Maybe it’s the insane humidity, or maybe it’s our collective, near-primal thirst for them, but we’ve got Margaritas on the brain. Ideally literally on the brain, as in clutched next to our heads, calming our cranial burn with that cooling, Triple Sec-laced Margarita chill.
While at this point any Margarita would do—we’re a few more humidity percentage points away from sticking our heads directly under a frozen Margarita dispenser—at some point in this sweaty haze we realized we actually have a fairly good stock of really good Margarita recipes on hand (thanks to Natalie Migliarini), all based on a slightly tweaked classic Margarita recipe with more fresh lime and agave than Triple Sec, plus lots of fresh fruit.
In a spirit of sharing, since none of us should be without our chilled beverages in this months-long battle against the sun we call summer, we decided to round them up here. Of course, if and where you can, get your hands on some seriously great tequila for Margarita-mixing. And don’t forget to refresh your memory on the tequila basics. Believe us, reading our tequila 101 guide will make your enjoyment that much better.
Just a heads up: for some of these, you may have to make a grocery run to buy a couple (simple) extra ingredients. But then, who doesn’t love a Margarita enough to make a few sacrifices? And don’t forget: grocery stores are air-conditioned.
Watermelon Basil Margarita
Watermelon is one of the most iconic summer fruits. Go to a picnic spot anywhere and you’ll see some brave family trying to either heave or hack into the giant, luscious fruit. Add some cooling basil and you’ve got a liquid ticket to refreshment town. (Promise, that’s the last time we’ll use that one.)
Spicy Mandarin Margarita
Yes, you can beat heat with heat. Though it’s nice when that heat comes in the form of a Serrano pepper-laced Margarita made with Reposado tequila, mandarin, and brown sugar syrup.
Super Bowl 50-Themed Margaritas
You don’t even have to know who’s vying for the Broncos QB spot this year or whether the Panthers can live up to their 15-1 season this year. Just make these ultra simple blue and orange Margaritas, watch sports or don’t. Just don’t play sports. It’s hot.
Smoky Orange and Thyme Margarita
An easy way to add a tease (but not a ton) of smoke into your Margarita: swap the tequila for its smokier cousin, mezcal. A little bit of thyme simple syrup and OJ and you’ve got layers of flavor to preoccupy you until the next cloud front comes in.
Spicy Blackberry Margarita
Blackberries are a great warm weather drink accompaniment. Add some fresh jalapeño (remember, heat beats heat!) and you’ve got a richly purple, surprisingly spunky little take on the classic formula.
Strawberry and Pineapple Margarita
This one already gets bonus points because it’s blended. And while this recipe’s for one, you can pretty easily dial it up for the group of ultra-thankful friends you’re inviting over to share. Just chuck fresh strawberries, good pineapple juice, and a bunch of ice in a blender along with your other ingredients and in about 30 seconds or so you’ve got basically the delicious opposite of a humid day in the sun doing yard work.
Cantaloupe Margarita
Another blender recipe, and Hallelujah. All you need is half a cantaloupe (seriously, what can’t melons do?) and some ice and you’ve got a nicely fruity, peachy orange frozen drink fit for you, a porch, and some light afternoon texting.
Spicy Avocado Coconut Margarita
Everyone’s chucking avocado into their morning smoothies, so why not toss some into your cocktail-hour indulgence? (Another blender buddy, fyi.) Coconut milk, fresh jalapeño, and a chile-lime salt rim turn this into a kind of fusion Margarita that you won’t want to put down. And no need—avocados are good for you, right?
And in a way, so are Margaritas. Ahhhh.
