BLUE MARGARITA
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Revive your vacation spirit with a Blue Margarita! It’s like a tropical vacation served up in glass! This tequila cocktail recipe is from a beachfront resort in Mexico. Sip it around the pool, or on the beach with toes in the sand.
Margaritas were invented in Baja California around 1938. During prohibition, Americans craving party cocktails would cross the border into Mexico. Years later, Blue Curacao was added to the mix, and the Blue Margarita was born!
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Quick to assemble, these easy tequila cocktails are perfect for weekend parties and Mexican fiestas. They’re also a favorite for beach weddings.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Margarita salt (for rimming glasses)
- Tequila
- Triple sec
- Mexican limes (key limes)
- Blue Curacao (orange liqueur)
- Simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Garnishes: lime slice and/or orange slice
COCKTAIL SMARTS: No simple syrup? No problem! For a Blue Margarita, you can use powdered sugar, or 2 teaspoons of superfine sugar instead.
If you only have granulated sugar, no problem. Just run it through a food processor for 30 seconds to grind it down and you’re ready to go!
BARWARE
For these simple tequila cocktails, you won’t a need a blender or expensive barware. All that’s required are a few basic pieces: glassware and utensils for prepping easy drink recipes.
- 2 Margarita glasses
- Small dish – for Margarita salt
- Shaker
- Jigger
- Lime press
TIP FOR RIMMING GLASSES: There are several ways to moisten the edge of a glass before dipping it in coarse salt or Tajín. But the best method is using simple syrup. Because it’s sticky, the Margarita salt will adhere to it easily.
HOW TO MAKE A BLUE MARGARITA
RECIPE PREP: Rim the drinking surface of Margarita glasses with coarse salt. Prep fruit slices for garnishing. To make things extra festive, pull out a jar of Maraschino cherries (optional) and bamboo cocktail picks.
- STEP 1: Fill the cocktail shaker halfway full with ice. Add Tequila, triple sec, Blue Curacao, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- STEP 2: Using a lime press, squeeze juice from the limes. Add the lime juice to the container.
- STEP 3: Put the lid on the shaker. Secure it. Shake hard for 30 seconds.
- STEP 4: Pour the Blue Margarita into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with fruit, as desired.
HOW TO RELEASE THE MAXIMUM JUICE FROM A LIME: This is a bartender’s tip! On your work surface, beneath the palm of your hand, roll each lime back and forth several times. Exert light pressure as you roll. Then use a lime press to squeeze out the juice.
WANT A SWEETER MARGARITA? Lime juice is very tart. Although sweet, Blue Curacao has a slightly bitter finish. To tamp down the tart and bitter tastes, add more simple syrup to the mix.
recipe faq
Most Blue Margaritas feature silver tequila (blanco). It’s un-aged, clear in color, and is ideal for assembling Mexican cocktails. Reserve your best aged Tequila for sipping!
It’s an orange liqueur that originated in the 19th century. It’s gets its flavor from the peel of dried Laraha (a citrus fruit) grown on the island of Curacao. Blue food coloring provides this otherwise colorless liqueur with a distinct tropical vibe and a sense of mystery.
Pour coarse salt into a shallow dish that’s larger than the rim of the cocktail glass. Apply liquid to the rim of the glass. Use a wedge of citrus fruit, lime juice, water or simple syrup. Holding the cocktail glass upside down, dip the rim into salt and twist. Gently shake off excess salt.
It’s a fairly strong tequila cocktail. One Blue Margarita is about half the strength of a shot of Tequila. With both Blue Curacao and Tequila in the mix, the cocktail is about 46 proof. Don’t drink and drive.
Absolutely! It’s the ideal make-ahead cocktail for parties. Prep the Blue Margarita mixture without ice. Store it in the fridge or in an iced-down beverage container. When ready to serve, pour the mixture over ice in salt-rimmed glasses. Garnish and enjoy.
1. Serve cold without ice! Chill cocktail glass in advance. Prep Blue Margarita mix in advance and chill. Pour the cold drink into the chilled glass, without ice.
