It’s unbelievable that August is almost over. This summer has been pretty nuts. It’s the first summer that I’ve been working full time since graduating from college. While it’s a little strange to not be on summer vacation, I’ve definitely learned the importance of making summer weekends count! One of my favorite ways to savor the good times is with a fun, fruity drink in hand. This Blackberry Basil Margarita is my new favorite summer cocktail. Loaded with fresh blackberries and basil, and topped with a basil sugar rim, these drinks are like Pacific Northwest Summers in a cup.
Basils + berries have been my cooking inspiration this summer. I always love using fresh herbs in new ways, and lately I find myself wanting to use basil sugar in all my baking!
Tools & Tips
There are several kitchen gadgets that I’d recommend using when making this Blackberry Basil Margarita. First off, a mixology kit is super useful for muddling, shaking, and straining the cocktail. However, if you don’t have a mixology kit, you can use a large wooden spoon in place of a cocktail muddler, and you can stir the margarita rather than shaking it.
Lime juice is an essential component of margaritas. To get the most out of your limes, I highly recommend using this citrus squeezer. You’ll get so much more juice than you would squeezing by hand!
Related Recipes
Looking for more ways to use basil sugar? Basil sugar is a summer obsession of mine; it goes so beautiful with bright, fruity flavors! I highly recommend trying these Strawberry Basil Muffins. They’re soft and tender, and packed with fresh strawberries.
If you’re seeking more ways to make the most of blackberry season before its over, try this Easy-Peasy Blackberry Compote. It’s seriously so easy, and super tart and delicious! I love it over warm Vanilla Bean Buttermilk Pancakes, but you can also enjoy it atop ice cream or toast.
Blackberry Basil Margarita
Ingredients
- 4-5 blackberries plus more for serving
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 3-4 large basil leaves thinly sliced
- Juice from 1/2 lime plus additional lime wedges for serving
- 2 ounces white tequila
- Ice
Basil sugar rim
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
- Leaves from 1 sprig basil
Instructions
- Make basil sugar for the glass rim by combining 1/4 cup sugar and leaves from 1 basil sprig in a food processor. Pulse until the basil leaves are fully incorporated, and you can no longer see whole pieces of leaf in the sugar.
- Pour basil sugar onto a plate. Wet the edges of a small glass with water, and roll the cup onto the basil sugar to form the sugar rim. Fill glass with ice.
- In a cup or drink shaker, combine blackberries, simple syrup, sliced basil leaves, and juice from 1/2 lime. Macerate with a cocktail muddle or a wooden spoon. Add about a cup to a cup and a half of ice (depending on the size of your cup or cocktail shaker). Add tequila, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Pour through a strainer into the prepared glass. Serve with lime wedges and fresh blackberries.
Note: this post contains affiliate links
YUM these are seriously so good!!
Wonderfully refreshing!