Blackberry Margaritas

I made these for Memorial Day weekend, and they were fantastic! The weather was a bit gloomy, but this cocktail made it feel like a summer day. I prepared a simple blackberry purée that can be made ahead of time. You can use fresh or frozen blackberries, both options are delicious, and you won't detect any difference in the cocktail. If using frozen berries, allow them to thaw before blending. The purée recipe can be easily doubled or tripled if you're making margaritas for a larger group.

This is a slightly more tequila-forward margarita than you will have in most restaurants. I serve them in a smaller glass like the one shown above. I like to taste the tequila in my margarita! That said, one or two of these is plenty for me made this way. If you want to lower the alcohol in these, you can cut the tequila to 1.5 ounces instead of 2. You can also stick with the 2 ounces, serve it in a larger glass, and top the margarita off with club soda for a refreshing poolside cocktail!

Blackberry Margarita

For the Blackberry Purée

Makes about 12 ounces of purée (enough for 6 margaritas)

• 12 ounces of fresh blackberries (2 small containers), OR 1 - 12 ounce bag of frozen blackberries, thawed

• 4 Tbsp sugar (I like to use coconut sugar because it is less processed and has a lower glycemic index than cane sugar)

• 3 Tbsp lemon juice

  
  

Rinse the fresh blackberries in a strainer to wash them and add to a blender. If using frozen, add them to the blender while still frozen so you don't lose any of the juices, then let them sit for about 30 minutes or so to thaw. Add the sugar and lemon juice, and blend on medium/high until smooth. Put a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and add some of the blackberry puree to the strainer. Use the back of a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to press the mixture through. Do this in batches, removing the seeds from the strainer as you go so it is easier to strain the purée. Discard the seeds and store the purée in a mason jar with a lid. This will keep in the refrigerator for about a week.

For 2 Margaritas

Add the following to a cocktail shaker:

• 4 ounces of good quality silver tequila (I like Patrón)

• 1 ounce of good quality orange liqueur (I like Cointreau)

• 4 ounces of blackberry purée

• 1.5 ounces of fresh lime juice

Top off with ice and shake well until nice and chilled. Serve over ice in an 8 ounce glass rimmed with salt or sugar (or a combination of both is yummy!), and a blackberry garnish

*I think the sweetened blackberry puree and Cointreau add enough sweetness to this cocktail (I do not like an overly sweet margarita). If you prefer yours a little sweeter, you can add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of agave syrup to the cocktail shaker.