A summery twist on the classic frozen margarita with a black pepper kick – the perfect drink to enjoy all summer long! So easy to make too, all you need is a blender!
Happy Friday guys! It’s the weekend, yay, party time! I’ve been a bit absent this last week, I apologise for that – life got in the way a bit, as it tends to do. But I’m making it up to you by bringing alcohol. And not just any alcohol, alcohol in the form of a Strawberry and Black Pepper Frozen Margarita – am I forgiven? I’m going to take that drooling as a yes π
Margaritas are my all time favourite cocktail, I have a bit of soft spot for tequila based cocktails anyway but throw in lime as the main flavour and I’m sold! We don’t get very good margaritas here in the UK, but I definitely drink my fair share when I’m out in Atlanta – and, come rain or shine, they have to be frozen! I don’t know why that makes them so much tastier, but it does – perhaps it’s my slight addiction to slushies at the cinema. Ooh now there’s a thought – frozen margarita machines at the cinema! I would probably never leave, and be extremely broke (seriously, you have to take out a second mortgage to go to the cinema these days!).
My Atlanta trips are few and far between at the moment, it’s that damn life getting in the way again – always butting it’s nose in where it’s not wanted! I couldn’t go much longer without a frozen margarita so I had to take matters into my own hands! While a classic marg is my favourite, the local market had some really great strawberries recently so I had to make good use of them – and in my head that means a cocktail, apparently. And, because I’m me and this wouldn’t be Giraffes Can Bake if I kept flavours classic, I added some black pepper to give it a nice little kick. Strawberry and black pepper is already a wonderful combination, the flavours really compliment each other – but when you counteract the kick from the alcohol with the kick from the black pepper, you really do get an awesome medley of flavours (and maybe some bruised shins from all the kicking!). I like mine with quite a bit black pepper, but my mum found it a little too spicy for her tastes so just adjust the amount you add to suit your tastes.
I’m definitely a seasoned margarita drinker but I have to admit, I always have mine without salt. I don’t even know why, since I love a sweet and salty combination, old habits I guess! I used sugar to coat the rim of these glasses partly because I didn’t have any suitable salt and partly because sugar just sounded very appealing for this drink, and it really worked! I did consider a black pepper rim but I think that might be too much even for me – but feel free to go for it if you’ve got a high pepper tolerance!
- 1/2 cup/ 120ml ice
- 100ml gold tequila
- 50ml cointreau
- 300g hulled strawberries, frozen
- Juice of 1 and a half limes
- 1 tsp - 1 tbsp coarse ground black pepper, depending on your tastes
- Salt/sugar, lime wedge and strawberries for garnish
- Place your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes to chill
- This is where it gets complicated - add everything to a blender and blend until smooth!
- Run a lime wedge around the rims of your glasses and dip in sugar or salt to coat.
- Pour the margaritas into glasses and garnish with a fresh strawberry
- Serve immediately
- 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
I used fresh strawberries that I hulled and stuck in the freezer for a couple of days, but using frozen strawberries is what’s gonna make you able to enjoy this yummy drink all year round! Stock up on yummy, in season strawberries during the summer and then you can pull them out of your freezer whenever the margarita mood strikes! It’s also my little gift to you guys down in the southern hemisphere that are just leaving strawberry season rather than entering it, if you managed to freeze a bunch you’ll be able to make your margarita just as yummy as you would have in the summer. I’m so thoughtful, I know π
Are you a margarita fan then? Do you think you’ll give this one a go? I hope so, it really is yummy – definitely a winner for your summer parties, or just sipping by the pool. Make sure to share with friends, not just to help you drink responsibly but also so you can get through them before they melt! They’re still yummy when they’re melted, but they do lose some of their appeal! Which is why I recommend making them in small batches even if you and your friends plan to get through quite a few!
I’m gonna to bring plenty of pitchers of this Strawberry and Black Pepper Frozen Margarita to Fiesta Friday this week. Not just because every party deserves a cocktail, but also to apologise for my absence last week! Make sure you come join in the party! Our lovely host, Angie, will be there to greet us (probably with a cocktail in hand!). And we have two very awesome co hosts this week Dini @ Giramuk’s Kitchen and Mollie @ The Frugal Hausfrau. Party time!
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Foodie FriDIY, Friday Favourites, Fiesta Friday, Motivation Monday
That pesky life can get annoying!! π I was away on holiday last weekend too! It felt weird to not be online! hahaha!!!
These frozen Margheritas will forgive any misunderstandings for sure!! π Especially Strawberry and Blackpepper?? One of my favourite combinations too! I can completely see myself sipping one of these this weekend (even if the weather isn’t being kind!) π
Haha silly life getting in the way of our blogging! I needed a few days off after I got home to recover too haha
Thank you! Glad you’re another strawberry and black pepper fan, such a great combo!!
I think these would go nicely on my patio this evening π
Definitely! Thank you Natalie
Wow- I’ve gotta say I am NOT a margarita drinker (not a fan of tequila), but these make me want to reconsider that!! Gorgeous!
You could definitely try these with vodka instead of tequila, would still be yummy!
Thanks Tracy
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle… first of all, gorgeous photos! This flavor combination sounds so delicious, I can’t wait to try it! Second of all… yeah, that pesky life can really interrupt blogging! You sure came back with a bang π Thanks so much for sharing with Friday Favorites, we love having you join us! Pinned and yummed π
Thank you so much Amanda!! π
Lovely! I always enjoy these but I never thought of adding pepper. I will try it next time I make them.
Its a great addition π Thanks!
Wow, these look amazing! I am a fan of margaritas, but I have never had one with pepper in it. I would love one!!!
Thank you Jenny!
Wow! What a great combo to try this summer! Can’t wait! π
Thank you!
Such a lush color Michelle! Love the pepper too. It’s 5 o’clock, may I have one?
Thank you Johanne! You definitely can, it’s Friday after all!
Wow-weeeee how absolutely gorgeous! Both the photos and the ingredients of the margarita. Don’t you just love the summer time? Although I hear, it’s still pretty cool in England? It’s stinking hot here already and I had my first mango margarita yesterday when I met a friend for Happy Hour! Are margaritas popular in the UK?
Thank you Loretta!!
It’s actually quite nice here, probably cold by some people’s standards but perfect for me! Sunny and warm!
Ooh i definitely need to make a mango margarita
No they’re not super popular over here, which is why I have to make them myself – we don’t get a lot of mexican anything here
Michelle, what an awesome combination!! I can see myself downing quite a few of these π and your photos are just beautiful!
Thank you Naina! π
Your pictures are beautiful! I love the sound of these – I never would’ve though of combining strawberries and black pepper π
Thank you Claudia!
It’s a really yummy combination π
I knew I was going to get those strawberries in the fridge used up this weekend! Gorgeous yumminess.
π Glad I could help hehe! Thank you!
OMG – what a brilliant, nay, ingenious idea to take your daily portion of fruit! I am absolutely wowed over. What a great cocktail – I better get mixing!
Thank you Ginger!!
I must say that photos are so enticing! This sounds good, Michelle. Happy FF! xx
Thank you Jhuls! I bet it would be awesome as an alcohol free strawberry slushie too, with a little extra lime juice! π Happy FF xx
Yes please! Margaritas is one of my favourites too and this looks to die for! π
Thank you!!
Oh my gosh, I wouldn’t say no to one, or maybe even two, of these! Gorgeous!
π Thank you!
This looks BEYOND fabulous!! Nice!
These look so good Michelle! I love strawberry margaritas but have never had one with black pepper before- sounds like a great combination!