Today is my Birthday!
Last year, I posted one of my all-time favorite sweet treats for my birthday – Prosecco Soaked Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
This year, I am going to share the recipe for one of my favorite drinks – Blackberry Margaritas! Yes, I see that both involve alcohol but it is my birthday and that always deserves a bit of a celebration!
Generally, I am more of a wine than liquor kind of girl but I make exceptions for authentic (meaning no nasty sour mix) Margaritas, really good Dirty Vodka or Gin Martinis and a handful of other fun drinks like my Skinny Colada, Harvest Sangria and Raspberry Rosé Sangria (the Sangria’s are wine based though). Another summer favorite is a Watermelon Cooler with Citrus Vodka – I should post that recipe for you – it’s great for BBQ’s and Pool Parties!
Back to the margaritas though – when it comes to margaritas, I like to keep it simple.
You only need good Blanco Tequila, good Orange Liquor and fresh squeezed lime juice. Maybe a salt rim if you are into that and, of course, in this case some fresh fruit to infuse a fun flavor. Awesome authentic Margaritas are about excellent quality ingredients mixed at the perfect ratio and shaken over a lot of ice!
If you don’t like the tartness of Blackberries, feel free to substitute almost any fresh fruit. Strawberries, Raspberries, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Pear and Mango work particularly well.
Oh, and see these beautiful pictures, yeah, they were taken by Pamela Bolig (Remember my photographer friend who is teaching me how to take better pictures?). Aren’t they gorgeous? That is my back patio – she made it look like a magazine but in reality it’s overgrown and needs some tender love and care. I think I am going to use the photos as inspiration for what I WANT the back to actually look and feel like. Thanks Pam!
Notes + Tips:
- To easily rim your serving glasses with kosher salt, take a small plate (larger than the circumference of the serving glass) and spoon a layer of kosher salt on the plate. Grab a lime wedge and slice a 1/4″ slit in the center. Place the lime slit over the lip of the glass and run it all the way around so the rim of the glass is covered with lime juice. Remove the lime wedge and gently dip the glass into the salt. Shake off any excess salt and continue using the same lime wedge and salt for all remaining glasses.
- Some brands (this is by no means comprehensive, just what I buy) of Blanco Tequila I like are Don Julio Tequila Blanco, Cabo Wabo Tequila Blanco, Patron Silver and my personal favorite for taste and price — Espolon Blanco Tequila.
- When it comes to Orange Liquor, I usually stick with Gran Gala, Patron Citronge Liqueur or Cointreau Liqueur. While I really love the taste of Grand Marnier Liqueur, I find it too heavy for Blanco Tequila.
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!
Blackberry Margaritas Recipe. Homemade, Junk-Free and Delicious!
- 1 pint organic blackberries
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- blender or food processor
- mesh strainer
- Juice from 2 medium limes
- 2 tablespoons fresh blackberry puree see below
- 3 ounces Blanco Tequila
- 1 1/2 ounces Orange Liquor
- pinch sea salt
- kosher salt for rim optional
- ice cubes for shaking
Wash and rinse the blackberries. Place in the body of a blender or food processor and add 1 Tablespoon cold water. Process until completely liquefied.
Strain into a small bowl through a mesh strainer to remove seeds. Use a spatula or spoon to press the blackberry mixture down so you get all of the puree.
Fill a large cocktail shaker (or mason jar or container with a tightly fitting lid) with ice. A lot of ice is important so don't skimp! Squeeze the lime juice into the shaker and follow with the blackberry puree, tequila, orange liquor and a pinch a sea salt.
- Shake vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes. Strain, serve immediately and Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe? Tag @EverydayMaven on Instagram with the hashtag #EveryDayMaven and please give a star rating below.
Espolon is my favorite. My girls and I will be trying this tonight at a bachlorette party.
Have a great time Morgan!
Alyssa,
Happy Birthday! Even before I read about your photos, I was thinking “boy that’s a nice composition”.
The margarita looks lovely–too.
Thanks!
Thanks Kirsten! 🙂
Happy Birthday Alyssa – love your beautiful photos!
Thank you so much Jeanette!!
Happy Happy Birthday my dear!! Alcohol is always the great way to toast to another fab year!
Thanks so much Kiran!!
Happy birthday! Happy to discover your site via Cooking Contest Central–love whole food recipes of all sorts.
Thank you Angela and welcome!
Happy birthday! These look delicious. :-). I just discovered your site, and I have to admit I’m addicted/a huge fan. I’ve made 3 of your recipes already this week as part of my quest to regain my health and energy. Have a wonderful day–eat cake and dance!
Thank you Debbie and welcome – glad to have you here 🙂
Happy Birthday! And what a great drink – it’s so pretty! Really good stuff – thanks.
Thanks so much John!!!
Official REQUEST to have this the next time I come over. Happy Birthday!!!
Done.
Tequila and I don’t really get along ;D but this sounds simply spectacular! Happy Birthday!
I suppose you could try Vodka lol! Thanks JJ – happy weekend!
Hope you had a great birthday! Gorgeous margaritas, I love the color!
They taste as good as they look too Laura! Thanks 🙂
Happy Birthday Alyssa! Hope you had a wonderful one.
I did Martha – thank you so much!
Well first of all – HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
And second…yes, the photos are gorgeous!
Salud!
Thanks Heather! I am working my way up so that hopefully I can take pictures that good as well 🙂
Happy birthday! I think I’ll celebrate with you with one of these. It looks delicious 🙂
Thanks Jan – I hope you enjoyed it!
Happy happy birthday! These margaritas sound like a perfect way to celebrate. I especially love that it’s a way to drink up lots of blackberries without getting a hundred seeds stuck in your teeth!
Thanks Eileen! I know, right? Blackberry seeds can be such a problem!
Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Those blackberry margaritas look spectacular!
Thanks Diana!!
Happy birthday, my darling! I hope you’re having a wonderful day 🙂 and we need to get margaritas very soon! xx
Thank you Ashley! Agreed – are you going to IFBC in Sept.?
Happy birthday!
Thanks Lianne!
Happy birthday, Alyssa! What a stunning cocktail to celebrate your day! Looks like you and Pam had fun together and your patio does look very inviting. Now I must check out your prosecco chocolate strawberries…three of my faves together! Enjoy your day!
Thanks Hannah – now I need to clean up and style my back patio so that is looks more like the pictures lol!
Happy Birthday! Today would have been my Mom’s 93rd… what a lovely day!
Ellen
Thank you so much Ellen!
Happy Birthday! Mine was on Tuesday!
Thank you LeAna and Happy Belated Birthday to you!