Strawberry Margaritas
The seasons seem to start a little earlier in France than elsewhere, or maybe that’s just me. I tend to want to jump the gun as soon as I see strawberries or cherries at the market every spring. But I know that if I wait a few weeks, they’ll be a lot more abundant, and a lot better. Not to mention less-expensive, too.
Once they go from “rarity” to available everywhere, I tend to go nuts, buying as much fruit as I can. I often joke that as a Californian, I am genetically-wired to eat fruit all the time. During that brief period when the last of the apples and pears depart, and there’s nothing but pineapples and apples from who-knows-where at the market, I fall into a fruitless funk until strawberries appear. Then I know that everything is going to be okay.
As much as I like fruit, I’m not a big fruit-in-cocktail drinker, more inclined to shake or stir up a Manhattan, a Black Manhattan, or a Martini. Or Chin Up or Hanky Panky.
But I do like a good Margarita now and then, and when I found myself with a colander of strawberries that I’d washed for another project, I popped a few into a cocktail shaker, muddled ’em up, and shook up a couple of Strawberry Margaritas.
I find as I get older, I’m less interested in those icy, frozen drinks, and prefer my cocktails up. (Is that because it’s a more direct route?) If you like your cocktails up, too, this margarita recipe makes a fine candidate for one.
But because I’m a man of different (and sometimes conflicting) opinions, which generates a variety of curious looks from my partner, I also like Margaritas over ice. Just be glad you don’t live with me, although there are some benefits; ice cream, cakes, cookies, and an occasional cocktail or two, so I’m not a total bust.
After shaking one of these margaritas up, you might want to strain the mixture through a wider strainer than the one on your cocktail shaker, so its best to remove the entire lid and either pass it through a julep strainer, or a coarse mesh strainer if serving it up. Or just pour it in the glass, without too much of a fuss, holding back the ice with a spoon.
It’s almost strawberry season in Vermont!
I can’t wait to try this drink!
As always,
Thanks, David.
This reminds me that I need to get my bum out of bed early on Sunday morning to go to the local farmers’ market and get some locally grown strawberries, which tend to be smaller and sweeter than the ones found in the grocery store.
Once when my daughter was young, she and my husband drove to Half Moon Bay for the day and came home with two flats of strawberries, which were extremely ripe. I quickly learned how to make jam and strawberry panna cotta.
I’m not a fan of fruity drinks either, but will enjoy a strawberry margarita straight up – not frozen. Most recipes make a pitcher and I’m rarely that thirsty! This is perfect. Thank you.
I’m not usually a tequila drinker, but this looks amazing! Will be making this after I visit the fruit market on Saturday. Thanks for sharing!
Woo boy -nearly 4 ounces of booze in this baby!
looks like only just over 2.5oz’s?…
You always make me smile. I’m also a Californian, but a Strawberry marg? I’d rather eat those luscious berries naked :)
Can you buy tequila in France? Is it in the hyper/supermarkets?
Yes, they sell it in supermarkets, although the better liquor stores have a more curated selection of them. There’s a bar in Paris called Mezcaleria that specializes in mezcal, which is on my list of places to try, and the Distillerie de Paris makes an agave-based liquor, too!
Thx for the link to the Chin-up. I’d forgotten about that and will make one tonight. No decent strawberries in seattle yet.
no salt on rim? could be sublime
I don’t mine (and like) salt on the rim of regular margaritas, to balance out the acidity of the lime juice, but it doesn’t work as well with strawberries, so I leave it off. If I would going to add some, I might add a touch of red chile powder to the salt, to give it a little “zing.”
My husband and I just returned from Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta and It was difficult to get a get a great margarita – in my mind- one that isn’t bitter! This was true even in the 5 start restaurants we enjoyed! I can’t wait to try this one! Thanks, as always for your inspiration, Daveed!
You sure know how to live David. Here’s to you!
I simply LOVE margarita! This strawberry margarita looks and sounds so refreshing and delicious! Can’t wait to try your recipe – perfect in these hot days!
We have a favorite local grower–thank goodness, because ants eat all the strawberries in our own garden–but sometimes the strawberries are all gone before we even get home.
I’d kind of forgotten about strawberry margaritas, what with wine, wine, wine, but this sure sounds good.
What a pretty Spring drink! I always wait before buying the early berries here. If only I’d gone to last weekend’s PERIGORD A MONTMARTRE! Their berries from Perigord are perfect et pas cher.. too many things to do in Paris..hard to keep up.
Cool
Tried these last night David! Yum!
Love reading your blog!
Jennifer in WA
I was one happy puppy when I realized I had all the ingredients to make this tonight. Delicious! Light and refreshing, just perfect, but with a kick that I’m just now feeling. LOL! Thank you David for a great recipe. This could be trouble this summer in Seattle.
David, if you have not tried the red and black from Smitten Kitchen, you should. Strawberries, lime, tequila, and black pepper. https://smittenkitchen.com/2017/05/the-red-and-black/
It has been a slow spring here in Boston, but those are on my list for the first day of strawberry picking.
Just delicious. And couldn’t agree more you, about losing taste for slushy versions. Cannot say I am a daiquiri fan, but I ran to pick up strawberries after reading that post, and the drink did not disappoint! Very refreshing on a warm evening! Thanks David
Ahhh. SO good. Thanks, David, for providing the perfect recipe for an amazing night.
This was really wonderful, even with some organic not local berries- they’re not ready at the farmers market yet but I will certainly make this again!
California raised myself and I totally understand the daily fresh fruit urgent need- even worse since i hate bananas and during the long winters in nyc any fresh fruit is worse for wear
hello, could you make this drink with a substitute for tequila? maybe martini bianco? thank you :)
Yes. You might need to adjust the quantities of other ingredients but feel free to give it a go…
Oh david these are delicious…..so easy to drink lots and lots of them! I have a bottle of Partida Tequila Reserva I bought at Costco…..never had before, the whole think was excellent, no strong tequila taste or burn and after I strained the strawberrries, I ate them after the ice melted, they were excellent too. I saw your apple Tart best of, I’m still looking for an apple cake, with apple brandy or calvados, cake is dark in color, almost custardy inside. I had it at the Henry Ford estate museum in Detroit. They sent me the recipe which was not what they served. Could have had some marzipan in it too. What’s your favorite apple cake, I’m sure with dark brown sugar in the batter…..You continue to be the best. You should go on Ina Garten’s show, you two are a match made in heaven.
While the recipe sounds delicious and I’ll have to try it, I must say, the accompanying photos are absolutely mouthwatering! Looks like you’ve mastered your new mirrorless camera. Just beautiful!