Get ready for your new favorite spring and summer cocktail with this incredibly refreshing Strawberry Mint Margarita! This vibrant drink blends the sweetness of fresh strawberry puree with cool, aromatic mint simple syrup, tangy lime juice, smooth tequila, and a touch of orange liqueur. I absolutely adore this Strawberry Mint Margarita because it tastes like pure sunshine and uses fresh seasonal ingredients beautifully – it’s especially perfect right now in early May when strawberries and mint are often at their peak! It’s surprisingly easy to make the components from scratch and results in a perfectly balanced, herbaceous, fruity margarita perfect for pairing with chips and guacamole!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Mint Margarita
- Incredibly Fresh & Flavorful: Bursting with the taste of fresh strawberries, mint, and lime.
- Perfect Balance: A wonderful combination of sweet fruit, tart citrus, herbaceous mint, and smooth tequila.
- Easy Homemade Components: Simple instructions for making fresh strawberry puree and mint simple syrup.
- Refreshing Spring/Summer Cocktail: The ideal drink for patio sipping, BBQs, Cinco de Mayo, or any warm-weather gathering.
- Pretty Presentation: Looks beautiful in a salt-rimmed glass garnished with fresh fruit and mint.
Ingredients for Strawberry Mint Margarita
Here’s what you’ll need to make the components for this refreshing cocktail. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Mint Simple Syrup*
- Water (Liquid)
- Sugar (Sweetener)
- Packed fresh mint leaves (Herb)
Strawberry Purée*
- Strawberries, stems removed and halved (Fruit)
Margarita
- Tequila (Silver/Blanco recommended) (Liquor)
- Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur like Cointreau/Triple Sec) (Liqueur)
- Freshly squeezed lime juice (Acid)
- Strawberry purée (from above) (Fruit Puree)
- Mint simple syrup (from above) (Sweetener/Flavoring)
- Ice (Ice)
Rim & Garnish
- Margarita salt (or coarse sea/kosher salt) (Seasoning)
- Lime wedge (Fruit)
- Halved strawberries (optional garnish) (Fruit)
- Fresh mint sprig (optional garnish) (Herb)
(Notes refer to original recipe details regarding making syrup/puree ahead) (Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the classic strawberry-mint combination, but feel free to customize your Strawberry Mint Margarita:
- Make it Spicy: Muddle a few thin slices of jalapeño or serrano pepper in the cocktail shaker before adding other ingredients.
- Different Berries: Use raspberries or blackberries instead of strawberries for the puree.
- Different Herbs: Make a basil simple syrup instead of mint for a strawberry basil margarita.
- Add Bubbles: Top with a splash of club soda or Prosecco after shaking for some fizz.
- Smoky Twist: Use mezcal instead of tequila.
- Non-Alcoholic: Omit tequila and Grand Marnier. Combine strawberry puree, mint simple syrup, lime juice, and top generously with sparkling water or club soda for a delicious mocktail.
How to Make a Strawberry Mint Margarita
Making this vibrant Strawberry Mint Margarita involves preparing the syrup and puree, then shaking the final drink:
Make the Mint Simple Syrup
- First, I prepare the easy mint-infused simple syrup. In a small saucepan, I combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar.
- I bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Once boiling, I stir in the 1 cup of packed fresh mint leaves.
- I immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
- I let the mint steep in the syrup as it cools completely to room temperature.
- Once cooled, I strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar or container, pressing gently on the mint leaves and then discarding them. (This syrup stores well in the fridge!)
Make the Strawberry Purée
- Next, I make the fresh strawberry puree (sometimes called strawberry juice in the instructions). I add the hulled and halved fresh strawberries to my blender.
- I blend on high speed until the strawberries are completely smooth.
- For an extra smooth puree (optional but recommended), I strain the blended strawberries through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl. I sometimes need to use a spoon or spatula to help push the puree through the strainer, leaving the tiny seeds behind.
Prep Glass and Shake Margarita
- Now, I prepare my margarita glass. I moisten the outer edge of the glass rim with a fresh lime wedge.
- I dip the moistened rim into margarita salt spread on a small plate until evenly coated.
- I fill the prepared glass with crushed ice (or regular ice cubes).
- In a cocktail shaker, I add a handful of regular ice cubes.
- I add the tequila, Grand Marnier, freshly squeezed lime juice, the prepared strawberry purée (2 ounces per margarita), and the cooled mint simple syrup (1 ½ ounces per margarita) to the shaker.
- I secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled and frosty.
Strain and Serve
- Strain into prepared glass
- Garnish and serve!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Margarita
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Strawberry Mint Margarita:
- Use Fresh Strawberries & Mint: Essential for the best, brightest flavor, especially when they are in season!
