The Story Behind The Lemon Basil Margarita

There’s no wrong season to drink a Margarita. This version, made with fresh basil and ample lemon, tastes like summer in a glass.

Andrea Correale, an NYC-based entertaining expert whose client list includes Liam Neeson and Mariah Carey, created this sunny cocktail. It uses fresh lemons and triple sec instead of lime juice or (shudder) sour mix.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces tequila
  • 1 ounce triple sec
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • ½ ounce simple syrup
  • 3 basil leaves, for garnish
  • ½ sugar and ½ salt mixture, for rim
  • Lemon rind, for garnish

Directions

  1. Rim a rocks glass with sugar and salt mixture.
  2. Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
  3. Shake to combine.
  4. Pour over ice.
  5. Garnish with lemon rind and basil leaf.

Rate This Recipe:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(70 votes)

Yield: 2
Updated: 2022-03-29

The Lemon Basil Margarita Recipe

Related Reads & Recipes

Learn About Tequila

· Tequila 101

· Our always updated list of the best Tequila to buy right now!

More Tequila Recipes To Explore

Martha Stewart’s Cointreau Kiss Cocktail

Martha Stewart’s Cointreau Kiss Cocktail:
On hand for aperitivo hour, nightcaps, and everything in between, Martha Stewart's Cointreau Kiss cocktail is easy, elegant, and delicious.

The Pineapple Sunrise Sour Recipe

The Pineapple Sunrise Sour Recipe:
A riff on the classic Tequila Sunrise, with pineapple instead of the standard orange juice. Some lime and cherry make for a bright, refreshing drink!

The Tequila Negroni Recipe

The Tequila Negroni Recipe:
A twist on the classic cocktail with Blanco Tequila instead of gin, and a touch of 18.21 Blood Orange + Ginger Shrub to give it some extra flair.

Spicy Blackberry Margarita Recipe

Spicy Blackberry Margarita Recipe:
This Blackberry Margarita gets a nice kick from fresh Jalapeños, giving it a nice balance of sweetness and spice. Get the recipe here...

The Sweater Weather Recipe

The Sweater Weather Recipe:
This cold-weather cocktail combines reposado tequila with nutty Frangelico, bitters, and pear syrup for a beautifully balanced drink perfect for fall feasts — including Thanksgiving. Learn how to make it with this recipe!

The Mexican Mule Recipe

The Mexican Mule Recipe:
This Mexican Mule recipe trades the vodka usually found in the Moscow Mule for tequila, and the result is spicy, sour, and delicious.