There are quite a few margarita recipes on my blog, but this blueberry cilantro margarita is the original favorite. It’s so easy to make, it’s super refreshing, and we honestly enjoy these all summer long. If you are a fan of cilantro, I hope to make this your new favorite blueberry margarita.
These margaritas are best when made one or two at a time, as they require muddling fresh berries with cilantro, then dividing the drink directly between two prepared glasses. There’s no straining involved (which means less stuff to clean up), but you can certainly strain these if you don’t want pieces of blueberry and cilantro in your drinks!
Ingredients
To Make TWO Blueberry Cilantro Margaritas:
- 20 fresh Blueberries
- a small handful of fresh Cilantro Leaves (about 10 leaves)
- 3 ounces Tequila Blanco or Reposado (silver or reposado tequila)
- 2 ounces fresh Lime Juice
- 1 ounce fresh Orange Juice
- 1 ounce Agave Syrup OR honey syrup (recipe included!)
Ingredient Notes and FAQs
Tequila
What Tequila Should I Use? Silver (blanco) or reposado tequila. Silver tequila is not aged in barrels at all, so the taste is brighter, fresher, and really great with fresh citrus juice. Reposado tequila is aged from 2 months – 1 year in oak. Aging a spirit (or wine) in oak allows it to take on some of the characteristics of the oak. This doesn’t necessarily make it taste “oaky”, but it mellows the tequila and gives it that light, golden color.
You may also see añejo tequila. Añejo tequila is aged in barrels for 1 – 3 years in barrels, so they are deeply golden in color and take on a lot of the flavor characteristics from the barrel. I recommend añejo tequila for sipping with a large cube of ice, but not for margaritas.
Blueberries
Can I use Frozen Blueberries? Yes, you can! Let them thaw for a few minutes before using them. They key to the vibrant color in these blueberry margaritas is releasing the juice from the blueberries. The softer the blueberries are, the easier they will break apart and release the juice inside!
Cilantro
Can I use another Herb? Yes, you can! Cilantro isn’t for everyone, I know. Maybe it tastes like soap to you … and I’m sorry if that’s the case, because that’s not fun. Some great substitutes for cilantro in this blueberry margarita recipe are: fresh Basil, fresh Thyme, or fresh Mint.
Fresh Lime Juice / Fresh Orange Juice
Do I have to use Fresh Juice? You don’t HAVE to, but it makes a huge difference in flavor. One medium orange generally produces about two ounces of juice, which would get you four margaritas. It’s a lot less expensive to purchase one orange than an entire jug of fresh orange juice, and it tastes better. As far as lime juice goes, I have no recommendations for a bottled version that is a suitable substitute for a freshly squeezed lime. There’s no comparison, and because cocktails rely on only a few flavors to taste amazing, use the best (and least expensive) option available: fresh limes. An average lime should produce at least one ounce of juice, so you’ll need to grab at least two limes to make two margs, or four limes to make four margaritas.
Why isn’t there Triple Sec? If you’re familiar with a classic margarita, you know that it usually contains triple sec. Triple sec is an orange liqueur (Cointreau is a popular, high-end option, for example). Because this recipe has so much fresh flavor in it, I went with fresh orange juice for the orange flavor, and agave nectar (aka agave syrup) for a touch of sweetness. The blueberries also contribute a sweet note to these margaritas, so the fresh / sweet combo of orange juice and agave syrup is my preference. If you’d rather use triple sec instead of fresh orange juice and agave syrup, that works! Use 1 ounce for the recipes (to make two margaritas), then adjust and add a little more if you feel like it needs it.
How to Make Blueberry Cilantro Margaritas:
1. Muddle blueberries and cilantro in the bottom of a large cocktail shaker.
2. Pour in tequila, lime juice, orange juice, and honey syrup (or agave syrup).
3. Fill the shaker with ice, secure the lid, and shake for 15-20 seconds (or as long as you can!)
4. Pour the margarita directly into a cocktail glass*. No straining necessary!
*If desired, run a fresh lime across the rim of the glass. Combine equal parts salt and sugar on a small plate, and run the rim of the glass through the salt and sugar.
