Wondering how to make strawberry puree for margaritas? It’s a question we get quite frequently as February rolls around, here in the Pacific Northwest. There are a lot of methods out there, and I’m going to go through some of the benefits and drawbacks of each method — but first, let’s talk about WHY you would want to make homemade strawberry puree!
Strawberry Margarit
Brighten up happy hour with a homemade Strawberry Margarita on the rocks! These margaritas, made simple using three simple ingredients, are perfect for happy hour, mom’s night in, Cinco de Mayo and more! Makes 1 margarita, but can easily be scaled for a crowd.
Have you ever heard of a Mama Happy Hour?
It’s when mamas—and non-mamas, too—gather around the happiest hour of the day (which is also the most frantic hour of the day when you’re a stay-at-home parent) to share a drink, reconnect and let their kids run wild. (Within reason.)
Last week, I hosted the first ever Mama Happy Hour e-mail challenge. I wanted to encourage other mamas to spend time with their people, mix a drink and breathe after a long day of being with your kids.
The happy hour is open to all, so if you don’t imbibe, you’re welcome, too.
Why I Love This Recipe:
It’s hard not to love a Fresh Strawberry Margarita because it highlights fresh fruit. After all, this is a classic margarita for a reason.
This is a really simple recipe, too, because you need three ingredients: Stirrings Simple Margarita Cocktail Mix, silver tequila and strawberries. That’s it.
You don’t need to add triple sec, Cointreau or Grand Marnier to this recipe. You don’t even need fresh lime juice, either, because the margarita mix provides that for us.
It’s incredibly easy to make at home. It’s scalable, so you can make one or a batch for a crowd. And you don’t need to mix it in a blender with ice, which will inevitably water our cocktail down.
Below, I’ll share how you can turn this fresh Strawberry Margarita on the rocks into a mockarita, too!
- Stirrings Simple Margarita Cocktail Mix (or homemade margarita mix)
- Stirrings Margarita Rimmer Cocktail Garnish
- Cocktail shaker
- Blender or a muddler to puree/mash the strawberries
- Citrus juicer, for the mocktail
In addition to these tools above, you’ll need a few ingredients to make this tequila cocktail, too:
- Margarita cocktail mixer—I love the Stirrings margarita mix because it calls for REAL ingredients. Stirrings is the original “craft” cocktail mixer on the market, using real juice, cane sugar and no artificial preservatives. And since real juice is used in their mixers, they’re perfect for cocktails and mocktails.
- Silver tequila—100% pure agave, please and thank you.
- Strawberries—you may use frozen (and thawed) strawberries or the ripest, juiciest fresh fruit available
How Do You Make Strawberry Margaritas From Scratch?
Make The Strawberry Puree
Take a handful of strawberries, remove the stems, and blend in the blender.
I like to make a batch and store it in a mason jar for up to a week in the fridge.
You can also use a muddler on super ripe strawberries and turn them into a chunkier puree.
Mix The Mockarita First.
If you’re serving the non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks to mamas, make the mockaritas first. You don’t want to accidentally get alcohol into the non-alcoholic drinks. Especially if you’re using the same tools to make ’em.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the margarita cocktail mix, strawberry puree and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Add ice, and shake thoroughly, then pour into a glass, and enjoy immediately.
Make The Strawberry Margarita.
Rim the glass by running a lime wedge around the rim, and dip in the margarita rimmer. You may also use margarita salt or granulated sugar, if desired.
In a cocktail shaker, combine the margarita cocktail mix, strawberry puree and tequila. Add ice, and shake thoroughly.
Pour the cocktail into your prepared glass, and enjoy immediately. You can make this strawberry margarita on the rocks by pouring it over extra ice to keep it cold!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in a margarita on the rocks?
It’s a margarita poured over ice! We mix this margarita in a cocktail shaker and pour it into a glass without ice. However, you could easily pour it over ice to keep it cold in your glass.
What is a strawberry margarita made of?
This homemade strawberry margarita on the rocks is made from a margarita mix, silver tequila and strawberry puree.
What is the difference between strawberry margarita?
A strawberry margarita differs from a Classic Cointreau Margarita or a Cadillac Margarita. Why? It calls for strawberries. This recipe differs from a Frozen Strawberry Margarita because we’re using fresh (or thawed) strawberries to make the puree. Also, we make this one in a cocktail shaker, not a blender.
Where did the idea for a Mama Happy Hour come from?
