Strawberry Mezcal Margaritas
on Jul 20, 2022, Updated Jul 03, 2024
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Elevate your margaritas by adding mezcal to them! These Strawberry Mezcal Margaritas are the perfect balance of sweet, tart, and a hint of smoky flavor thanks to mezcal. They’re a must make cocktail this summer!
Summer cocktails are my favorite to make and drink. I tend to enjoy cold drinks over hot, unless we’re talking coffee.
Lately I’ve been loving cocktails made with tequila. This Paloma Cocktail is so fresh and citrusy and perfect for a hot day. If you’re in the mood for a margarita, but want something a little different, I highly recommend giving these Strawberry Mezcal Margaritas a try.
Mezcal is what really makes these margaritas extra special. If you’ve never had mezcal before it adds a slightly smoky flavor to cocktail. Depending on the brand of mezcal you use the smoke flavor may be light or strong.
What Is Mezcal?
Mezcal is an agave based liquor. Tequila is actually a type of mezcal. Some of the differences between the two are, tequila is only produced from one type of agave. It’s also produced in a different region in Mexico than mezcal.
Mezcal is produced from a variety of agaves. Oaxaca, in southern Mexico, is primarily where mezcal is produced.
The process in which tequila and mezcal are made is also different and what gives them very different flavors. Tequila is made by steaming the agave, whereas the agave used to make mezcal is roasted giving it a smoky flavor.
How smoky mezcal tastes is dependent on the brand. Some are very subtle while others taste like a campfire.
Ingredients For Strawberry Mezcal Margaritas
Mezcal – The brand you choose is going to determine how smoky the margarita tastes. I suggest asking someone who works at the liquor store if you aren’t sure. I used the Derrumbes brand, which I found to have a lighter smoky flavor that didn’t overpower the strawberries.
Tequila – I found that using both tequila and mezcal was a nice way to balance the smoke flavor. If you prefer to use all mezcal you can.
Cointreau – A sweet orange liquor commonly used in margaritas. Triple Sec is the other commonly used brand.
Strawberries – Look for ripe strawberries for the best flavor. Ones without white or green on them, dark red in color, and that smell like strawberries are your best bet.
Limes – Limes are a necessary ingredient for margaritas. Use fresh squeezed lime juice over bottled for the best flavor.
Agave Syrup – Since this is a margarita I like to stick with agave as the sweetener since that’s what tequila and mezcal are made from. However, you can use simple syrup or honey if you prefer.
How To Make Margaritas
Making these mezcal margaritas is really no different than if you were making a traditional margarita, with the exception that you’ll be adding strawberry juice to them.
Start by making the strawberry purée or juice if you choose to strain it like I did. Add strawberries to a regular or high speed blender and purée until smooth. If for some reason they won’t blend on their own, add a tablespoon of water.
Rim two margarita or low ball glass with lime juice and dip them in course kosher salt or sea salt.
Add the strawberry purée or juice if you strained it to a jar or cocktail shaker. Pour in the tequila, mezcal, cointreau, agave, and lime juice. Cover and shake until well combined.
Add ice to the salt rimmed glasses and pour equal amounts of the margarita into each glass. Garnish with a strawberry or lime wedge if desired.
Can I Make The Margaritas Without Mezcal?
Yes. If you want to just use tequila, simply replace it. No need to change the amount used, unless of course you want a stronger or weaker margarita.
Tips For The Best Strawberry Margaritas
- Use ripe sweet strawberries
- Chill the tequila, mezcal, and Cointreau before making the margaritas. This will keep the ice from melting as quickly and diluting the margaritas.
- Use good quality tequila and mezcal.
- Taste the margarita before adding it to glasses. This way you can easily adjust them with more sweetener, lime juice, strawberry juice, or alcohol.
More Cocktails You’ll Love
- Strawberry Rosé Spritzer
- Spicy Watermelon Margaritas
- Strawberry Lime Vodka Smash
- Peach Rosé Sangria
- Bourbon Peach Slush
Did you make these Strawberry Mezcal Margaritas? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Strawberry Mezcal Margaritas
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries hulled
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 1 1/2 ounces Cointreau
- 3 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice
- 2 ounces agave syrup
- Salt for the rim of the glasses and strawberries or lime wedges for garnish optional
Instructions
- Add the strawberries to a blender and purée until smooth. Strain the purée if desired. You'll have more strawberry purée than you need. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Add 3-4 ounces of the strawberry purée or juice, tequila, mezcal, Cointreau, agave syrup and lime juice to a jar or cocktail shaker. Shake until well combined.
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of two margarita or low ball glass and then dip them in coarse kosher or sea salt. Add ice to the glasses and divide the margaritas evenly into them. Garnish with a strawberry or lime wedge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
a great idea for a Saturday cocktail, and great use of that old bottle of mezcal in the back of the liquor cabinet, thank you