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For warm days (or in our case, hot Texas days) call for cold, refreshing margaritas. This strawberry margarita recipe uses 5 simple ingredients and can be prepared and served on the rocks or frozen, perfect with a side of chips and queso or guac.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Strawberry margaritas are simple to make with just five ingredients; there is no reason not to make a batch or two all summer long.
The full ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- Tequila: You don’t need to splurge but you should buy a reputable brand. Blanco or Respado are preferred as Añejo will be too smoky – save that for sipping neat.
- Orange Liqueurs: There are so many orange liqueurs available, but we prefer to use Cointreau or Grand Marnier since they add far more character to your margarita than standard triple sec. You should splurge on a good orange liqueur if you want the best margarita.
- Strawberries: You will need some fresh and frozen. If all you can find is frozen, you can allow them to come to room temperature before making the simple syrup.
- Strawberry Simple Syrup: We use homemade strawberry simple syrup instead of regular simple syrup or another sweetener like agave. It adds additional strawberry flavor to make this our favorite strawberry margarita. In a pinch, you can substitute agave nectar or store-bought simple syrup for the strawberry simple syrup.
How to Make Strawberry Margaritas
Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: It is worth the extra time to make your own strawberry simple syrup. It stores in the refrigerator for 2 weeks and the leftover strawberries are great on top of pancakes or waffles.
Strawberry Simple Syrup:
- Remove the stems from the strawberries and cut them in half or in quarters. Combine the strawberries, water, and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Let the strawberries simmer until the sugar has dissolved and the strawberries are tender (approximately 20 minutes.) Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool completely.
- Once cool, strain the strawberry and liquid through a fine-mesh strainer making sure to squeeze any excess juice from the strawberries. Transfer the simple syrup into a bottle or jar, using a funnel if needed.
- The cooked strawberries are great as a topping for ice cream, pancakes, and waffles so don’t toss them! You can store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Strawberry Margaritas on the Rocks:
- Pour about 3 tablespoons of salt or sugar onto a plate. Rub the rim of your favorite cocktail glass with a slice of lime then dip it into the salt or sugar. Carefully fill each glass halfway with ice.
- Add the tequila, orange liqueur, strawberry simple syrup, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds and then using a cocktail strainer pour into the prepared glasses.
- Garnish with strawberry and lime slices and serve.
Frozen Strawberry Margaritas
- Pour about 3 tablespoons of salt or sugar onto a plate. Rub the rim of each glass with a slice of lime then dip it into salt or sugar.
- Add the tequila, orange liqueur, strawberry simple syrup, frozen strawberries, and lime juice to a blender. Blend until slushy.
- Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with strawberry and lime slices and serve.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- The strawberry simple syrup can be stored in an airtight bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- If you can’t find fresh strawberries you can use frozen for the simple syrup. Allow them to come to room temperature prior to cooking in the water and sugar.
- Margaritas on the rocks can be made in advance. Shake and store the mixture without ice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Frozen margaritas can be made and stored in a freezer-safe airtight container the freezer for up to 2 days. It won’t completely freeze because of the alcohol. Prior to serving mix thoroughly.
- Keep a couple of cocktail glasses in the freezer until you are ready to serve, as it will keep your margaritas colder a little longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strawberry simple syrup can be substituted with agave nectar or store-bought simple syrup. Note: the taste will be altered by the substitutions. Adjust amounts based on tastes.
Adjust the servings in the recipe card and then combine the appropriate amounts of strawberry simple syrup, tequila, orange liquor, and lime juice in a pitcher and stir well. Store in your refrigerator until ready to be served over ice.
Adjust the servings in the recipe card and then combine the appropriate amounts of strawberry simple syrup, tequila, orange liquor, frozen strawberries, and lime juice in a blender and blend until slushy. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze until ready to be served. Give it a quick stir before pouring it into prepared cocktail glasses.
Let’s Connect! If you make our Strawberry Margarita or any other recipe on Casual Epicure, please don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It helps others who are considering making our recipes and we love hearing about your cooking experiences. And if you snapped some shots, share them on Instagram, and be sure to tag @casual.epicure so we can feature them in our stories.
Other Recipes to Try
These margaritas go great with a couple of tacos or some queso and chips, we recommend checking out some of these:
- Red Chile Chicken Street Tacos
- Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
- Tex-Mex Queso
- Grilled Avocado Guacamole
Strawberry Margarita (On the Rocks or Frozen)
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan (2.5 Quarts)
Ingredients
Strawberry Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups strawberries, halved
Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks
- 1 ounce strawberry simple syrup
- 1.5 ounces tequila
- 0.5 ounces orange liqueur
- 1 ounce lime juice
Frozen Strawberry Margaritas
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 ounce strawberry simple syrup
- 1.5 ounces tequila
- 0.5 ounces orange liqueur
- 1 ounces lime juice
Instructions
Strawberry Simple Syrup
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let the strawberries simmer until the sugar has dissolved and the strawberries are tender approximately 20 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool completely.
- Once cool strain the through a fine-mesh strainer making sure to squeeze any excess juice from the strawberries. Transfer the simple syrup into a bottle or jar, using a funnel if needed.
Strawberry Margarita on the Rocks
- Rub the rim of each glass with a slice of lime then dip it into salt or sugar. Carefully fill each glass halfway with ice.
- Add the tequila, orange liqueur, strawberry simple syrup, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds and then using a cocktail strainer pour into the prepared glasses. Garnish with strawberry and lime slices and serve.
Frozen Strawberry Margaritas
- Rub the rim of each glass with a slice of lime then dip it into salt or sugar.
- Add the tequila, orange liqueur, strawberry simple syrup, frozen strawberries, and lime juice to a blender. Blend until slushy.
- Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with strawberry and lime slices and serve.