Fresh Blackberry Margarita

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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.

Two fresh blackberry margaritas on lace with pink and purple flowers in the background.

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Why You Need to Make This Recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Recipe FAQs
Expert Tips
Perfect Pairing
Love Margarita Recipes?
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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.

Related: Love blackberries cocktails? You'll also love this blackberry bourbon smash and blackberry julep.

Ingredients

Let's chat about the blackberry margarita ingredients because we have some options here.

Tequila: 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.

Orange liqueur: 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.

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.

Pictured is a plain simple syrup, but you're welcome to use my blackberry simple syrup for even more flavor, and it's wonderful in so many other blackberry cocktails.

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).

A photo collage showing the process of muddling the blackberries.

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).

A photo collage showing the process of adding the liquids and shaking.

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.

Showing the process of swirling the glass in salt for a garnish.

Step 4: And now we strain and serve this picture-perfect blackberry margarita! Isn't she a beauty?

A fresh blackberry margarita on white lace with flowers behind it.

Recipe FAQs

Can you make this pitcher style?

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.

Can you make nonalcoholic version?

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.

How do I make simple syrup?

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.

How do you muddle without a muddler?

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!

A blackberry margarita with a pink flower and blackberries to the side.

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