Thai Margarita Recipe
Make Thai Margarita Recipe in just 35m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Cocktail
Thai Basil-Lemongrass Simple Syrup (yields ~1 cup)
Garnish
Method
Thai Basil-Lemongrass Simple Syrup
- 1
Make syrup
Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add bruised lemongrass stalks (smash with the back of a knife to release oils) and 1 cup packed Thai basil leaves and bring just to a gentle simmer for 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in 1 tsp lime zest if using, cover and steep for 20 minutes to infuse. Strain syrup through a fine-mesh sieve (press solids to extract flavor), discard solids, cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until cold. Yields ~1 cup syrup; measure 0.75 oz per cocktail.
Cocktail
- 2
Prep glass
If you like a salted rim, rub a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks or coupe glass, then dip the rim into a shallow dish with coarse sea salt or Tajín to coat. Set glass in the freezer or fill with ice to chill while you mix.
- 3
Muddle basil (and chile if using)
In a cocktail shaker, add 6 fresh Thai basil leaves and, if using heat, half a small Thai chile (seeds removed for milder heat). Gently muddle 6–8 times — press and twist once or twice — just to bruise leaves and release aromatics; avoid pulverizing to prevent bitterness.
- 4
Shake
Add 2 oz tequila, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 0.75 oz Thai basil-lemongrass syrup, 0.5 oz Cointreau, and 1 cup ice to the shaker. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the shaker is well chilled.
- 5
Double strain and serve
Discard any ice from the chilled serving glass if used. Fine-strain the cocktail into the prepared glass using a Hawthorne or julep strainer and a fine-mesh sieve to remove basil bits and chile seeds. Add fresh ice if serving on the rocks or serve straight up in a coupe.
- 6
Garnish
Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim, a sprig of Thai basil tucked into the drink, and a thin slice of Thai chile laid on top for visual heat and aroma if desired. Serve immediately.
