Surprise your taste buds with this smoky blackberry margarita. This recipe is an easy and fun twist on a classic cocktail.
Margaritas is one of my all-time favorite go-to's. As autumn is here, I decided to use some local produce and flavors to create this fruity and smoky margarita with blackberries.
I love having a drink on my own after work or while cooking dinner, but this is a very fun one for friends or a date night because of the smoky flavor and garnish! It adds to the cocktail making experience.
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WHAT IS A MARGARITA?
A margarita is one of the most popular classic cocktails in America because it's flavorful, tasty, and easy-to-make. A classic margarita only needs three ingredients: blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. If you like, you can also add triple sec, and enjoy in a rocks glass with a lime wedge or lime wheel!
EQUIPMENTS
- Rocks Glass - I chose a rocks glass or any short beverage glasses will do.
- Culinary Torch - The torch torches the rosemary for the smokiness.
- Muddler - To extract the blackberry flavors quickly, I use a muddler to smash it up.
- Cocktail Shaker - Margaritas have syrups, so the best way to mix up the drink is with a shaker. When shaking the drink with ice, it cools the drink and incorporates air to it.
INGREDIENTS
- Tequila - I typically go for blanco tequila because I'm mixing it into a cocktail, but feel free to try reposado or mezcal
- Margarita Mix - I happened to have a margarita mix, which is quickest and easiest way to get me to a yummy cocktail after work, but if you don't, you can use lime juice and any sweeter, such as simple syrup or agave nectar.
- Blackberries - I used fresh blackberries, and muddled the berries to extract the flavors and juices. Make sure to keep a few for garnish.
- Rosemary - The rosemary is the key ingredient for this smokey margarita! I torched the rosemary and let the glass cover it to get a smoky aroma. I also use this as the garnish, which brings the cocktail to the next level when sipping on it.
- Salt - Most margaritas have a salted rim or sugared rim, but I left it out because I wanted to emphasize the distinct smokiness. Now that I'm writing this post up, I think a chili powder or Spanish smoked paprika mix sea salt rim would make it a perfect drink. If you try adding a flavored rim, let me know in the comments below.
- Ice Cubes - I used my favorite small ice cubes, and you need about one to two cups of ice. Large ice cubes are good too, as larger ice cubes melt slower, and you probably only need a few cubes.
HOW TO MAKE A SMOKY BLACKBERRY MARGARITA?
You make the blackberry margarita in the cocktail shaker while you infuse your glass with the rosemary smokiness.
First, torch the rosemary and infuse your glass with smoke. While infusing, you muddle the blackberries in the cocktail shaker, add in margarita mix (or lime juice and simple syrup), add tequila, and scoop in a cup of ice. Shake for about 10 seconds. Scoop a cup of ice into the glass and stain the cocktail over the ice.
Of course, you must garnish with the torched rosemary and a few extra blackberries!
TIPS
Smoke
Torch the rosemary or herb until it's slightly burnt and begins to smoke. Then, cover it with your drinking glass for 3 to 5 minutes to get the best smoky flavor infusion.
Garnish
You have options! In this cocktail I used the torched rosemary to skewer several blackberries, but feel free to use a mix of blackberries, rosemary, or a wedge of lime!
Rim
I opted for no flavored rim in my drink, but if you like, go for it. The best way is to rub a lime wedge along the glass rim and dip the glass into a small plate of salt. Make sure the rim is not too wet because the salt will fall off or drip down the glass along with the juice.
VARIATIONS/SUBSTITUTIONS
Tequila - Instead of using tequila, try using mezcal for a more smoky taste.
Other Liqueurs - I didn't add orange liqueur to my cocktail, but if you like feel free to add it into your margarita for more flavors.
Smoke - I kept it simple here and torched the rosemary, but there are a lot of smoke tops and smoke infusion kits for you to infuse smoke into your cocktail.
FAQ
Usually about 3 to 5 minutes will give the cocktail the desired smoky aroma.
Use a lime wedge or a squeezed lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass. In a small plate, add salt, sugar or desired rimming. Dip the rim of the glass into the salt and make sure the rim is evenly coated.
