Frozen Strawberry Basil Margarita Slushie
A refreshing and crowd-pleasing frozen margarita slushie featuring fresh strawberries, basil, tequila, and lime juice. Perfect for warm-weather gatherings with a unique herbal twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh strawberries (about 600g), hulled and halved
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves (about 20g), roughly chopped
- 1 ½ cups tequila blanco (360ml)
- ¾ cup fresh lime juice (about 6 limes, 180ml)
- ½ cup simple syrup (120ml), homemade or store-bought
- 4 cups ice cubes (about 600g)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the simple syrup by combining ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan. Heat on low, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Let cool to room temperature.
- Hull and halve the strawberries. Rinse under cold water and remove the green tops. Cut larger berries into halves or quarters for easier blending.
- Add strawberries and basil to the blender. Toss in 4 cups of strawberries and 1 cup of chopped basil leaves. Pulse a few times to break down the basil and release aroma.
- Pour in tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup. Measure 1 ½ cups tequila blanco, ¾ cup freshly squeezed lime juice, and ½ cup simple syrup. Add a pinch of salt if using.
- Add 4 cups of ice cubes to the blender. If your blender struggles, crush the ice first or add it gradually.
- Blend on low speed, then increase to high, blending for about 30-45 seconds until smooth and slushy. Stop and scrape down the sides if needed. The slushie should be thick but pourable.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more simple syrup or lime juice if needed. Blend briefly again if you add anything.
- Serve immediately in chilled glasses, garnished with a basil leaf or a slice of strawberry, or transfer to a pitcher for serving.
Notes
For best texture, use a high-powered blender to crush ice smoothly. Fresh basil is essential for the bright herbal flavor; roughly chop before blending. Prepare simple syrup ahead or use store-bought. For non-alcoholic version, replace tequila with sparkling water or white grape juice. Make ahead by blending all ingredients except ice and refrigerate up to 24 hours; add ice and blend before serving. Avoid over-blending to prevent dilution.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximate)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 11
- Sodium: 10
- Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: frozen margarita, strawberry basil margarita, slushie, summer cocktail, tequila drink, refreshing drink, crowd-pleaser