Frozen Strawberry Margarita

This frozen strawberry margarita is the only drink you need this summer. Fresh strawberries, tequila, triple sec, and lime juice get blushed into a slushy, pink cocktail that’s sweet, tart, and dangerously easy to drink. It takes 5 minutes, requires no special equipment beyond a blender, and it’s the kind of drink that makes a regular Tuesday feel like a vacation.

Why You’ll Love This Frozen Strawberry Margarita

  • 5 minutes, 5 ingredients — blender, pour, done.
  • Fresh strawberries — not syrup, not mix. Real fruit.
  • Perfectly slushy — the ice blends into a thick, frozen texture.
  • Party-ready — double or triple the batch for a crowd.

Ingredients

Frozen strawberries are the key to a thick, slushy margarita without watering it down with too much ice. Buy them pre-frozen in the freezer aisle, or hull and freeze fresh strawberries on a sheet pan overnight. The riper the strawberry, the sweeter and more flavorful the drink. If your strawberries are very sweet, you can reduce the simple syrup to 1 oz. Taste before adding more.

  • 2 cups frozen strawberries (About 10 oz — buy them pre-frozen or freeze fresh ones)
  • 4 oz (½ cup) tequila blanco (silver) (Espolon, Olmeca Altos, or any mid-range blanco)
  • 2 oz (¼ cup) triple sec or Cointreau (Cointreau is smoother; triple sec is more affordable)
  • 3 oz (6 tbsp) fresh lime juice (about 3 limes) (Bottled lime juice works in a pinch but fresh is better)
  • 2 oz (¼ cup) simple syrup (Equal parts sugar and water, dissolved)
  • 1 cup ice (For extra thickness)
  • Kosher salt or Tajin (For rimming the glasses)
  • Lime wedge and strawberry (For garnish)

Equipment

How to Make Frozen Strawberry Margarita

Step 1 — Rim the glasses (1 minute)

Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass. Spread kosher salt (or Tajin for a spicy-sour twist) on a small plate. Dip the moistened rim into the salt, rotating to coat evenly. Set the glasses aside. You can do this step 30 minutes ahead and keep the glasses in the freezer.

Step 2 — Blend the margarita (2 minutes)

Add the frozen strawberries, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice to a blender. Blend on high for 30-45 seconds until completely smooth and slushy. It should be thick like a slushy, not watery. If it’s too thick to blend, add 1-2 oz of water or more lime juice. If it’s too thin, add more ice and blend again. Taste it — adjust sweetness (more syrup) or tartness (more lime) to your preference.

Step 3 — Pour and garnish (1 minute)

Pour into the rimmed glasses. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim and a fresh strawberry (slice the bottom flat so it sits on the rim). Serve immediately with straws. The drink will start to separate after about 15 minutes, so if you’re making a batch for a party, blend in smaller rounds rather than one big batch.

Pro Tips

Use frozen fruit, not ice-heavy. Frozen strawberries give you a thick, flavorful base without diluting the drink. If you use fresh strawberries, you’ll need more ice, which waters down the cocktail.

Taste before pouring. Every batch of fruit is different. Some strawberries are candy-sweet, others are tart. Taste the blended margarita and adjust — more syrup for sweetness, more lime for tartness, more tequila for strength.

Make it a pitcher. Multiply the recipe by 4 for a pitcher. Blend in two batches (most blenders can’t handle a full pitcher at once). Store the extra in the freezer and re-blend for 10 seconds before serving.

Tajin rim is a game-changer. Swap the salt for Tajin (chili-lime seasoning) for a spicy-sour rim that complements the strawberry and tequila beautifully.

Variations & Substitutions

Spicy strawberry margarita

Add 2-3 slices of fresh jalapeno (seeds removed) to the blender. The heat is subtle and fruity, and it pairs incredibly well with the strawberry. Muddle the jalapeno in the glass first if you want more control over the heat level.

Mezcal strawberry margarita

Swap half the tequila for mezcal. The smoky, earthy flavor of mezcal against the sweet strawberry is a combination you didn’t know you needed. Use 2 oz tequila + 2 oz mezcal.

Virgin strawberry margarita

Skip the tequila and triple sec. Add 2 oz of sparkling water or lemon-lime soda after blending. It’s refreshing, family-friendly, and still tastes like summer.

Storage & Reheating

Freezer: You can freeze the blended margarita in a zip-top bag for up to 1 week. Let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes, then break up the frozen chunks and re-blend for 10 seconds.

Fridge: The unblended mixture (without ice) keeps in the fridge for 2 days. Blend with fresh ice when ready to serve.

What to Serve With Frozen Strawberry Margarita

This margarita is the perfect partner for our loaded smash burger tacos — the sweet, tart drink cuts through the rich beef beautifully.

For a full summer party spread, pair it with our grilled corn on the cob and grilled fruit skewers.

If you’re celebrating the 4th of July, this pink margarita alongside our red white blue trifle makes a stunning patriotic table.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (1 cocktail): approximately 220 calories, 1 g protein, 24 g carbohydrates, 0 g fat, 2 g fiber. Values are estimates and depend on the specific brands and amount of simple syrup used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen?

Yes, but you’ll need to add more ice to get the frozen texture, which dilutes the flavor. If using fresh, add 1½ cups of ice instead of 1 cup. The drink won’t be quite as intensely strawberry-flavored.

What's the best tequila for margaritas?

A mid-range blanco (silver) tequila is ideal. You want something smooth enough to sip but you’re blending it with fruit and citrus, so there’s no need to use a $80 bottle. Espolon Blanco, Olmeca Altos, and Espolon Reposado are all excellent in the $20-30 range.

How do I make a big batch for a party?

Multiply the recipe by 4 or 6. Blend in batches of 2 servings at a time (most blenders max out around 4 servings). Combine the batches in a pitcher and keep it in the freezer. Stir well before pouring — it will have separated slightly.

Can I make this without alcohol?

Absolutely. Skip the tequila and triple sec. Add 2 oz of sparkling water or lemon-lime soda after blending for a little fizz. It’s just as refreshing and perfect for anyone who doesn’t drink.

The frozen strawberry margarita is summer in a glass. Five ingredients, five minutes, and you’re sitting on the porch pretending you’re somewhere tropical. Make a batch for your next cookout, your next Tuesday, your next “I deserve this.” Save the recipe — you’ll be making it all season.

Frozen Strawberry Margarita

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Servings
4 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  2. 2

    Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink.

  3. 3

    Add broccoli and garlic, cook for another 3-4 minutes until tender.

  4. 4

    Season with cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

  5. 5

    Serve immediately over pasta or rice.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 450 kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g