Raspberry Margarita
It’s margarita season. Ok. That’s tricky because limes are actually a winter fruit, but warm weather is when I want a margarita. So we’re in a transition phase out of true lime season, when raspberries are fresh. So let’s start enjoying a raspberry margarita, shall we?
CONTENTS
Raspberry Margarita
Generally speaking, a margarita has 3 ingredients – tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur (cointreau or triple sec). Often simple syrup is added to taste.
Interestingly, my husband learned to use orange juice in place of simple syrup to maintain that citrus flavor and add some natural sweetness. We tend to opt for less sweet cocktails, so this is all a matter of taste.
I will say, however, that in general I love to use fresh fruit in place of sugar (some or all) because in addition to adding that great flavor, the natural sweetness just hits so right.
If you’ve never thought about raspberry juice, you aren’t alone, but let’s talk about how easy it is – through a process called muddling.
A muddler is a handheld stick with a wider base that has grooves. By pressing and turning ingredients with the bottom of the muddler, you can mix, extract, and perform other sorts of magic!
So, for your next magic trick, simply combine the lime juice and raspberries in a glass or cocktail shaker. Use the muddler to squeeze out as much juice as you can from the berries.
What if you don’t have a muddler? I am the queen of not wanting a lot of kitchen gadgets and tools. While we have a muddler now, we didn’t always. Any wider/blunt object will work. Think a wooden spoon, the “butt” of a thick-handled butter knife. I’ve even been known to use an ice cream scoop. Anything that allows you to press (i.e. squish) will work.
Can you Make Margaritas Ahead of Time?
I’m a big fan of making things ahead of time, especially if I have other time-sensitive things (or if I just want to hang with whomever I’m with). Because this margarita is shaken, not blended (like my mango margaritas), you can ABSOLUTELY make this ahead of time.
Just follow the instructions below through mixing in the tequila and Cointreau. Then set your raspberry margarita mix int he fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy, garnish the glass as desired, and pour over ice.
Can I use Triple Sec in a Margarita?
Yes, you can, but it’s not nearly as good as Cointreau or another higher end orange liqueur – seriously. We’ve tried and, just, no.
What Tequila is best?
You’ll want a silver tequila for this raspberry margarita. You can see a list of sustainable alcohol brands and organic wines if you’d like to go that route!
We’ve recently been enjoying Casamigos, but you use whatever brand you like!
What to Serve with Raspberry Margaritas?
RASPBERRY MARGARITA
Equipment
- cocktail shaker jar with secure lid is fine
Ingredients
- 6 ounces fresh raspberries
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice 2-3 limes
- 3 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces Cointreau
- Ice
- Salt to rim glasses
- Lime slices for rimming the glass and garnish
Instructions
- Reserve 4 raspberries for garnish. Place the remaining berries in a large cocktail shaker or mixing glass. Add the lime juice. Muddle until the berries are completely smashed.
- Set a small or hand-held mesh colander over a volume measuring cup. Pour the contents of the cocktail shaker in the colander and press with the muddler to extract the juice. If your colander is small, you may need to work in batches. Discard the seeds and pulp. You should end up with 4 ounces of thick juice.
- Rinse any remnants of seeds from the cocktail shaker and add the raspberry-lime juice back to the shaker. Pour in the tequila and Cointreau. Add a ½ cup of ice. Shake or stir for 30 seconds until well chilled.
- Rim two 10-to-12-ounce tall cocktail glasses with salt. Fill each with crushed ice. Strain an equal amount of the cocktail into each glass. Garnish each with two raspberries and a lime slice and serve.
This is such a fun drink! I can’t wait to make it again for the summer.