Strawberry Basil Margarita Summer co*cktail (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to my margarita mix to make it better? ›

A splash of fruit juice can also add some more flavor to your margaritas. Grapefruit juice will give a tart, slightly sour flavor, while pineapple juice creates a more tropical-tasting drink. "Citrus-based juices are essential for balancing out the sweetness of a margarita," David Alan told Insider.

Process tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sweet and sour, strawberries, and ice in blender until smooth. Pour drink into glass and serve. Garnish with an additional lime wedge, or speared fruit, if desired.

Sweet Basil (aka Italian Basil) is the most common variety used in North American and probably the variety that you'll most easily be able to find for Basil co*cktails.

The added water makes it go a little longer. It also lightens up the tequila flavour and strength of the drink. It's great if you don't like a super boozy forward co*cktail. You can, most definitely, skip adding the water, or cut the amount in half.

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

What Mix Do Most Restaurants Use? For happy hour when co*cktails are cheap, many restaurants use a powdered mix, a concentrate, or a liquid. If restaurant-style mixes are your jam, the two that taste most similar are Zing Zang Margarita Mix and Jose Cuervo Classic Lime Original Margarita Mix.

The dirty margarita takes its inspiration from the dirty martini, a classic libation made with strong liquor and a splash of a little something not-so-clear. We swap olive juice for jalapeno brine, making this a drink that packs the heat–and a punch.

A skinny margarita is a margarita with no or minimal simple syrup. Lime juice, freshly squeezed or pasteurized, a little bit of orange liqueur (cointreau, triple sec, gran mariner) over ice with or without a salt and or sugar rim. Basically a lime gimlet sub tequila.

Tequila tends to get top billing in a Margarita. But consider triple sec, the co*cktail's supporting actor. Without triple sec, a Margarita is off-kilter and essentially just a Tequila Gimlet.

Basil is a nice addition to plenty of easy co*cktails: add a torn leaf or two to your gin and tonic, or tap a little into the bottom of your mojito.

What mixes well with basil? ›

Sweet and fragrant basil complements tomato-based dishes including pizza, pasta and marinara sauce. We find that basil cuts tomato's acidity and enhances its natural sweetness. Parmesan Cheese: Basil and parmesan cheese are often used together in pasta dishes and salads.

Place the basil leaves and cucumber in a co*cktail shaker and muddle (or gently bash) with a muddler or wooden spoon until the basil and cucumber are bruised and the scent is released. Add the sugar syrup, gin, lemon juice, and ice. Shake vigorously until frost forms on the outside of the co*cktail shaker.

In short, you should consider the overall character of the co*cktail you're crafting. If you're looking to add a touch of elegance or complexity, go for Grand Marnier. If you want a straightforward, vibrant orange flavor that blends seamlessly with other ingredients, opt for triple sec.

In Margaritas, the inclusion of triple sec provides a luscious, warm citric note that counterbalances the lime juice's high acidity. Considering the relatively low ABV of most triple secs and orange liqueurs, the orange flavoring isn't as “juice-forward,” which allows the tequila to shine.

salt: A margarita is technically a sour (acid, spirit, sweetener) and with it being made with lime juice, it's actually a pretty sour drink. Salt helps cut twist-your-face sourness. Use Kosher salt. To make it pretty, zest lime, lemon, or orange into the salt before rimming.

You can include other citrus options too — orange slices or grapefruit wedges make a fun addition to a classic margarita. The second category of garnishes I rely on are non-citrus fruits. Consider adding sliced peaches,pomegranate seeds or some fresh berries to your set up.