Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Zesty Strawberry Margarita Recipe

A bright, cozy strawberry margarita with fresh lime, a pinch of salt, and an optional spicy rim for that sweet-tart, sip-again finish.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A real photograph of a salt-rimmed glass filled with a vibrant strawberry margarita with fresh strawberry slices and a lime wheel on the rim on a wooden table
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Some drinks are pure summer energy. This one is summer energy in a sweater. A zesty strawberry margarita hits the sweet spot between bright and comforting, thanks to ripe berries, punchy lime, and that little salty edge that makes everything taste louder. It is the kind of cocktail you make on a random weeknight when you want something fun, but not fussy.

I keep this recipe approachable on purpose. No obscure syrups. No bartending gymnastics. Just a quick strawberry blend, a good shake (or stir if you are feeling lazy, I get it), and a smart little trick: a tiny pinch of salt in the drink. It makes the strawberries taste more like strawberries and the lime taste more like lime. Cozy science.

A real photograph of fresh strawberries and halved limes on a cutting board next to a cocktail shaker

Why It Works

  • Bright, not cloying: Fresh lime keeps the berry sweetness crisp and clean.
  • Cozy texture: A quick strawberry puree gives you that velvety, almost dessert-like sip without being heavy.
  • Big flavor with minimal effort: One blender moment, one shaker moment, done.
  • Balanced like a pro: A pinch of salt and optional orange liqueur round out the tequila and make the whole thing taste finished.

Pairs Well With

  • A real photograph of a bowl of tortilla chips with a small bowl of fresh salsa

    Chips and salsa

  • A real photograph of a tray of chicken tacos with cilantro and lime wedges

    Weeknight chicken tacos

  • A real photograph of guacamole in a bowl topped with diced tomatoes and onions

    Chunky guacamole

  • A real photograph of a small plate of grilled shrimp with lime wedges

    Chile-lime grilled shrimp

Storage Tips

This margarita is best right after shaking, but you can absolutely prep pieces ahead for a low-drama happy hour.

Strawberry puree

  • Fridge: Store in a sealed jar for up to 3 days. Give it a vigorous shake or stir before using.
  • Freezer: Freeze in an ice cube tray, then bag the cubes for up to 2 months. Blend cubes with tequila and lime for a fast frozen version.

Batching the cocktail

  • Mix tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, strawberry puree, and simple syrup in a pitcher (no ice).
  • Refrigerate up to 24 hours. Shake individual servings with ice right before pouring for the best texture.

Note: Already poured over ice, it will dilute fast. If you want it to stay punchy, keep the mix cold and ice the glass at the last second.

Common Questions

Can I make this without a blender?

Yes. Use strawberry jam (about 2 tablespoons per drink) or muddle very finely chopped strawberries with the simple syrup, then shake hard and strain. If you use jam, skip the simple syrup at first (jam is already sweet). Taste after shaking and only add a tiny splash of syrup if it truly needs it.

What tequila should I use?

A blanco tequila keeps it bright and zippy. If you want a cozier, rounder vibe, reposado is great too and plays nicely with strawberry.

How do I make it less sweet?

Start with the smaller amount of simple syrup, then taste after shaking. You can always add more. If your strawberries are super ripe, you might not need much at all.

Can I make it spicy?

Absolutely. Do a Tajín rim or add 1 to 3 thin jalapeño slices to the shaker and shake. Taste carefully. Heat builds fast.

Is there an alcohol-free version?

Swap tequila and orange liqueur for sparkling water or a nonalcoholic tequila alternative. Keep the strawberry puree and lime the same, and add bubbly at the end.

I started making strawberry margaritas when I realized I wanted the comfort of a sweet drink without the sugar-bomb regret. Fresh berries did the heavy lifting, lime kept everything awake, and a tiny pinch of salt made it all click. Now it is my go-to for those nights when dinner is something cozy and carb-forward, and the drink needs to feel like a little celebration without turning my kitchen into a bar program.