Not all of us are expert mixologists. Luckily, I’m here to bring you some healthier and easy cocktails that can be mixed from the comfort of your home: like these delicious and so EASY Blackberry Basil Margaritas.

What to Serve with Margaritas

This recipe makes a pitcher of simple cocktails, so enjoy yourself for a couple days or serve for a crowd — they still taste good the next day when refrigerated overnight! Pair these refreshing margaritas with other classic taco night favorites: tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, chips and salsa (or queso or guac), and more.

Blackberry Basil Margarita Ingredients

This recipe is so simple! Grab a standard 6 oz container of fresh blackberries, raw honey, about 5 limes, sea salt, some ice cubes, and a package of basil. For liquor, orange liquor is used. I prefer to use Grand Mariner or Cointreau. Learn more about the ingredients in your orange liquor here.

**To make your margarita gluten free, just make sure to use a quality liquor as discussed. The vast majority of margaritas are gluten free. For a vegan option, substitute agave or organic sugar for the honey in the recipe below.

Choosing the Best, Healthiest Tequila for Margaritas

I prefer to use a 100% agave silver tequila as other tequila types often use corn syrup or unnatural sweeteners and gold variations sometimes use caramel coloring. To learn more about tequila types, this guide was really helpful to me.

If you are like me and don’t love an intense flavor to your tequila, my favorite smooth and affordable options to use in this recipe are 1800^® tequila or Milagro^® tequila.

Alcohol Content of Margaritas

A typical margarita is between 2 and 3 ounces of alcohol. Each of these blackberry margaritas are 3 ounces of alcohol. They taste extra smooth due to the types of liquor chosen, the added honey, and the strong flavor of blackberries.

How to Make a Blackberry Puree & Blackberry Basil Simple Syrup

This recipe begins by making a standard simple syrup from a blackberry puree. Slightly less water is in the recipe to allow honey to be used as the sweetener (a more natural sweetener).

A simple syrup is typically made with fruit by bringing water to a boil, mixing in the sweetener, allowing the mixture to cool and then adding the fruit and pureeing until smooth. In this case, because blackberries have seeds, the simple syrup will need to be strained. Store the simple syrup in the refrigerator until cooled; all of it will be used in this recipe.

How to Make the Best Blackberry Basil Margarita

Prepping Your Margarita Glasses

Margarita glasses are typically rimmed. If you don’t have margarita glasses, stemless wine glasses and old-fashioned glasses can also be used.

To rim the glasses, take a lime wedge and run it along the rim. Add fine grain sea salt to a small plate, covering it fully. Place the glass top down into the salt and spin gently to add salt to the rim.

Assembling the Final Margaritas
To create the final margaritas, all ingredients, including the cooled simple syrup, can be added to the pitcher. Muddle in the basil leaves.

Prior to serving, strain the final mixture into each glass if full basil leaves are not desired. Add ice to cool the margaritas. For an extra hot day, add a few cubes of ice into individual margarita glasses as well.

Top Tip

For an extra touch, add a few whole blackberries to each glass, a slice of fresh basil, and a slice of lime on the rim; appearance is everything!

Here’s to a healthier Taco Tuesday and regaining our sparkle together,
✧❈✯✦Jenn✦✯❈✧