Blueberry Margarita

Consider a classic margarita as a blank canvas for other flavors. Lots of fruits, from strawberries to mangoes, can be blended into a frozen margarita, but don’t limit yourself! When it’s time to think outside the margarita recipe box, go blue. This blueberry margarita is the next best use for frozen blueberries since your favorite breakfast smoothie.

This recipe calls for frozen blueberries, and you don’t need ice at all, which can water down your cocktail. The result is a smooth, icy frozen margarita full of natural fruit flavor. A touch of mint is just the thing to take this blueberry margarita over the top.

A blender is your friend when it comes to making frozen margaritas. It purees smoothly and evenly combines all the ingredients. Of course, if you don’t have a blender, you can always make a blueberry margarita on the rocks. We’ll tell you how to make both.

Blueberry Margarita Ingredients

• Blanco tequila: Blanco tequila is the best tequila for margaritas. This unaged tequila looks clear in the bottle but still has that quintessential agave flavor. You can also use an aged tequila, like a reposado, if you prefer.
• Triple Sec: Orange-flavored liqueur balances the zing of lime juice with sweet citrus tones. The Cointreau vs. Triple Sec vs. Grand Marnier debate really depends on how high-end you want to go. Cointreau and Grand Marnier are more top-shelf brands of orange-flavored spirits, and they can be used in margaritas. But since other flavors mask the orange, you might as well stick with a good-quality Triple Sec, which can be more affordable than the other two.
• Frozen blueberries: Blueberries have enough natural sweetness to sit well in a margarita without disguising the alcohol and other ingredients. Blending in frozen ones chills the drink without the diluting effect of ice. You can buy your favorite frozen brand of blueberries, or learn how to freeze any type of fresh fruit and make your own.

Directions

Step 1: Sugar the rim of your glass

Moisten the rim of your cocktail glass with the lime wedge, making contact all the way around the top of the glass. If desired, sprinkle sugar on a small plate. Hold the glass upside down, and dip the rim in the sugar, gently rotating it to make contact around the entire glass rim. Set the lime wedge aside for a garnish.

Editor’s Tip: For more sweetness in each sip, run the lime around the outside of the glass’s lip, as well, and then roll the rim at a 45-degree angle in the sugar. Salt can be used instead with either technique. Gently tap the glass when you’re done to dislodge any excess sugar or salt.

Step 2: Blend the cocktail

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In a blender, combine the tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, blueberries and mint. Puree until smooth. Pour the margarita into the prepared glass. Garnish with the lime wedge and, if desired, fresh blueberries and additional mint sprigs. Serve immediately.

Recipe Variations

• Use blackberries: Blackberries have a sweetness close to that of blueberries and give this cocktail a similar color, making them a good substitute. Or use both! For even more berry flavor, try using frozen wild blueberries, huckleberries, marionberries or other regional berries.
• Pick an herb: Mint adds a refreshing flavor to this cocktail, but other fresh herbs can be equally delicious. Try rosemary for an earthy note or basil for a bright, summery one. You could infuse the tequila with jalapenos, or blend in some Sriracha for a spicy upgrade. Take hints from these flavored margarita recipes, and let your imagination run wild.
• Make it even icier: Frozen blueberries chill this cocktail effectively, but you can throw up to 1/4 cup ice into the blender for an even colder drink. Be sure your blender has enough power to crush the ice evenly. Overblending the ice can make the drink watery. To prevent this from happening, start on the lowest setting, and increase the speed gradually.
• Add some sweetness: If your berries aren’t as sweet as you’d like them to be, or if the sugar rim isn’t enough, add some simple syrup to the blender to sweeten things up. Here’s how to make simple syrup for cocktails.

Can you make blueberry margaritas ahead of time?

You can make frozen blueberry margaritas ahead of time and store them in the freezer, which is great if you’re making a big batch for a party. The alcohol keeps the margarita from firming up too much, but you’ll still want to pop it back into the blender before serving. Make sure to use the mix withing a week to ensure it has good flavor.

Blueberry Margarita Tips

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How do you make a blueberry margaritas on the rocks?

You can make a blueberry margarita on the rocks with fresh blueberries. Add the fresh fruit to a cocktail shaker, and muddle until it’s well smashed. Add the other ingredients and some ice, and shake well until everything is nice and cold. Strain the drink into a prepared glass. Top with ice if desired, plus a lime wedge and a sprig of mint. If you only have frozen blueberries, thaw and muddle those instead.

What makes a blueberry margarita foamy?

Blending any beverage, whether a margarita or a smoothie, pulls in air, creating bubbles and foam. Blender speed and time can affect how many air pockets develop. To limit foaminess, use a high-powered machine that can fully puree the frozen blueberries at a low speed in just a few seconds. You may see even smoother results if you puree the blueberries before adding the other ingredients and then blend just enough to combine them. If a thin top layer of foam forms when you pour the margarita into a glass, break it down by stirring gently with a spoon.