For a delightfully fruity twist to a classic cocktail, try this fresh blackberry margarita! Made with muddled blackberries, this refreshing margarita is bursting with summer's best flavor in every sip. Plus, this is one simple yet impressive cocktail to whip up, and it only takes a few minutes to prepare.
You'll want to make this margarita again and again -- and I say that speaking from experience. This blackberry margarita frequently makes an appearance at our at-home happy hours because we love it so much. Now let's go over everything you need to know about how to make your new favorite summer cocktail.
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Why You Need to Make This Recipe
Need an easy way to elevate any gathering? A seasonal signature cocktail is it. Bonus points when it’s extra pretty and goes down oh-so smoothly.
Enter this fresh blackberry margarita. With its lovely dainty hue, it’s perfect for Mother’s Day, bridal showers, bachelorette parties and weddings.
Even though this cocktail adds a touch of elegance, it’s still perfect for a casual backyard party. After all, it is a margarita. Talk about one versatile cocktail.
Plus, this cocktail doesn’t require any complicated mixology skills. A little muddling, pouring and shaking is all it takes. Whether you’re a novice or expert bartender, you can make this tasty blackberry tequila cocktail in a matter of minutes.
Ingredients
Let's chat about the blackberry margarita ingredients because we have some options here. For the tequila, I'm a big fan of using reposado in my margaritas. Reposado tequila ages in oak barrels for two to 12 months, resulting in a richer, more complex flavor. Blanco tequila, also known as silver tequila, doesn't spend any time aging, so I don't find it's quite as smooth and flavorful.
That said, if you have blanco tequila on hand and prefer to use that, you certainly can. I just think reposado makes for an even tastier margarita.
When it comes to orange liqueur, triple sec makes a great economical option, but if you're more of a top-shelf drinker, Grand Marnier or Cointreau are my favorites.
You'll notice I list simple syrup. I like my margaritas with a touch of sweetness, which we get with the blackberries, so I only add a smidge. If you prefer a more tart margarita, you may find the blackberries add enough sweetener. In that case, feel free to skip the simple syrup with this blackberry margarita.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: We grab our cocktail shaker and add fresh blackberries with the simple syrup (photo 1) and then muddle until the blackberries are nice and pulverized (photo 2).
Step 2: Now we add in our tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice and a handful of ice (photo 3). We put on the top and give it a good shake (photo 4).
Step 3: For an extra pretty presentation, we run a lime slice along the rim of our serving glass and then swirl the glass in coarse sea salt (photo 5). While this step is optional, I highly recommend it.
Step 4: And now we strain and serve this picture-perfect blackberry margarita! Isn't she a beauty?
Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! Margaritas are always great served pitcher style. For your convenience, I included proportions for 12 servings below in the notes section recipe card.
That said, if you'd like a different serving size, you can easily calculate the proportions. Simply multiply the ounces for each ingredient by the number of servings you'd like, and then divide that number by eight.
This gives you the measurements in cups. Cocktails are traditionally measured in ounces, but cups are much easier if you need to make a big pitcher.
One lime typically gives you 1 ounce of juice, which is enough for a single margarita. I like to pick up the same number of limes as servings with a few extra to be safe.
No problem. We can skip the alcohol for this blackberry margarita if you'd like. For a mocktail margarita, I like to swap the tequila with sparkling water. This also gives it a fizzy kick for an extra fancy touch.
We simply bring equal parts water and sugar to a boil, stir to dissolve the sugar and voilà! Just like that, we have our simple syrup. You can also buy simple syrup, but it's so easy that I like to make it and store it in the refrigerator. It will last for several weeks.
Plus, you can get creative and add different herbs to make a fun twist. Mint, thyme, rosemary and sage are some of my favorite herbal additions.
Bonus: See my strawberry-mint lemonade, plum-thyme margarita, rosemary Kentucky mule and pear-sage gin gimlet for some examples of these herbal syrups in action.
While I recommend getting one if you like making cocktails, you can substitute a large, sturdy wooden spoon and use that to muddle.
Expert Tips
- Not all limes are the same. Use limes that have some give when you press into them. Rock-hard limes are dried out.
- Before juicing the lime, firmly roll it on the countertop under your hand to help release the juice.
- To get a good, vigorous shake, use two hands. Not only does this help chill our margarita but is also ensures we get enough dilution, which we want.
