All week long we’ve been celebrating the start of the AK Summer Series highlighting new produce each week, and I’m so excited to share that we’ll be capping off each week with a brand new seasonal cocktail recipe!
Summer Fridays just got better with this first recipe: a spiked tropical green juice, aka a delicious green margarita. Rebecca had a similar cocktail years ago and loved it so much that she’s serving it at her wedding this fall! How lucky that we get to share it with all of you?!
This incredible green juice cocktail is herby, a little spicy, perfectly sweet with tropical flavors, and SO refreshing. If you’ve been looking for a garden-inspired cocktail to use up the herbs growing in your yard, this is the perfect one. Enjoy it on a hot summer day with friends and loved ones!
It’s green juice, with a party twist
While green juices (and other cold-pressed juices) aren’t a huge part of my routine, I do love a good cold, refreshing green juice filled with all of the flavors and green vegetables like cucumber, kale, ginger, maybe some green apple, celery stalks, etc. You won’t catch me brewing up celery juice in the morning, but you might just catch me sipping on this delicious green juice margarita on a Friday night.
This cocktail just feels like the ultimate balance of nutrient-packed and FUN. Many green margarita recipes use extra liquors like blue curacao and Aperol to create the green color, but we’re just adding in tequila and plenty of herbs for the same effect.
Ingredients in this green margarita recipe
You’ll just need about 6 simple, fresh ingredients to make this green juice cocktail AKA green margarita. The combination might sound odd (cilantro in a cocktail?) but trust me when I say it’s SO flavorful and refreshing! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tequila: I prefer to use silver tequila, or tequila blanco, in margarita recipes. If you’re not a fan of tequila, feel free to use vodka or gin.
- Water: you’ll need some cold water to help balance all of the flavors and allow the margarita to blend well.
- Lime juice: gotta have fresh lime juice in a margarita!
- Sweetener: feel free to add agave or simple syrup to sweeten the cocktail if you’d like. See below to learn how to make your own simple syrup at home.
- Pineapple: we’re adding lovely tropical flavor with fresh pineapple chunks.
- Herbs & heat: you’ll also blend in fresh mint and cilantro for an herby element that’s absolutely delicious. If you like a little spice, you can also add a couple slices of jalapeño!
Can I use a different fruit?
Sure! I think mango would also be delicious in this green juice cocktail and would still give it that lovely, tropical flavor. If you’re looking for more of a true green juice flavor, feel free to use a green apple!
DIY simple syrup
A quick shortcut for simple syrup: shake equal parts granulated sugar and water (2 tablespoons each would be enough for 2 green margaritas) in a small jar for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves. That’s it!
Don’t forget to garnish
What’s a fancy homemade cocktail without pretty garnishes? I like to rim the glasses with salt first! To do so, you’ll cut a wedge from a lime and rub the cut side of the lime along the rim of the glass. Pour kosher or coarse salt onto a small plate and dip the wet glass rim into the salt to coat it. Then make your green juice cocktail and pour it right in.
Finally, I like to top each glass with a sprig of cilantro or mint and a slice of jalapeño. Gorgeous!
How to make a green margarita
- Prep your glasses. As I mentioned above, feel free to add a salted rim to each of your glasses to start. Then add some ice cubes into the glasses for chilling the cocktail.
- Blend the margarita. Add all of your ingredients to a blender and blend it up until the herbs are fully processed.
- Pour it up. Pour the cocktail into your prepared glasses, add those fresh garnishes, and enjoy!
Do I need to strain it?
Because we’re just blending herbs and fresh pineapple instead of other veggies like cucumber and celery, you shouldn’t have to strain the cocktail. If your blender doesn’t seem to be processing the herbs as finely as you’d like, feel free to pour the cocktail through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and into your glasses.
Share this green juice cocktail with guests
If you’d like to make more than 2 cocktails, feel free to triple or quadruple this recipe and pour it into a pitcher for serving.
Our favorite cocktail-making tools
- The perfect cocktail shaker
- A simple strainer in case your shaker doesn’t have one
- I love using this hand juicer for all things juicing
- Cute margarita glasses like the ones I used in this recipe
- A pitcher for serving a party
Get all of our go-to kitchen essentials here!
More cocktail recipes you’ll love
- Frozen Strawberry Margarita
- Grapefruit Margarita
- Palm Springs Cocktail
- Watermelon Frosé
- Spicy Blood Orange Margarita
Get all of my healthy cocktail recipes here!
I hope you love these beautiful, refreshing green juice cocktail recipe! If you make it be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Spiked Tropical Green Juice (aka Green Margarita)
Ingredients
- 4 ounces silver tequila
- ½ cup cold water
- 2 ounces lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 ounce agave or simple syrup (optional for added sweetness)
- 1 cup pineapple, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
- ⅓ cup packed fresh mint leaves
- ½ cup packed fresh cilantro
- 1-3 slices jalapeño (depending on your spice preference!), optional
- For Serving:
- Ice cubes
- Lime wedge for rimming the glass
- Kosher or coarse salt for rimming the glass
- Sprig of cilantro or mint
- Slice of jalapeño
Instructions
- Start by preparing your glasses: Add salt to a small plate. Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of the glass, then dip the rim of the glass in the salt, rolling from side to side until well coated. Add ice cubes into the glasses.
- Add tequila, water, lime juice, agave or simple syrup (if using), pineapple, mint, cilantro, and jalapeño to a blender and blend until herbs are fully processed.
- Divide the cocktail between the glasses, then garnish with a sprig of cilantro or mint and a slice of jalapeño. Cheers!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
4 comments
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use soda to make this to mocktail as i dont use alcohol at home i never had green margarita before perfect for hot days in Singapore love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Hope you love this one, Ramya!
I made this tonight and although it’s delicious, my green juice doesn’t look as dark green or clear as yours. Mine looks more pale green and more smoothie like consistency. Can you tell me what I might’ve done wrong?
Hi! If it tastes delicious, it sounds like you made it right 🙂 For a thinner texture just be sure to blend it all super well to avoid any chunks of herbs. You could also strain it into glasses to filter out any flecks. The color will just depend on how fresh the herbs are. Check out the video to see another example of the thickness/color!