Back in January, I got a text from a friend saying something along the lines of, “It’s been a day. Please come visit us. I’ll provide tacos so our kids can eat, and we can all just hang out for a bit. Also, please bring something to mix as a drink for us, and show me how to do it.”
And thus, the first Mama Happy Hour was born.
We’ve been getting together weekly ever since. Every time, we mix a different drink to enjoy as our kids play.
Is it perfect? No. Are our homes clean when it happens? Nope. Do our kids still have meltdowns? Absolutely.
But do we feel refreshed after long days when we gather, let our kids play and spend time together, too? YES.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips For Margaritas
Make it for a crowd! Quadruple the recipe to turn this strawberry margarita on the rocks into a pitcher drink! (You can even double this if you’re serving a large crowd.)
Not into alcohol? NO worries! You can turn this Strawberry Margarita recipe into a Virgin Margarita very easily. (Bonus points: This is also extra delicious!)
Make ahead tip: Mix the margaritas during naptime so that they’re done, and you can relax with you friends. (If your kids don’t nap, get them to help make the strawberry puree. They can also pour all the ingredients into a pitcher!)
Need a little sweetness? Add a little Stirrings Simple Syrup to your margarita or mockarita after mixing it.
Garnish ’em up: Decorate your glasses with the Stirrings Margarita Rimmer, extra strawberries or lime slices!
Strawberry Margarita
prep time: 10 MINUTES
total time: 10 MINUTES
Brighten up happy hour with a homemade Strawberry Margarita! These margaritas, made simple using Stirrings Margarita Mix and fresh strawberry puree, are a warm weather classic for a crowd. Mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker before pouring into salt-rimmed glasses. Serve immediately. These cocktails are a fun twist on the classic and incredibly easy to mix for one or more. Perfect for happy hour, mom’s night in, Cinco de Mayo and more!PRINTSAVE
Ingredients
- 3 oz. margarita cocktail mixer
- 1.5 oz. silver tequila
- 2 oz. strawberry puree
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass, and dip it in the margarita rimmer.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the margarita cocktail mix, strawberry puree and tequila.
- Add ice, and shake thoroughly.
- Pour into the prepared glass, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
To make a Virgin Strawberry Margarita, follow the same steps, but use the following ingredients instead:
- 2 oz. margarita cocktail mixer
- 1 ½ oz. strawberry puree
- 1 oz. lemon juice
If this drink is too tart for you, add ½ oz. of simple syrup after tasting the final drink.
STRAWBERRY MARGARITA RECIPE
Refreshing and simple Strawberry Margarita Recipe that is sweet and delicious. Made with tequila, strawberry puree, lime juice, orange-flavored liqueur, and maple syrup. Perfect at home cocktail for one.
There is still time to enjoy what is left of summer with a refreshing cocktail.
Just in case you think drink recipes have to be complicated and in large batches, then let me share with you they do not. I actually love sharing cocktail recipes that use simple ingredients and make enough to serve one person. Recently I have shared other margarita recipes such as a peach margarita, cherry margarita, and the classic original margarita. Each of these recipes is perfect for those times when you need to enjoy cocktail hour at home.
Today I will be sharing a strawberry margarita that is sure to add another option to your margarita collection. Be sure to save this recipe to give a try soon.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE NEEDED FOR THIS STRAWBERRY MARGARITA?
- Tequila – This truly comes down to preference, for this recipe I chose to use reposado tequila. This tequila is aged in oak for two months up to a year and this softens the taste a bit making it perfect for using in any margarita recipe. Other tequilas that are available are joven, anejo, blanco, and mixto.
- Fresh Strawberry puree – For this ingredient, you may substitute 1 tablespoon of strawberry preserves. Add fresh or frozen strawberries into a blender or food processor and process until slightly smooth.
- Lime juice – Use fresh limes or a lime juice that is 100% lime juice without any other additional ingredients. This is the most important part of the margarita in my opinion, so fresh lime juice is the best option to use.
- Orange-flavored liqueur – For this, you may choose to substitute orange juice. However, some particular brands of orange-flavored liqueur that are available are Triple Sec, Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and Curaçao. Go with whichever you prefer, I enjoy Cointreau personally to make my margaritas.
- Maple syrup – This twist really takes the flavor of the margarita up a notch. It provides so much depth and I prefer to use it instead of simple syrup. If you prefer to use simple syrup, simply mix one part cane sugar and mix with one part warm water until the sugar dissolves.
- Salt or sugar – Coarse sea salt, kosher salt, or large flake salt will work the best to rim the margarita glass. If you prefer to use sugar, then I love to use raw cane sugar.