- While I use simple syrup in my fresh blackberry margaritas, you could substitute agave nectar.
- Alternatively, if you prefer your margaritas less sweet, you may be fine without any sweetener. In that case, make the margarita without sweetener, taste and then add some if you’d like a sweeter touch.
Perfect Pairing
Looking for something savory? I love my salmon and burrata panzanella salad with this blackberry margarita. This hearty salad features a wonderful citrusy dressing that melds nicely with the fresh berry flavor.
Have a sweet tooth? You can't go wrong with my mixed berry-custard pie or blueberry-strawberry shortcake. With their extra dose of berries, this fruity margarita matches perfectly.
For one summery spin on everyone's favorite classic cocktail, I hope you try this fresh blackberry margarita. You will savor every sip.
Cheers!
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Fresh Blackberry Margarita
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker or jar with solid lid
- Muddler
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or small measuring cup
Ingredients
- ¼ heaping cup fresh blackberries
- 0.5 ounce simple syrup homemade or store-bought (see note)
- 2 ounces tequila preferably reposado
- 1 ounce orange liqueur preferably Grand Marnier or Cointreau
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 lime
- Ice
- Extra lime slices for garnish, optional
- Coarse sea salt for garnish, optional
- Additional fresh blackberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add the blackberries and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the blackberries are well-pulverized.
- Add the tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Put on the top and shake vigorously until well-chilled, about 15-30 seconds.
- If you'd like a salted glass, run a lime slice along the rim of the glass to moisten. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on a small plate and swirl the rim into the salt.
- Replace the cocktail shaker top with a cocktail strainer and strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with additional lime slices and blackberries if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- For a pitcher serving 12, use 3 cups blackberries, ¾ cup simple syrup, 3 cups tequila, 1 ½ cups orange liqueur and 1 ½ cups lime juice (about 12 limes). You can muddle the berries, or if you find it's easier for a big batch, you can pureé them.
- To make homemade simple syrup, bring a cup of water and a cup of white sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last several weeks if stored properly.
- Alternatively, you could substitute agave nectar for simple syrup. Or if you prefer your margaritas more tart, you could even skip the simple syrup and just enjoy the fruit as your sweetener. In that case, make the margarita without sweetener, taste and then add some if you’d like a sweeter touch.
- Not all limes are the same. Use limes that have some give when you press into them. Rock-hard limes are dried out.
- Before juicing the lime, firmly roll it on the countertop under your hand to help release the juice.
- To get a good, vigorous shake, use two hands. Not only does this help chill our margarita but is also ensures we get enough dilution, which we want.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
I love that you added a tip for making it non-alcoholic! Definitely giving this a go this long weekend 🙂
Glad that was helpful!
Super loved this blackberry margarita! So easy and it taste so amazing! So perfect for our night parties!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
This fresh blackberry margarita was a HUGE hit on a girl's night, and I loved how refreshing and flavorful the drink was so easy to make in large batches. A keeper cocktail for sure.
Sounds like a fun night!
I absolutely love margaritas, and this blackberry version using actual berries is one of the best. The only problem is that you cannot have only one =)
That's definitely the challenge!
This Fresh Blackberry Margarita is summer in a cocktail! I seriously adore this refreshing combo and I will be sipping on it all summer while the blackberries are plentiful.
You and me both!
I made this blackberry margarita, and it was simply delicious. I'm all about mix and shake and your margarita is simply perfect.
Thank you, Enriqueta! I'm glad you loved it as much as I do.
How refreshing and delicious is this drink. Gorgeous pics too. Perfect for summer. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much!
The perfect margarita for summer. The muddles fresh blackberries really make this drink.
So glad you loved it, Brianna!
Lots of great flavors going on in the drink with the orange, lime and blackberry. Gotta make for happy hour.
Absolutely!
Love the combination of Tequila and orange Liqueur to this super refreshing Lemony flavor and the dash of Blackberry Muddled. Definitely make someone's day special with this drink.
It really is delicious!
What a pretty drink. Perfect for summertime. I'm adding this to my list to try. Thanks for this lovely recipe!
You're so welcome, Natalie!
Made this weekend and the love it. The flavors were so fresh and lovely. This will be on my top list now.
I'll cheers to that!