Blackberries are prolific in the Pacific Northwest. In the summertime, I can hardly drive a mile without seeing a thorny, overgrown bush on the side of the road, practically bursting at the seams with juicy blackberries. I always have a ton at my disposal, even after making all my favorite blackberry recipes. So, when life gives you blackberries, make a blackberry margarita!
This blackberry margarita recipe is a fun twist on the classic margarita. It’s perfectly sweet and tart, balancing the juicy berry flavor with citrusy notes from the lime juice and orange liqueur. The quality of the blackberries is paramount, so look for berries with a deep purple, near-black color and a shiny finish. They should be plump but not so soft that they squish in your hands. Avoid underripe blackberries. These firm, red or light purple berries are more tart than sweet and have a bitter aftertaste.
If you have the opportunity to pick blackberries at a local farm, all the better. Just make sure to wear long sleeves—those thorny vines love to scratch bare arms!
Ingredients for Blackberry Margarita
- Blackberry syrup: To keep the crunchy seeds out of the cocktail, we cook the blackberries with sugar and water to transform them into a flavorful syrup. If you end up with extra syrup, try drizzling it over vanilla ice cream desserts.
- Tequila: We recommend blanco tequila for this recipe. The nuanced flavor of expensive reposado or añejo tequila will get lost in this fruity cocktail.
- Lime: Tart lime juice balances the sweetness of the blackberry syrup. Skip the bottled lime juice, and squeeze your limes fresh for best results.
- Triple Sec: This orange liqueur adds sweetness and citrusy flavor to margaritas.
- Coarse sea salt: Use this optional ingredient to add a salt rim to your cocktail glass.
Directions
Step 1: Make the blackberry syrup
In a small saucepan, combine the berries, sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, until berries are very tender, four to six minutes. Press the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl, and discard the seeds. Cover and refrigerate the blackberry syrup until chilled.
Step 2: Prepare the cocktail glass
If desired, moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime wedge. Sprinkle the salt on a plate, and dip the rim in salt. Fill the glass with ice.
Editor’s Tip: For a sweet twist, dip the rim in sugar instead of salt.
Step 3: Shake the blackberry margarita
In an empty cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, Triple Sec, 1-1/2 ounces blackberry syrup and lime juice. Fill with ice. Cover and shake until frost forms on the outside of the shaker, 15 to 20 seconds.
Step 4: Finish the blackberry margarita
Strain the margarita into the prepared glass. Garnish with lime wedge and, if desired, additional blackberries. Cover and refrigerate the remaining syrup for up to two weeks.
Recipe Variations
- Make a pitcher: Turn this single-cocktail recipe into a pitcher margarita by multiplying each ingredient by the number of servings. Then, combine them in a pitcher filled with ice cubes. Stir until condensation forms on the outside of the pitcher, 15 to 20 seconds.
- Skip the blackberry syrup: If you don’t want to make blackberry syrup, muddle two blackberries in the cocktail shaker. Add the tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice, and shake with ice as directed. To remove the seeds, strain the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer on its way into the prepared cocktail glass.
Can you make a blackberry margarita ahead of time?
You can make the blackberry syrup for margaritas up to two weeks ahead of time. Store it in a covered jar in the refrigerator. We don’t recommend mixing the cocktail with ice ahead of time, which can dilute the flavor as the ice melts. However, you can mix the ingredients together in a jar with a tightly fitted lid. Store it in the refrigerator, and shake it with ice as directed when you’re ready to serve.
Blackberry Margarita Tips
Can you make blackberry margaritas with frozen berries?
Blackberry margaritas taste best with fresh blackberries, but you can use frozen berries in a pinch. Add the frozen berries directly to the pot without thawing them so you don’t lose any of the precious juices.
What kind of tequila should you use for blackberry margaritas?
The best tequila for margaritas is 100% agave blanco or silver tequila. All tequila is made from blue agave, but it’s only legally required to contain 51% agave. If the bottle doesn’t say 100% agave, it’s a mixto tequila, or a tequila that’s been mixed with non-agave components. These tequilas don’t taste as good, so opt for pure agave for the best margarita experience.
The tequila’s aging process also affects the spirit’s final flavor. Blanco tequila is young and unaged, giving it a sharp, bright flavor that’s perfect for mixed drinks like margaritas. Reposado tequila has been aged in wooden barrels for at least two months, so it’s richer and has an oaky character. Those nuances can get lost in bold-flavored drinks like this blackberry margarita recipe. Añejo tequila is usually aged for one to three years, and it’s so complex we recommend sipping it solo.