- Fresh Lime Juice: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice – it makes a huge difference compared to bottled.
- Strain Puree (Optional): Straining the strawberry puree removes seeds and creates a smoother final cocktail texture.
- Chill Syrup & Puree: Ensure your homemade simple syrup and strawberry puree are completely cool before using them in the shaker with ice.
- Shake Vigorously: A good, long shake ensures the drink is perfectly chilled, slightly diluted, and well-aerated.
- Adjust Sweetness/Tartness: Taste the finished margarita before serving. Add a touch more simple syrup if you like it sweeter, or a tiny bit more lime juice if you prefer it tarter.
How to Serve
This Strawberry Mint Margarita is best served immediately while icy cold! Enjoy it:
- Chilled: Strained over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed margarita glass or rocks glass.
- Garnished: With halved fresh strawberries, a fresh mint sprig, and/or a lime wedge/wheel.
- For Spring/Summer Parties: A perfect signature cocktail for Cinco de Mayo, BBQs, patio gatherings, or bridal showers.
- With Mexican Food: Pairs beautifully with tacos, chips and guacamole, salsa, or ceviche.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Mint Simple Syrup: Can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Strawberry Purée: Can be made up to 2-3 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- Cocktail: Like most shaken cocktails with fresh juice, this margarita is best made fresh to order. Pre-batching the base (tequila, liqueurs, juices, syrup) without ice is possible for parties, but shake individual servings with ice just before pouring.
FAQs about Strawberry Mint Margarita
- Can I use frozen strawberries for the puree?
- Yes! Thaw frozen strawberries completely first, then blend and strain as directed. The flavor will still be delicious.
- What if I don’t have Grand Marnier?
- Substitute with another orange liqueur like Cointreau or a quality Triple Sec.
- Can I make this less sweet?
- Absolutely. Start with less mint simple syrup (try 1 ounce or ¾ ounce) and add more only if needed after tasting the shaken cocktail.
Enjoy this incredibly fresh, flavorful, and festive Strawberry Mint Margarita! It’s the perfect sip for warmer days.
Print
Strawberry Mint Margaritas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- cooling time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Beverage, Booze, Cocktail, Drink, Margarita
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, American
Description
These Strawberry Mint Margaritas are so refreshing and perfect for spring and summer! They’re made with an easy mint simple syrup, freshly puréed strawberry juice, tequila, Grand Marnier, and lime juice. Pair these with some chips and guac!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mint Simple Syrup (Makes Extra):*
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed fresh mint leaves
For the Strawberry Purée (Makes Extra):*
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, stems removed and halved
For the Margarita (per serving):
- 2 ounces tequila (Blanco or Reposado, 100% agave recommended)
- 1 ounce Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur like Cointreau)
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces fresh Strawberry Purée (from recipe above)
- 1/2 ounce Mint Simple Syrup (from recipe above, adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
For Serving/Rim & Garnish:
- Coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt)
- Lime wedge (for rimming and garnish)
- Halved fresh strawberries
- Fresh mint sprig
Instructions
1. Make the Mint Simple Syrup:
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Once boiling, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the fresh mint leaves.
- Let the mint steep in the syrup until it cools completely (at least 30 minutes).
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing gently on the mint leaves. Discard the mint leaves. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
2. Make the Strawberry Purée:
- Add the halved strawberries (stems removed) to a blender.
- Blend until completely smooth.
- Strain the puree through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or jar, using a spoon or spatula to help push the juice through. Discard the seeds/solids left in the strainer. Store leftover puree in the refrigerator for a few days.
3. Prepare the Margarita Glass:
- Pour coarse margarita salt onto a small plate.
- Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your margarita or coupe glass to moisten it.
- Dip the moistened rim into the salt, rotating the glass to coat evenly.
- Fill the prepared glass with crushed ice or regular ice cubes.
4. Make the Margarita:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes.
- Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, 2 ounces of strawberry purée, and 1/2 ounce of mint simple syrup to the shaker. Adjust simple syrup amount based on desired sweetness.
- Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
5. Serve:
- Strain the margarita mixture from the shaker into the prepared, ice-filled glass.
- Garnish with halved fresh strawberries, a fresh mint sprig, and a lime wedge, if desired.
- Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Simple Syrup & Puree: Both the syrup and puree make extra and can be stored in the refrigerator. Use leftover syrup in other drinks or tea; use puree in smoothies or over yogurt.
- Mint: Use fresh mint for the best flavor in the syrup.
- Strawberries: Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the puree.
- Sweetness/Tartness: Adjust the amount of mint simple syrup and lime juice to balance the drink to your preference.
- Storage: This cocktail is best made fresh and enjoyed immediately.