This Strawberry Basil Margarita is the perfect delicious drink to make when you have company over. From the moment strawberries come into season, I think about how often I can make this. It’s great for Cinco de Mayo or other fiestas. But it is also fantastic during the warm summer months.
The strawberries add so much sweetness while the basil gives it the most glorious fragrance! These flavors really are a match made in heaven. Because this recipe includes instructions for making a simple syrup, this isn’t something I make for myself.
The syrup allows you to mix up a bunch of margaritas so it’s a great excuse to invite over some friends!
If you’re looking for cocktails to make at home add this one to your list!
I was sent a bottle of Camarena Tequila to make this recipe with. I only share things I love and think you’ll like too. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase through one of these links, I am compensated.
I love herbs in my cocktails. And strawberries are always a good idea, right? So this Strawberry Basil Margarita Recipe sounded like the perfect thing to try for Cinco de Mayo.
I’ll be honest, I don’t usually get all crazy about this holiday. I think I maybe went out to a bar once on Cinco de Mayo. When I was in college. And I barely remember it, only because I’m old. Not that I drank too much…
While Cinco de Mayo really doesn’t have any true cultural significance, there is never a bad day for a margarita. I’ve learned over my many years that I enjoy a nice tequila cocktail.
And when you put tequila with strawberries and basil you get the best possible fruity cocktail option.
How to Make a Strawberry Basil Margarita
This recipe is super easy. It uses super fresh ingredients and is different from your run of the mill margarita. No better time than the middle of the afternoon on a weekday when you are home alone with the children to try out a new cocktail recipe I always say.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
- 1/2 cup strawberry simple syrup (*see recipe below)
- 2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped roughly
- A handful of Sliced strawberries
- For Strawberry Simple Syrup: 1 cup sugar and 5 sliced strawberries.
How to Make Strawberry Simple Syrup
- Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 5 sliced strawberries in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Cool the syrup to room temperature, then strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing the strawberries to extract all liquid.
I made the strawberry simple syrup the day before I wanted to make these Strawberry Basil Margaritas so I knew it would be cold. I used cheesecloth instead of a sieve. It may not have been fine enough.
As I squeezed, bits were starting to ooze out and it looked like something that would work well for a Halloween special effect.
To Make the Margarita:
- Place the basil in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, pour in the tequila.
- Use the back of a spoon (or muddler – or end of a metal ice cream scooper like I used) to mash the basil leaves into the tequila.
- Fill the shaker with ice and add strawberry simple syrup, lime juice and agave nectar.
- Fill with ice, shake and strain into a high ball glass over ice.
- Garnish with sliced strawberries on the rim and ribbons of basil mixed in the drink.
This is one of the first cocktails I ever shared on the blog. Back then, I wasn’t too lazy to make flavored simple syrups. Now I see them as just an extra step.
If you want to skip the homemade simple syrup part (although it does give this drink a sweet and strawberry vibrance you’re unlikely to get otherwise…) you can just muddle the strawberries with the basil and tequila.
Or better yet, you can toss the strawberries into a blender and liquefy them.
Dude, I’m wasted!! No, just kidding. I took several sips of the Basil Strawberry Margarita and then stopped. But I didn’t want to. No children were harmed in the making of this recipe! A mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do and sometimes that means making cocktails in the afternoon.
Strawberry Basil Margarita
If you are looking for a delicious, fruity tequila cocktail to make for summer, you HAVE to make this Strawberry Basil Margarita!
Prep Time 4 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 14 minutes
Servings 1
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Familia Camarena Reposado Tequila
- 1/2 cup strawberry simple syrup *see recipe below
- 2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped roughly
- Sliced strawberries
Instructions
- Place the basil in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, pour in the tequila.
- Use the back of a spoon (or muddler - or end of a metal ice cream scooper like I used) to mash the basil leaves into the tequila.
- Fill the shaker with ice and add strawberry simple syrup, lime juice and agave nectar.
- Fill with ice, shake and strain into a high ball glass over ice.
- Garnish with sliced strawberries on the rim and ribbons of basil mixed in the drink.
*Strawberry Simple Syrup
- Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 5 sliced strawberries in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Cool the syrup, then strain the liquid through a sieve, pressing the strawberries to extract all liquid.
The simple syrup puts this margarita on the sweeter side. I don’t enjoy overly sweet drinks, so if you are like me, you can cut the amount and add a few fresh strawberries when you muddle.
I REALLY liked this recipe. A LOT. The tequila smelled really good. Be sure to check out the Camarena website for this and other recipes. There are definitely others I am going to try.
And I just saw this tequila at my local grocery store this weekend, so you should be able to find it in a store near you. Please note that my son only wants me to take his picture when I don’t want to. And yes, that is melted chocolate all up on his face.
If mama is drinking a strawberry margarita in the afternoon, kids can have chocolate bunnies. What’s fair is fair.
I made these cute papel picado inspired straw flags to dress up the drinks. But that is much Cinco de Mayo decor as you’re going to get out of me.
More Margaritas To Try
- Blended Cucumber Margarita
- Pitcher Margaritas
- Best Frozen Margarita
- Spicy Serrano Margarita
- Light Mezcal Margaritas from Celebrations at Home
- Coconut Margaritas from Thoughtfully Simple
More Strawberry Cocktails to Try
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You’re really going to really like these.
Have you ever had a Strawberry Basil Margarita? I really think you’ll love this delicious recipe. It’s a great one to make for company!
Kristin says
May 4, 2011 at 5:28 pmok sooo when are you making me some??