A Simple & Delicious Raspberry Margarita

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: my happiest Happy Hours are always at home! Not only do I love playing mixologist by whipping up some fancy libations for my nearest and dearest (see my Pornstar Martini, Grapefruit Gin Cocktail, and Paper Plane Cocktail for more inspo), but I also love the fact that I can show up in my slippers.

After a wet and wild winter, spring is beginning to show herself here in (normally) sunny Southern California and I couldn’t be happier about it. To celebrate, I bought a big haul of brightly colored berries and have been adding them to my overnight oats, cakes, Rice Krispie treats, and now, cocktails, too!

 Aside from tasting like an ambrosial nectar, this delectable raspberry classic margarita recipe is also:

• Made With Only 5 Ingredients - They’re easy to find, easy to pronounce, and all-natural to boot.
• Quick & Easy - All you need is a few minutes and a cocktail shaker to make a fabulously frosty raspberry margarita on the rocks. Cheers to that!
• Budget-Friendly - Every time Calvin and I go out for drinks, we’re always met with a serious case of sticker shock. How could ONE drink possibly cost upwards of $15 plus tip?!? Playing your own bartender means you can have several rounds (with several friends!) for less than the cost of just two drinks at your local watering hole.

🍴Ingredients

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make this bright and fresh berry margarita. Here’s what to grab:

• Tequila - I personally like to use tequila blanco for its lighter, more citrusy flavor profile. Feel free to use reposado for a warmer flavor, or cristalino for a high-roller feel.
• Raspberry Simple Syrup - This deliciously sweet twist on simple syrup is made using just raspberries, sugar and water. Feel free to swap in a store-bought version if you prefer, but my homemade recipe is fast and simple and will last for up to a month in the fridge or 6 months in the freezer! It also has a lovely pink hue and the fresh flavor adds a punch of natural sweetness to the fruity margarita - or to a raspberry martini if you're in the mood!
• Fresh Limes - If possible use only fresh lime juice for the best flavor. As an added bonus of using fresh citrus, you’ll also have a pretty garnish.
• Fresh Raspberries - Adding a pretty (and edible) garnish to your homemade libations makes them feel extra special. Plus, fresh berries are good for you!
• Rim Salt - I recommend using large-flaked kosher salt or fine sea salt for your cocktail rims. If possible, avoid using iodized table salt which has a bitter aftertaste.

📖 Step by Step Instructions

This festively fuschia refreshment will be ready for cheersing in no time. Here’s how to make one:

Step 1: Shake. Add tequila, simple syrup, and lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds.

Step 2: Rim Glass. Trace the lime wedge around rim of the glass, and the slightly wetted rim into a plate with rim margarita salt

Step 3: Strain into a margarita prepared glass with ice cubes and garnish with a cocktail stick with raspberries & lime wedges or a lime wheel. Enjoy!

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

As much as we love this sensationally slurp-worthy recipe for raspberry margaritas, there is always room for you to make any classic cocktail your own. Here are a few variations worth considering:

• Virgin Raspberry Margarita - Swap in your favorite NA tequila (e.g. Ritual or Free Spirits) for a bright and booze-free sipper.
• Black Raspberry Margarita - If you can get your hands on the raspberry-blackberry hybrid known as black raspberries, they’d be a lovely choice for this drink recipe.
• Spicy Raspberry Margarita - Add some heat by infusing your raspberry simple syrup with sliced jalapeño coins. Add an extra pop of heat by using Tajin as your rim salt for the glass rim.
• Raspberry Frozen Blended Margarita - If you prefer your tropical drinks in frozen form, I see you. Add the tequila, lime juice, and raspberry syrup to a blender pitcher, add a handful of frozen raspberries, and blend to frosty perfection. You can also switch things up by using different types of frozen fruit (e.g. mango or rhubarb).
• Swap Your Fruit - As much as I love ruby-hued raspberries, you’re welcome to swap in whichever fresh fruit flavored simple syrup you prefer in your traditional margarita! Use orange liqueur, raspberry liqueur or strawberries!
• Sweeten The Rim - Add sugar and/or crushed freeze-dried raspberries to the salt for a boost of sweetness and color to your perfect cocktail.

👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

• If you want to batch your raspberry tequila cocktail for a party, simply mix up a pitcher of the base mixture using a ratio of 1 : 1.5 : 2 of syrup, tequila, and lime juice. Set it out next to a cocktail shaker and ice bucket with a bowl of pre-garnished swizzle sticks so your guests can serve themselves. 
• Shake it like you mean it. If you’ve ever gone to a swanky bar and seen the bartender shaking a drink like it was a live art performance, they weren’t doing it just to look cool. The act of shaking helps to both chill and aerate the drink by breaking tiny shards of ice that become suspended in the liquid. Aim for 30-45 seconds of vigorous agitation. If you need help, I find Outkast usually gets me in the right frame of mind. 😉
• Get the most juice from your limes by giving them a firm roll on the counter for 10-15 seconds before slicing them open.
• Add a raspberry sugar rim on your glass to add some flavor and a bit of garnish!

💭 Recipe FAQs

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