Blueberry Basil Margarita

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This Blueberry Basil Margarita is a refreshing summer margarita recipe that is made with fresh blueberries and basil leaves.

Fruity margarita recipes, such as this Blueberry Pineapple Margarita, this Raspberry Margarita or this Peach Margarita are delicious summertime cocktails for sipping out by the pool.

For some other blueberry cocktails, try this Vodka Blueberry Lemonade Cocktail or this Blueberry Mojito.

For other basil flavored drinks, try this Basil Mojito or this Watermelon Basil Mocktail.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make A Blueberry Basil Margarita
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Mid-Summer Cocktail — This is the perfect drink to make in the middle of blueberry season when you have fresh basil leaves.
• Homemade Simple Syrup — Unlike other margarita recipes, this version uses a homemade blueberry and basil simple syrup (rather than muddling them in the bottom of a glass). This add a stronger flavor and makes a smoother drink.
• Refreshing & Unique — This is a really refreshing cocktail for a hot day and its unique combination of flavors is incredibly delicious.
• Uses Up Ripe Blueberries — If you have a bunch of blueberries that are starting to become mushy, this is a great recipe to use them in before they go bad!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Blueberries: If it is blueberry season and you have an abundance of blueberries, use fresh berries. Ripe, mushy berries are completely fine! If it’s not blueberry season, you can use frozen blueberries instead.
• Basil: You’ll need fresh basil leaves for this recipe. Dried basil doesn’t work as a substitute. However, you can add in other fresh herbs, such as thyme or mint leaves.
• Tequila: Use a mid-shelf tequila for this margarita. You don’t need a high end tequila for a fruity cocktail.
• Triple Sec: Triple Sec is an orange liqueur that is commonly used in margaritas. You can replace this with Cointreau or Grand Marnier.
• Lime Juice: Use freshly squeezed lime juice, or a high quality bottled lime juice.
• Sugar & Water: Sugar and water are used to make the blueberry basil syrup. You can replace the granulated sugar with brown sugar, but it will add a slightly more sweet, caramel flavor.

How To Make A Blueberry Basil Margarita

Step 1: Heat the blueberries, basil leaves, sugar and water together in a saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2: Continue to heat for about 5 minutes until the blueberries have burst and the sugar has dissolved. Strain out the blueberry pieces and basil leaves.

Step 3: Run a wedge of lime around the edge of your margarita glass and roll the rim in salt. Set the glass aside for now.

Step 4: Add the blueberry basil syrup, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake well for 30 seconds. Strain and pour into your margarita glass filled with ice.

Expert Tips

• Make sure the blueberries burst. When you are making the syrup, use a fork to mash the berries as they cook so they release all their blueberry flavor.
• Don’t let the syrup boil. At most, a light simmer is ok. Boiling the syrup will evaporate too much water, making your syrup thick and sticky. The syrup should have a water-like consistency.
• Add a dash of lemonade. This margarita is absolutely delicious with a dash of lemonade or raspberry lemonade.
• Make it a mocktail. For a mocktail version, leave out the tequila and Triple Sec. Add in a dash of lemonade and/or top off the drink with some 7Up or Sprite.

Recipe FAQs

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📖 Recipe