Black pepper in a margarita. I know. But one quarter teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper blended with frozen strawberries, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and sugar changes this from a standard frozen margarita into something that warms your throat after each sip. Ice cubes, blended smooth, poured into a sugar-rimmed glass.
The pepper is not strong enough to make you cough. It is a warmth, slow and gentle, that arrives after the cold strawberry and tart lime. The tequila is bold enough to taste through the fruit. The triple sec rounds everything out. This is a margarita that tastes like a dare that paid off.
Tips for Making Frozen Strawberry Margarita with Black Pepper
Use freshly ground black pepper
A quarter teaspoon, ground fresh. Pre-ground pepper is weaker and dustier. Fresh cracked pepper has more warmth and aroma.
Blend it with the other ingredients. The pepper distributes evenly through the drink. You will not bite into a chunk.
Rim with sugar, not salt
Wet the rim of each glass with lime juice and dip in sugar. The sweetness of the sugar rim contrasts with the pepper and tequila.
Salt rim works too, but sugar is more traditional for a strawberry margarita and softens the pepper’s warmth.
Frozen Strawberry Margarita with Black Pepper
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 drinks
Description
A twist on the classic frozen strawberry margarita with a black pepper kick – the perfect drink to enjoy all summer long.
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1/2 cup tequila
- 1/4 cup triple sec
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Ice cubes
- Sugar for rimming the glass
Instructions
- Combine the frozen strawberries, tequila, triple sec, lime juice, sugar, and black pepper in a blender.
- Add ice cubes and blend until smooth.
- Rim the glasses with sugar.
- Pour the margarita into the glasses and serve immediately.
Notes
Triple sec works as well as cointreau if you’d prefer
Makes 4 large-ish drinks (depending on your definition of large) or about 1 litre of margarita
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
How spicy is this?
Not spicy. A quarter teaspoon of black pepper in a full blender of margarita is subtle. You feel warmth, not heat.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
The recipe calls for frozen strawberries. They make the drink slushy without diluting it with ice. Two cups is enough for about four servings.
What is triple sec?
An orange-flavoured liqueur. A quarter cup, or about two ounces. Cointreau is a higher-quality substitute if you have it.
If You Liked This Recipe, You’ll Love These
- Strawberry Margarita Granita
- Aperol Granita Cocktail
- Black Box Frozen Sangria
- Cucumber Mojito “The Sorbet”
