It’s hard to imagine taco Tuesdays or hot summer afternoons by the pool without a pitcher of margaritas. The classic lime-and-tequila cocktail is always a crowd-pleaser, but sometimes you want just a little variation to get things exciting. This raspberry margarita is just the ticket.
Our raspberry margarita gives you the zesty lime you’re used to in a margarita, plus the added tartness of ruby-red raspberries. And by using frozen raspberries, you transform the standard marg into a blended treat you’re going to want to sip all afternoon. When you’re ready for your next cocktail adventure, check out our collection of margarita recipes, and enjoy experimenting with all sorts of different flavors and fruits.
So pull out your preferred cocktail glasses, slice some lime wedges, rim your glassware with sugar and let’s get blending!
Ingredients for Raspberry Margarita
- Raspberries: The raspberries that star in this margarita come in two forms: frozen whole berries and raspberry liqueur (bone up on the difference between liquor and liqueur here). You can also purchase a carton of fresh raspberries for garnishing the glass.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is the trick to making the best margaritas. Store-bought lime juice just isn’t as intense. Use up any leftover fruits in our lime recipes.
- Tequila: We used a blanco tequila for this recipe because it tends to lean more citrusy and agave-forward, versus the toasted and warming hints of a gold tequila. (Psst: Check out our tutorial on what tequila is actually made from, and what the different styles are like.)
Directions
Step 1: Rim the cocktail glass
Using a lime wedge, moisten the rim of the cocktail glass you’re using. If desired, dip the rim in a plate of sugar.
Step 2: Blend the ingredients
In a blender, add the tequila, raspberry liqueur, lime juice and raspberries. Puree until smooth, and pour into the prepared glass.
Editor’s Tip: Since this recipe only makes one serving, double or triple the recipe before adding the ingredients to the blender so you can make multiple margaritas all at once.
Step 3: Garnish
If you’re just here for the margs, we totally get it. But if you’re wanting a few extra presentation points, garnish the glass with a speared lime wedge, fresh raspberries and candied ginger (or just one of these).
Recipe Variations
- Make it spicy: Break up the sweetness of the frozen raspberry margarita. Add a few slices of fresh jalapeno blended into the mix.
- Try a ginger liqueur: Ginger would go well with the tart raspberries and zesty lime. If you can find ginger liqueur, swap it for the raspberry liqueur.
- Infuse the tequila: For an added depth of flavor, infuse your tequila with basil before using it here. Lightly crush fresh basil leaves to release their aroma, then place the leaves in a Mason jar. Pour in the tequila, and tightly seal the jar. Keep it sealed for at least eight hours, but a few weeks will give you an even deeper flavor. Remove and discard the basil, then use the tequila in the margarita.
How long does a raspberry margarita last?
Since this is a frozen drink, we recommend making it right when you’re ready to enjoy it. If you opt for fresh raspberries over frozen, you can make a few servings all at once, then store it in a covered pitcher for up to 24 hours. Be sure to give it a good stir before pouring into individual glasses later.
Raspberry Margarita Tips
What is the best tequila for margaritas?
Like all recipes that use tequila, you should opt for a good brand if you want your margaritas to have a cocktail-bar quality. The good thing about frozen raspberry margaritas is that there are so many other strong flavors, you don’t necessarily need to splurge on top-shelf bottles. Here’s a roundup of our favorite brands of tequila for margaritas.
Can you use fresh raspberries instead of frozen?
You can absolutely use fresh raspberries instead of frozen. The finished drink won’t have the same icy texture, but it’ll still be a wonderfully thick margarita. You could add some ice to recreate the frozen consistency, but it might water the drink down.