Again, don’t be intimidated by the extra ingredients in these margaritas. They are SO easy! There is no garnish, no straining, no extra steps. You literally muddle blueberries and cilantro in a glass, toss in all of the liquid ingredients, shake it pretty hard, then pour everything directly into a fancy old fashioned glass. Ta da! Your job is done.
So, yeah. Beautiful! Easy! And DELICIOUS. This recipe is perfect for adding a gorgeous twist to your usual margaritas. The blueberries make these drinks pop with vibrant, luscious color. The cilantro adds an unexpected earthy quality, but it makes so much sense with the blueberries. Who knew?
Blueberry cilantro margaritas are a perfect start to date night at home. OR, you wanna get crazy? Have your friends over for brunch, offer the usual mimosas, and offer these as the post-brunch cocktail. I’m going to be honest, brunch is literally just an excuse to booze on a Sunday morning when you need greasy food and a few mimosas to put you right back into coma-mode. Right? These would be an unexpected (read: awesome) twist on the usual brunch cocktail expectations.
Get some fresh blueberries while you still can. Since they’re packed with antioxidants, and tequila is the only booze that is actually not a downer, this drink is a super win! I learned that little tidbit about tequila from a recent wine dinner I attended. Steve Reynolds, who is a winemaker in Napa, started his own tequila line. He told me that tequila, coming from the blue agave plant, actually acts as a type of “upper”, rather than bringing you down like other alcohols. Pretty cool, if you ask me. I always feel differently when I drink tequila, so it makes sense.
Other Delicious Margarita Recipes to Try!
- Grilled Pineapple + Jalapeno Margarita
- Spicy Serrano + Grapefruit Margarita
- Skinny Lime Margarita
- Skinny Blackberry Margarita
If you make these blueberry margaritas, I would LOVE to see them! Be sure to tag me on Instagram @aflavorjournal – or post your photo on this Pinterest link! If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out to me directly for help.
Cheers!
xx Sara
Blueberry Cilantro Margaritas
Ingredients
for small batch honey simple syrup :
- 1/2 cup raw, local honey
- 1/2 cup water
for each margarita :
- 10 blueberries (small handful)
- 5 cilantro leaves (very small bunch)
- 1/2 ounce honey simple syrup or agave
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh orange juice fresh. fresh. fresh.
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila blanco (silver)
Instructions
for honey simple syrup :
- Combine honey and water into a small sauce pan over medium heat. Heat through, stirring occasionally, until the two blend harmoniously, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool at least 20 minutes.
- Keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
for each margarita :
- Muddle blueberries and cilantro at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add honey simple syrup, lime and orange juices, and tequila. Fill the shaker with ice.
- Cap the shaker and shake it like you mean it for at least fifteen seconds. As the ice breaks, it will continue to break down the blueberries and release the flavors of the cilantro.
- Once the shaker is too cold for you to handle, remove the lid and pour the contents directly into an old-fashioned glass.
- Cheers!
Notes
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Kellie S says
We have made these a few times and they’re so good. They really are easy too. I put agave in them instead of the honey syrup because it’s just faster than making the syrup and we love them. Thanks for the good drinks!
sara a. says
That’s so awesome to hear, Kellie! I’m so glad you love them! The agave is a perfect swap, and definitely less time-consuming than the honey syrup. Cheers!
Lori (&Bill) Hastings says
I will try this …
‘Tis the season to grow cilantro micro greens in the windowsill after all! .
Let me also mention that, while lime juice and a ‘simple syrup’ is a common way to go,
muddling the limes (cut in half on the equator and quartered) with a teaspoon of sugar for each wedge really gives the full dimensions of lime flavor that a good margarita deserves.
Add a splash of soda to bring it back to a similar octane achieved with the syrup.
sara a. says
Cilantro microgreens are such a great micro green! I’ll definitely try the sugar / lime wedge / soda method on my next margaritas – sounds delicious! I love the honey syrup in these blueberry cilantro margaritas specifically, but I think a fresh lime margarita would be delicious with your version!
Bella says
These are seriously the best fresh blueberry margaritas EVERRRRR. I love the cilantro in them!!!! Thank you!!!!
sara a. says
lol this is the best compliment ever, Riley! You’re so welcome and I’m so glad you enjoy these blueberry margaritas!!