Mixed Drink Monday: Blackberry Lemonade Margarita

Happy Memorial Day!  Luke is now out of school which is how we mark the start of summer and I was definitely excited about turning off all my "get your butt out the door" drop-off and pick-up school alarms.  This is the time of year I am, by far, most optimistic for how our summer will go, with just enough structure to make things flow easier but letting go of so many of our school year restraints.  By August we'll be flying by the seat of our pants with staying up late, eating popsicles, and saying yes to almost anything safe.  Sure!  Play in mud!  Just clean off before you come inside!  So, we'll see how this summer goes.  My kids also seem to, quickly, alternate between being best friends and doing their best to hurt each other SO...that should be interesting.  Yay summer!

We're back to margaritas, as I always make this weekend.  I spent EIGHT summers doing these Mixed Drink Mondays and so I couldn't kick off another summer without one.  Although, this might be it for the summer?  We'll see if I stumble upon any good recipes!  They do take a decent amount of time and while I am usually happy with the finished product, it's also a HECK OF A LOT easier to just pop open a can of something (Matt & I LOVE that can popping on Friday and Saturday evenings, and vacation as appropriate).  It honestly might be the most relaxing moment of my whole week.  

These margaritas were delicious and I'm always delighted to find a version we have yet to try, as long as it's not watermelon, cherry, or any other gross fruit flavor (or pretty much any flavor that not a fruit or just a plain margarita).  It was VERY helpful to me that blackberries were on sale the week I was making these.  Man, I miss that fresh produce in the winter.  Just enough taste to be different than a basic margarita but not too difficult.  We also have some people in this house who love them some lemonade so that was good to have on hand too (I've made lemonade from scratch but we almost always have mix here, it's a standard drink we offer when having people over.)  So, if you are looking for something to elevate a margarita, here you go!  Cheers!

Note: 1 liquid ounce = 2 tablespoons, if you prefer to measure that way.

One year ago: Blueberry Margaritas
Two years ago: Homemade Honey Margarita
Three years ago: Sweet Tea Margarita
Four years ago: Blackberry Margarita
Six years ago: Basic Margarita
Seven years ago: Friday Smoothie & Frozen Coconut Limeade
Eight years ago: Blackberry Sun Tea & Sex on the Beach

 

Blackberry Lemonade Margarita
yield: one good sized drink or two smaller ones, multiply as needed
Ingredients
Blackberry Puree
-1½-2 cups fresh blackberries, washed and drained
-1-2 TB sugar

Margarita
-¼ cup of sugar (optional, for rimming) OR
-¼ cup kosher/coarse salt (for rimming)
-2 lemons
-4 tsp blackberry puree
-4 ounces lemonade
-2 ounces tequila

Directions
Blackberry Puree
1) Process blackberries in a blender or with an immersion blender (my pick for less dishes) until smooth.  Push through a fine-mesh colander to remove the seeds.   Add 1-2 TB sugar to the puree and stir to combine.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.  Can be made days in advance (if you are only making the drinks in the quantity specified here, you will have quite a bit left over.)

Margarita
1) Sprinkle the sugar and/or salt on a plate and add the zest of one of the lemons.  Rub a cut slice of lemon around the top of the glass and dip upside down in the salt/sugar.  Fill the glasses about halfway with ice.
2) Fill a cocktail shaker about half full with ice and add 2 tsp of blackberry puree, 2 oz lemonade, and 1 oz tequila.  Shake, shake shake.  Strain through the lid into your glass and repeat for second serving.

Enjoy!

Source: slightly modified from Valerie's Kitchen