From taco night to girls’ night, these Strawberry Basil Margaritas are the freshest summer sippers around. With all the tastes of the farmers market, these tequila-based beauties are sure to be a fan favorite.
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About this Strawberry Basil Margarita recipe
I don’t like to pick favorites, but the margarita is definitely up there. The classic margarita is great, but margaritas are much more fun when you incorporate spirits and fruits — I am always on the hunt for new margarita flavors. For example, take these blood orange margaritas. Or these watermelon margaritas. See? So many flavors to enjoy!
Margaritas are stunning vessels for seasonal flavors, and it doesn’t get more summery than fresh strawberries and bright basil. These garden favorites shine in a blended drink that will quench your thirst on even the hottest days.
I think my husband might love them more than me. We have already made them again, per his request. When I first made them, he said, “I don’t know what these taste like, but they’re amazing.” (That’s a compliment, right?) I think what he meant to say was the fresh, aromatic, peppery taste of basil seeps through the tart sweetness of the blended strawberries and lime juice.
Whether it’s a Cinco de Mayo celebration, girls’ night, or just Taco Tuesday, grab your shaker and make a batch of these Strawberry Basil Margaritas!
Note from the author
2026 update: This recipe has held firm as a follower favorite for summer sipping! I first published this recipe back in 2017, but I have since I updated it with new photos and even more tips for making the best-ever Strawberry Basil Margaritas. The new recipe uses a strawberry basil syrup and used a cocktail shaker * to serve it on the rocks. Previously, I’d made it frozen in a blender — which you can totally still do! I’m including blender instructions in the recipe card below.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Uses seasonal ingredients. Both basil and strawberries are at their best during the summer months, so using them fresh will bring out the best flavors in your drink.
- Quick and easy to make. Pop the ingredients in the blender and you’re just minutes away from a stunning sipper.
- Perfect for any occasion. Dress this drink up or down depending on where you’ll be serving it.
Ingredients & essentials
👇 For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
This frozen delight has many of the ingredients you’d expect to find in margaritas, but one thing that sets it apart is homemade strawberry basil simple syrup, a cross between strawberry syrup and basil simple syrup. Making it yourself means that you control the final flavor — and it really is simple! All you need is sugar, water, strawberries and basil leaves.
Fresh strawberries are so tasty, especially while they’re in season, but frozen will work too. Either option brings sweet fruit flavor and color to the final cocktail. I always recommend fresh citrus juice whenever possible, and that is true here too! Fresh lime juice will give you the best flavor without being bitter.
Blanco tequila is often found in margarita recipes, because it’s colorless and doesn’t detract from the vibrant color the strawberries offer, and blends smoothly with the other flavors. Depending on what you have on your bar cart * you could also use añejo tequila — the deeper flavor pairs beautifully with the basil and strawberry. Triple sec is another common margarita ingredient, a sweet orange liqueur that adds depth to the drink. And don’t forget your garnishes! A sugar rim, a basil sprig and a strawberry slice or lime wedge will wow.
margarita garnishes
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Instructions
Once you’ve made your basil syrup, you’ll be ready to enjoy a Strawberry Basil Margarita whenever the mood strikes!
- In a cocktail shaker * filled with ice, add strawberry basil syrup, tequila and lime juice.
- Shake until completely smooth.
Cool things down. Make this a frozen margarita by swapping fresh strawberries for frozen and adding one cup of ice before blending.
- Pour some sugar on a plate. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a glass. Roll the rim of the glass in the sugar to coat the rim.
- Strain into a rocks glass with ice. Garnish with a strawberry slice and a sprig of basil.
Tips & tricks
- Silver tequila (blanco) works great here, but añejo is even better if you have it — the deeper flavor pairs beautifully with the basil and strawberry.
- Chill the blended base to infuse it further, then serve over ice for an even more refreshing sipper.
- Use dehydrated limes as a garnish to elevate your drink for special occasions.
Serving suggestions
Depending on the occasion (and the weather), you can transform these colorful cocktails into a frozen margarita by adding ice and switching the strawberries. You’ll want frozen strawberries (if you plan ahead, you can still use your farmers market finds by popping them in the freezer) to help chill out the final drink.
Margaritas are practically synonymous with chips and salsa, so you can’t go wrong by including them on the menu. Level up by making your own tortilla chips and serving them alongside either red or green salsa — maybe both if you can’t choose.
Although these margs are sweet on their own, pairing them with a citrus dessert like frozen margarita bars will brighten the flavors. You could also stick with strawberries and use any extras to garnish no-bake strawberry shortcakes.
FAQ
You can definitely make these to share! Simply multiply the recipe to create a big enough batch for your crew. Chill the base in the fridge without any ice until your party starts. Use the +/- buttons at the top of the recipe card (below) to scale the recipe as you need to.
Blanco tequila is common in margaritas and would work well in this recipe. Añejo tequila is another option, since the deeper flavor pairs beautifully with the basil and strawberry.
Leave a comment or tap the ★★★★★ below to leave a rating — it helps others and supports our work. We love hearing how it turned out!
Strawberry Basil Margarita
ingredients
Strawberry Basil Simple Syrup
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and quartered
- 1½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 20-25 leaves fresh basil
Strawberry Basil Margaritas
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- 1 ounce strawberry basil simple syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar for rim
- 1 wedge lime for rim
- 1 slice fresh strawberry for garnish
- 1 sprig fresh basil for garnish
instructions
Strawberry Basil Syrup
- Wash the fruit. Hull strawberries to remove stems, then quarter or dice them. (See Notes section below for tips on using frozen strawberries.)1 cup strawberries
- In a medium saucepan, bring water and strawberries to a boil. Lower the heat and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes or until reduced by half. Remove from heat.1½ cup water, 1 cup strawberries
- Pour the hot liquid through a fine-mesh strainer * into a bowl or jar. Discard solids.
- While still warm, add sugar to the strawberry mixture and stir until sugar dissolves.½ cup granulated sugar
- Stir in the basil leaves. Let cool completely, at least 30 minutes, to infuse the basil flavor. Discard leaves.20-25 leaves fresh basil
- Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Strawberry Basil Margarita
- Pour some sugar on a plate. Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a glass. Roll the rim of the glass in the sugar to coat the rim.2 tablespoons coarse sugar, 1 wedge lime
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add strawberry basil syrup, tequila and lime juice. Blend until completely smooth.2 ounces blanco tequila, 1 ounce strawberry basil simple syrup, 1 ounce lime juice
- Strain into a rocks glass * with ice. Garnish with a strawberry slice sprig of basil.1 slice fresh strawberry, 1 sprig fresh basil
notes
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Meghan @ Cake 'n Knife says
Ok these cactus glasses are too cute!! I love the basil infused syrup – I wish I was sipping on one right now! Is that wrong before 9am….??
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Ohhhh yes girl. These look amazing! Making these ASAP. That basil simple syrup sounds TOO good.
H.S. says
I like the helpful information you provide! I will bookmark your blog as I am quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
OMG, Susannah. These look amazing. And the basil balancing out the tequila? Gimme. 🙂
Maia says
Looks so very delicious. That’s perfect for summer. Thanks for recipe