basil tequila cocktail is perfect for serving in warm weather, BBQs, parties, and any time you’re looking for a refreshing drink to enjoy.
Ingredient Notes
- Tequila
- Basil Simple Syrup (basil, sugar and water)
- Basil
- Lime
- Orange Bitters
- Smoked sugar or margarita salt, optional for the rim
Adding fresh basil, as well as the infused simple syrup, is key for a truly delicious basil flavor.
Casamigos Tequila is great to use due to the slight vanilla note that makes it a little more interesting. When you can really taste the tequila (like in a Tequila Soda), I like to use more of a great-tasting traditional tequila!
Fresh lime juice is a must anytime you are making margaritas.
Although the basil gives this drink flavor, it’s 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.
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
Rim the glass
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!
Step 1
To a cocktail shaker, add tequila, lime juice, and basil simple syrup.
Step 2
Add 2-3 basil leaves to the shaker. Use a muddler to bruise the leaves so the oils release gently.
Step 3
Add ice and shake well.
Step 4
Strain and pour over fresh ice in the prepared cocktail glass.
You can use a margarita glass instead if you prefer.
Step 5
Top with 2-3 drops of orange Bitters and give it a quick stir.
Garnish with fresh basil or a lime wheel. And this Basil Margarita is ready to go!
*Note: Clap the basil leaves between your palms helps to release the oils of the garnish so it’s extra fragrant.
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 or agave 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.
- Don’t have an actual muddler? You can use a wooden spoon instead!
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.
This simple Basil Margarita recipe is great for making a refreshing cocktail that is both familiar and new.
More Drinks with Basil
- Cucumber Cocktail with Basil
- Grapefruit Basil Gin Cocktail
- Lemon Basil Cocktail with Gin
- Shaken Basle Iced Tea (Non-Alcoholic)
- Basil Cucumber Soda (Non-Alcoholic)
More Easy Margarita Recipes
- Clementine Margarita
- Skinny Margarita
- Best Frozen Margarita
- Pumpkin Spice Margarita
- Cucumber Margarita
- Aperol Margarita
Basil Margarita
Equipment
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.