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HUGE flavor and a pop of color come together to make the best Frozen Strawberry Margarita. It is easy to make and an excellent warm-weather drink or just when you want to imagine Summer weather.

This classic deck-sipper can be yours today, so get your blender and put on your flavor pants. Whip up a batch of these frozen strawberry margaritas for your next party, Cinco de Mayo gathering, or simply treat yourself to a delicious and satisfying happy hour cocktail anytime.

Frozen Strawberry Margarita with Cointreau and strawberries in the background.
This Frozen Strawberry Margarita is so tasty and a great way to use fresh strawberries.

🍹 What makes this recipe special?

This is a classic cocktail, so it will hit all the traditional notes. This frozen margarita is particularly special, as it walks you through making a strawberry margarita with fresh strawberries. 

There are a few ways I will give you to change this up, but this is a step-by-step guide for making a classic frozen strawberry margarita drink. You get all the flavor, color, and heritage of the cocktail. 

If classic cocktails are your thing, check out our Perfect Margarita recipe, a Dark ‘N Stormy Cocktail, or a Classic White Russian Cocktail. In the mood to change it up a bit? Give this Monkey Gland cocktail a try. 

🍓 Ingredients

Strawberries and tequila are the stars of this drink, but you will need a few other simple ingredients. Here is what you will need:

  • Sugar
  • Ice
  • Tequila
  • Triple Sec
  • Fresh Lime juice
  • Simple syrup
  • Strawberries

See the recipe card for quantities.

Fresh Strawberries

Use fresh whenever possible. We have a secret spot where we can harvest wild strawberries once a year; it is a dream come true. 

I also made this recipe with frozen strawberries; it was a different ballgame. The end product ended up with a different consistency. While you can use frozen strawberries, I would highly recommend fresh berries for this recipe and getting natural flavors.

Sugar vs. Salt Rimmed Glass

Salt really accentuates the flavors of a traditional Margarita. A salted rim can soften bitterness in the triple sec and bring the lime flavor forward.

I think a traditional Margarita might be more of a discerning drink than I am about to present. The sweetness of this Frozen Strawberry Margarita really is a crowd-pleaser. 

The taste of the tequila almost goes away. It is mostly (not all) hidden behind the sweetness of our sugar and bold strawberry flavor. Additionally, we will candy-coat this drink by rimming the glass with sugar instead of salt. 

I think you can use either, but my recipe calls for sugar. While this slightly moves away from the traditional Margarita, we are also here to explore and make great drinks, right?

🍲 Instructions

This blender drink is as simple as taking all of our cocktail ingredients with some fresh strawberries and blending it. Finally, we pour our delicious margarita into a sugar-rimmed margarita glass and then enjoy.

🤷 Substitutions and variations

There are a few ways that this can be changed.

  • Tequila Brand – Blanco Tequila is what I use, but you can experiment with other tequilas. Reposado is slightly aged, but would also be a reasonable spirit. I would suggest avoiding the more gold tequilas, but they can also be fine.
  • Triple Sec – I use a brand called Cointreau, but Grand Marnier is great use whatever orange liqueurs you have or like!
  • Rim – This cocktail recipe is rimmed with sugar, but you can use salt. Maybe even try flavored salt, as well.
  • Simple Syrup – Don’t have simple syrup, a tablespoon of sugar, honey, or agave will do the trick.

🎓 History tidbit

The Frozen Strawberry Margarita is a popular variation of the classic Margarita cocktail, and you can check out the history of the classic margarita here. While the exact history of the Frozen Strawberry Margarita is unclear, it is believed to have been created in the United States during the 1970s or 1980s, when blended frozen drinks became a popular trend.

Some sources credit the origin of the Frozen Strawberry Margarita to Mariano Martinez, a restaurateur from Dallas, Texas, who developed a machine called the “Margarita Machine” in 1971 that could blend large quantities of Margaritas quickly and consistently. Martinez reportedly experimented with various flavors, including strawberries, and created the Frozen Strawberry Margarita to attract more customers to his restaurant.

The popularity of the Frozen Strawberry Margarita continued to grow throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and it became a staple of many Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants across the United States. Today, the Frozen Strawberry Margarita remains a beloved variation of the classic Margarita cocktail and is enjoyed by many worldwide as a refreshing and fruity frozen cocktail option.

❓ FAQ

Can I use frozen strawberries for a Frozen Strawberry Margarita?

Yes, frozen strawberries can be used for a Frozen Strawberry Margarita.

Can I make a Frozen Strawberry Margarita without alcohol?

Yes, a non-alcoholic version of a Frozen Strawberry Margarita can be made by omitting the tequila and triple sec and using a non-alcoholic substitute, such as sparkling water, soda, or fruit juice.

What kind of tequila is best for a Frozen Strawberry Margarita?

A good-quality blanco or silver tequila is typically used for a Frozen Strawberry Margarita, as it has a clean and smooth flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the strawberries.

Can I make a Frozen Strawberry Margarita in advance for a party?

Yes, Frozen Strawberry Margaritas can be made in advance and stored in the freezer until ready to serve. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container and let them thaw for a bit before serving.

What is the difference between a daiquiri and a margarita?

A daiquiri uses rum and margaritas use tequila.

📝 Tips and tricks

  • Use Fresh Strawberries when you can, but frozen strawberries will work, too.
  • Make sure you are using a good blender.
  • Making Simple Syrup is as easy as mixing 1 part hot water and 1 part sugar. Then mix and cool.
  • Use the spent lime to moisten your margarita glass before rimming with sugar.
Frozen Strawberry Margarita on a white cloth with the cocktail ingredients behind it!
This Strawberry Margarita is great for a hot day, Cinco De Mayo, or just a wonderful adult beverage.

🛠 Products used in this recipe

😋 Did you make this recipe?

That is awesome, and thank you so much for giving this Frozen Strawberry Margarita recipe a try. If you could leave a rating in the comment area below, it would be greatly appreciated. This lets me know how I am doing and also helps others decide if they want to make this recipe. Most of all, thanks for visiting Ramshackle Pantry.

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Frozen Strawberry Margarita with Cointreau and strawberries in the background.

The Best Frozen Strawberry Margarita

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Ben Myhre
  • Prep Time: 3 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 Minutes
  • Yield: 2 cocktails 1x
  • Category: Cocktails
  • Method: Blend
  • Cuisine: Mexican
Save Recipe

Description

Simple, tasty, sweet and a crowd pleaser! This Frozen Strawberry Margarita is a hit for any party or just for sipping on the deck.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • Sugar for rimming
  • 2 1/2 cups of ice
  • 4 ounces tequila
  • 2 ounces Cointreau
  • One lime
  • 1 ounce simple syrup
  • 2 cups whole strawberries (tops removed)

Instructions

  1. Add ice to blender
  2. Add tequila, Cointreau, juice from lime, simple syrup to blender
  3. Blend
  4. Feed strawberries into a blender and blend some more. About 20 seconds or fully blended.
  5. Using the spent lime, moisten margarita glass rim and rim with sugar
  6. Pour contents of blender into margarita glasses and serve

Notes

  • Use Fresh Strawberries when you can, but frozen strawberries will work, too.
  • Make sure you are using a good blender.
  • Making Simple Syrup is as easy as mixing 1 part hot water and 1 part sugar. Then mix and cool.
  • Use the spent lime to moisten your margarita glass before rimming with sugar.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 Margarita
  • Calories: 321 Calories
  • Sugar: 26 g
  • Sodium: 4 mg
  • Fat: 0 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 63 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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