Lemon Basil Margarita
Margaritas lend themselves to so many different flavor combinations and this Lemon Basil Margarita is no exception. Light and slightly herbaceous it’s perfect for a party!
It’s no tightly kept secret that I love margaritas. LOVE them. Something about the bite of tequila combined with citrus and some sweet and salty elements altogether make for one of my favorite cocktails. I have been making this margarita for years and it will probably always be my favorite but it’s not something that you can whip up in 5 minutes.
It’s best when the ingredients are steeped for several hours so having the urge and getting that urge satisfied means a long period in between…enough time to change your mind!
This Lemon Basil Margarita is like opposite day…made in minutes as long as you have the ingredients in the house. You know I have the booze but now I’ve got a pot of basil too and it was begging me to be used in a margarita. I have a Meyer lemon tree too but it’s not quite there yet!
When I was asked by the folks at Gourmet Sweet Botanicals if I would like to sample some of their cocktail rimmers I’m sure it’s no surprise that I said YES!! The delicate crispy, crunchiness and unique flavors are derived from whole fresh herbs and edible flowers combined with cane sugar. They’re available online and are a great tasting fun addition to your bar essentials!
I had planned to garnish this Lemon Basil Margarita with it’s namesake ingredients of lemon and basil but the fun part was using the Basil Cocktail Rimmer. I combined the basil rimmer with my standard sugar/salt mixture because well, for me, a margarita NEEDS salt and it was perfect. Just like the basil in the cocktail; it was subtle but definitely there; a little unexpected surprise for your tastebuds.
Just the right touch for this cocktail. I still love my one and only the best but this Lemon Basil Margarita is a great new contender!
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PIN IT! ‘Lemon Basil Margarita’
Lemon Basil Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz Blanco Tequila
- 1 oz Cointreau
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 3 Basil Leaves
For Garnish:
- Sugar/salt combination for the rim
- Lemon slice
- Basil leaf
Instructions
- Rim the glass with a combination of sugar and salt or if using the Fresh Origins botanicals a combination of half sugar/salt mixture and half botanicals.
- Tear the basil and combine it in a shaker with the rest of the ingredients. Add ice; shake well and then pour into an ice filled rocks glass over a strainer. Garnish with basil and a lemon wheel.
Notes
Nutrition
Another year has passed and I remain a margarita virgin! You’ve made some wonderful ones and I really don’t know what is holding me back from trying them. Being able to sit with you and enjoy a few together perhaps 🙂
C’mon woman…just do it! You will not regret it I promise.
Yes, very pretty. Love the idea of creative rimmers. Only a few more weeks and I can enjoy happy hour again!!!! Margaritas are first on my list!
What a delicious combination! This looks brilliant! I need more margaritas in my life for sure!
‘Rita’ is worth the wait. Keep on steepin’. GREG
Cocktail rimmers, how interesting!
This sounds delicious. Where can we get those cool cocktail rimmers as I would love to try them? They look sooooo yummy!
They’re sold here Jennifer: http://shop.gourmetsweetbotanicals.com/Specialty-Products_c6.htm – I love that they’re made from fresh herbs and flowers but can’t deny I love the colors too!
Now this looks really good. And I just bought a giant pot of basil at Trader Joes for $2.99! I think I am going to get another, too! And those rimmers are really cool. Where can they be found? I am so ready to sip one of these!
They’re sold at http://shop.gourmetsweetbotanicals.com/Specialty-Products_c6.htm Abbie; really fun little gems.
This cocktail takes me back to a trip to Italy years ago. We had a limoncello basil martini like cocktail that was to die for. Ahhhh, memories. Maybe it is time to make some new ones and mix up your recipe. This looks so good.
Oh Gorgeousness!! Tangy and refreshing. I know I would love it. Beautiful beautiful Photo.
You have a Meyer lemon tree in Colorado? Wow, you have a wonderful green thumb! And you mix a mean Margarita. One of my favorite drinks, too. Those rimmers do look interesting. Anyway, cool drink — thanks.
It’s in a pot John; a friend in GA has one that survives being taken in and out so thought I would give it a try. I just got it this spring but it’s outside on the patio now and it’s got new leaves! My green thumb will be the death of me. I spent this week digging up everything the landscaper for the builder put in when I realized they did not prep the soil or remove any of the compacted root ball. I might have sort of repositioned a few things too. Without HOA permission…wish me luck. My neighbor says, ‘I don’t ask for permission, I ask for forgiveness.’ Think I’ll make that my motto too! 🙂