2. Serve as a blended Margarita! Add drink ingredients to a blender with 1 cup of ice. Blend until it’s the consistency of a smoothie.
Make a Blue Lagoon or Blue Whale Cocktail.
MORE party drink recipes
Tequila cocktails like Blue Margaritas are a party favorite. But when entertaining a crowd, always offer a mix of options. Have plenty of iced down water and sodas on hand, and some fun non-boozy drinks.
Make drink recipes that are festive, not boring!
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friends here in Mexico say these Blue Margaritas are the best Tequila cocktails! It’s a resort recipe that’s been refined over time.
The equal parts triple sec, Blue Curacao and simple syrup deliver the best flavor when mixed with Tequila and lime juice. Not too tart. Not too sweet.
If you agree this is the best Tequila cocktail for summer gatherings, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Share the recipe with a friend!
BLUE MARGARITA
- Total Time: 5 Minutes
- Yield: 2 Margaritas 1x
Description
This Blue Margarita is the signature drink of seaside Mexican resorts. It’s now easier than ever to bring that vacation vibe home. Make these easy tequila cocktails for your summer parties!
Ingredients
- Margarita salt (for rimming glasses)
- 4 oz Tequila (like Silver Patron Blanco)
- 2 oz triple sec
- 6 Mexican limes (key limes)
- 2 oz Blue Curacao (orange liqueur)
- 2 oz simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Garnishes: lime slice and/or orange slice
Instructions
BLUE MARGARITA RECIPE
RECIPE PREP: Rim the Margarita glass with coarse salt. Holding the glass upside down, dip the edge of the glass into simple syrup to lightly moisten the drinking surface. Then dip the edge of the glass into a dish of Margarita salt. Twist the glass until it’s well coated.
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full with ice.
- Add Tequila, triple sec, Curacao, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- With a lime press, squeeze the juice from limes into the container.
- Securely attach the shaker lid. Shake hard for 30 seconds.
- Pour the Blue Margarita into a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with fruit, as desired.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
HOW TO RELEASE THE MAXIMUM JUICE FROM A LIME: This is a bartender’s tip! On your work surface, beneath the palm of your hand, roll each lime back and forth several times. Exert light pressure as you roll. Then use a lime press to squeeze out the juice.
HOW TO BATCH THIS TEQUILA COCKTAIL FOR PARTIES: Prep the Blue Margarita mixture without ice. Store it in the fridge or in an iced-down beverage container. When ready to serve, pour the mixture over ice in salt-rimmed glasses. Garnish and enjoy.
BLENDED BLUE MARGARITA: Add drink ingredients to a blender with 1 cup ice. Blend until mixture has a smoothie consistency. Pour cocktail into a salt-rimmed glass.
RECIPE VARIATION – NO ICE: Chill cocktail glass in advance. Prep Blue Margarita mix in advance and chill. Pour the cold drink into the chilled glass, without ice.
DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE: A Blue Margarita is a fairly strong cocktail. One serving is about half the strength of a shot of Tequila. With both Blue Curacao and Tequila in the mix, this cocktail is about 46 proof.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 0 Minutes
- Category: Cocktails, Drinks
- Method: Cocktail Shaker
- Cuisine: Mexican
BLUE MARGARITA > join the conversation
What are your favorite tequila cocktails? Is one of them a Blue Curacao Margarita? Below, share your thoughts on tropical drinks for summer entertaining. I’d love to hear from you!
This was a smash hit! So striking, plus it was a cinch to put together! Looking forward to whipping up this drink more often this summer. Thank you so much for sharing!
This is sooo pretty! I just tested the recipe and it’s truly fabulous! I can’t wait to be drinking these poolside this summer! Great recipe!
What a fun drink! It makes me happy just looking at it!
I love the vibrant blue and it’s perfect for our next gathering! I’m so excited to make these!
This is the most perfect drink for the summer and especially for the 4th of July! I just made the recipe and it tastes like vacation. I can’t wait to make these for all my friends!
What a fun margarita! That pretty blue totally transports me to the beach for some tropical sipping. I’m enjoying one now. Love it!
How fun are these! They would be perfect for our next garden party.