- Ice – Crushed or cubed. For a frozen version, add all of the ingredients into a blender along with the ice and blend to your desired texture/smoothness.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST STRAWBERRY MARGARITA RECIPE:
Begin the recipe by using a cocktail shaker or jar with a lid to combine together the tequila, strawberry puree, lime juice, orange-flavored liqueur, and maple syrup together. Place the shaker top or jar lid on the shaker or jar and carefully shake for 10 to 15 seconds.
Pour the drink mixture from the shaker or jar into a glass. Top with a lime wedge for garnish. Serve and enjoy!
TIPS TO MAKE THE BEST MARGARITA RECIPE:
- To make strawberry puree add fresh or frozen strawberries into a blender and process until slightly smooth.
- You may substitute orange juice in the same unit of measure for the orange-flavored liqueur.
- Be sure to use fresh lime juice for this recipe. For an ounce use approximately the juice of 1 ½ small limes.
- Rim the glass with brown sugar. If you prefer to use salt, use coarse sea salt or kosher salt.
- If this margarita is too strong in terms of alcohol, adjust to your preference or allow the ice to melt a little before drinking to dilute.
- Double or triple the recipe as needed.
Strawberry Margarita Recipe
Refreshing and simple Strawberry Margarita Recipe that is sweet and delicious. Made with tequila, strawberry puree, lime juice, orange-flavored liqueur, and maple syrup. Perfect at home cocktail for one.
PREP TIME5 mins
COOK TIME0 mins
COURSEDrinks
CUISINEAmerican
CALORIES263 kcal
INGREDIENTS 1x2x3x
- 2 ounces tequila
- ¼ cup strawberry puree
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce orange-flavored liqueur or orange juice
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ice
- salt or sugar to rim glass (optional)
- lime wedge to rim glass (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Begin the recipe by using a cocktail shaker or jar with a lid to combine together 2 ounces of tequila, ¼ cup strawberry puree, 1 ounce lime juice, 1 ounce orange-flavored liqueur, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup together.
- Place the top/lid on the shaker or jar and carefully shake for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Grab your favorite glass and rub the rim with a slice of lime for the lime juice. Rub this part of the glass in brown sugar until the rim of the glass is completely covered.
- Add ice into the glass.Pour the mixture from the shaker or jar into the glass. Top with a lime wedge or peach for garnish. Serve and enjoy!
NOTES
- To make strawberry puree add fresh or frozen strawberries into a blender and process until slightly smooth.
- You may substitute orange juice in the same unit of measure for the orange-flavored liqueur.
- Be sure to use fresh lime juice for this recipe. For an ounce use approximately the juice of 1 ½ small limes.
- Rim the glass with brown sugar. If you prefer to use salt, use coarse sea salt or kosher salt.
- If this margarita is too strong in terms of alcohol, adjust to your preference or allow the ice to melt a little before drinking to dilute.
- Double or triple the recipe as needed.
Strawberry Margarita drink recipe
The Strawberry Margarita adds a strong dose of strawberry puree to the traditional margarita flavors of lime and orange. The tart and sweet flavors balance each other in a way that’s just right. And you can play with different ratios on each ingredient to get the exact flavor you want.
This is a fairly sweet drink that’s great for summertime – a wonderful choice to serve at a barbecue. It’s also terrific for anytime you wish it was summer. You won’t be surprised to hear that this drink pairs wonderfully with chocolate. Double chocolate brownies are great choice, as are chocolate peanut butter brownies. If you’ve ever had a peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich, you’ll know how great strawberry peanut butter can be together.
How to Rim a Cocktail Glass with Salt or Sugar
There’s one variation I love on this drink. You can leave out the simple syrup and rim the glass with sugar and strawberry juice. You can just dip the glass in strawberry juice and then sugar – that’s my preferred method. Or you can mix sugar and strawberry juice together on a plate, and dip the glass into that. Either way you do it, it makes for a slightly less sweet drink.
It’s also possible to make a nonalcoholic version of this drink. You just leave out the tequila, and use a splash of orange juice instead of triple sec. This keeps the flavor very true, but with no alcohol whatsoever. It’s a great mocktail for when you want the flavor, but not the alcohol.
Strawberry Margarita Recipe
- 2 cups crushed ice
- 1/2 cup strawberry puree (store bought, or frozen can or fresh strawberries, pureed)
- 1 cup tequila
- Juice of 2 limes
- Splash of triple sec
- Splash of simple syrup
Pour everything into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour it into margarita glasses – serves four – and garnish with strawberries.