The Easy Way To Make A Blueberry Margarita From Any Classic Recipe

Nothing tops a classic margarita — except, perhaps, a blueberry margarita. Bursting with vibrancy, small but mighty blueberries give the classic cocktail layers of depth, which bodes really well for recipes that lack oomph. Beyond amplifying and balancing flavor, blueberries serve an aesthetic purpose by giving the tipple a brighter and, for lack of a better word, blue-er appearance that proves far too intriguing to resist. Luckily, whether you prefer your cocktail blended or served on the rocks, introducing blueberries into a margarita is actually pretty simple.

The key is to select a classic margarita recipe to build upon, as its citrusy profile will best allow the blueberries' flavor to shine. Speaking of which, it's also important to incorporate the fruit in a way that maximizes the berries' richly nuanced profile. So, rather than tossing a handful of fresh berries into the drink as is, we recommend muddling. Muddling the fruit prior to mixing the cocktail will release more of the berries' juices and natural flavors. Plus, it will give the tipple some texture. 

Alternatively, to avoid impacting the consistency of your margarita, blueberries can be juiced. Or, they can be stewed down into a simple syrup that can be blitzed or stirred into a cocktail. We also aren't opposed to adding a splash of blueberry liqueur into the drink to further fruitiness.

When it comes to adding blueberries into a margarita, always be sure to select quality produce. Since the ripest berries will be the sweetest, we advise seeking out fruit that's plump with a dark blue hue and a delicately sweet fragrance. Blueberries not in season? Frozen fruit works as long as you keep in mind that it won't yield the most aesthetic results when used for muddling or garnishing.

As for how many blueberries to use, about 1/4 cup of fresh fruit is ideal for muddling into a single cocktail. Otherwise, a spoonful of blueberry syrup, jam, or juice can impart a similar surge of fruity complexity. But, feel free to tailor these amounts to your preference. Just don't forget that garnishes can enhance the sweetly tart flavors of the margarita, too. For example, stack fresh berries onto a skewer for extra brightness or roll them in sugar to heighten sweetness and add crunch. Instead, to give the tipple a savory spin, rim glasses with dehydrated blueberries and jalapeño salt. That said, we'd avoid working in too many new flavors so as to keep the focus on the little blue fruits.

Whether you introduce blueberries through a simple method like muddling or a more complex process like infusing tequila with the berries, one thing is certain: The fruit is guaranteed to revamp the classic cocktail, giving a margarita the berry boost you never even knew that it needed!