So, yes, technically it isn’t summer yet, but around these parts we are surrounded by local strawberries and cheery basil, and as far as I am concerned that means summer has started!
And one of the best ways I know to welcome summertime is to raise a glass full of strawberry basil margarita deliciousness. Icy cold, just the right amount of sweet, and with a dash of tequila to give you that laid back summer vibe…and it takes all of ten minutes to shake one up.
First you need a handful of strawberries.
Local strawberries are a whole different deal from the year-round berries from the supermarket – you want to look for fully red ones that give off a nice strawberry aroma. Mmmmmmmmmm.
Strawberries are obviously a key ingredient in this recipe, and here’s a handy guide to everything you need to know about buying, storing and prepping these delicious fruits.
The easiest way to hull strawberries
The first order of business is to take off the strawberry leaves and stems. It’s of course perfectly okay to just slice off the green stem, but my favorite way to prep my strawberries is to take a straw, poke it up through the bottom of the berry right up to the stem.
This is called hulling the strawberries, and it’s not only easy but actually pretty speedy!
The stem and leaves will pop out along with a teeny core, giving you perfectly hulled strawberries without losing any of that delectable red outside. I use a reusable metal straw, but if you need to, a plastic straw also works just fine.
The other thing you need is simple syrup, which I promise is is ALL kinds of simple, and adds a lovely smooth sweetness to your cocktail.
How to make simple syrup
Simple syrup is just regular old sugar dissolved in hot water. You take equal amounts of sugar and water – say a half cup of sugar and a half cup of water – put it in a small pot over medium heat and stir until it is dissolved completely.
You know it is done when the liquid is totally clear, and once it gets to that stage, presto! You have made simple syrup. And not only is it perfect for adding just the right amount of sweetness to your margarita, but you can use it in iced tea or anything else you want to sweeten up.
You want your simple syrup to come to room temperature before you use it, and you can speed this up by popping it in the fridge for a half hour or so…and I highly recommend making extra because once you make it, you are going to want some around all summer long!
How to make a strawberry basil margarita!
Slice three of your beautifully hulled strawberries into quarters and put them in a cocktail shaker or a jar with a large opening. Add in one sprig of basil, one ounce of fresh lime juice and one ounce of simple syrup.
Muddle (this means smoosh) the strawberries and the basil until they are broken up well. If you don’t have an official muddler, the back of a fork will do just fine.
Add 2 ounces of tequila and some ice, put the lid on the shaker or your jar and shake shake shake. Shake one more time for good luck.
And last but definitely not least, pour your fabulous summery margarita into your favorite glass, garnish with another basil sprig and say cheers!
Tips for making a strawberry basil margarita!
You bet! If you feeling the urge for a raspberry basil margarita, or a blackberry basil margarita, just use about a 1/4 cup of whichever berry catches your fancy.
If I haven’t convinced you that simple syrup is so so so easy to make, then just add a teaspoon or two of regular old sugar to your cocktail shaker, and be a little more vigorous with the shaking so it can dissolve.
A good old mason jar will work just fine as a cocktail shaker! Just twist that lid on good and tight.
If you have a shot glass, they usually have one and two ounce markings on the sides. Plus you will feel like an official bartender (if you are me!). Shot glasses also come in handy as teeny dessert dishes! But you can also use a good old measuring cup, which has ounce markings on the sides.
And with that, raise a glass with me to summer being (unofficially) open for business!
OTHER SUMMER COCKTAILS WE LOVE!
Strawberry Basil Margarita
This easy recipe for a strawberry basil margarita puts some fun summer flavors into your favorite cocktail. Grab your cocktail shaker and say cheers!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 ripe strawberries, stems trimmed and cut in quarters
- 2 sprigs basil
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Ice
Instructions
- Put strawberries, 1 sprig of basil, the lime juice and the simple syrup in a cocktail shaker or a jar with a large opening. Muddle (this means smoosh) the strawberries and the basil until they are broken up well. If you don’t have an official muddler, the back of a fork will do just fine.
- Add the tequila and some ice, put the lid on the shaker or your jar and shake shake shake. Shake one more time for good luck.
- Pour the contents into your favorite glass, garnish with that other basil sprig and say cheers!
Notes
Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying (without any extra cost to you)!
Updated (and made even more delicious!) from a previously published Framed Cooks post!
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