Avocado Basil Margarita

Wow! July is here and I can feel NYC heating up! This is our fist 90+ degree day in a very long time and I’m beyond excited that summer is finally here! It puts me in the mood for cold food, refreshing beverages and definitely has me cranking up the air conditioning to stay cool!

It means it is time to whip out the blender for smoothies, nice cream, gazpacho and of course a yummy summer cocktail! I’m obsessed with the rich creaminess of avocado and use it for all of the above! It enhances just about ANYTHING with its texture, dreamy flavor, fiber & nutrient density- whats not to love?!

So what do I look for in a cocktail? I typically go for fresh, citrus-y, herb-y types of drinks with a gin or tequila base (or I truly love mezcal too!!). Margaritas are my jam. Especially Cucumber Jalepeno Margaritas or Watermelon Basil Margaritas (omg yum!). So when I had a full stock of California Avocados, especially ones that were about to die on me and would be best blended up, I thought how cool it would be to do an Avocado Margarita. PLUS, I had some basil growing in my window sill, so the inspiration came naturally based on what was already in my kitchen- which is how MOST of my recipe inspiration happens!

I get my citrus- element from the lime juice, my herb-y element from the basil and then a BONUS rich creaminess from the avocado. I mean, if I’m going to poison my body with alcohol, I might as well have a superfood in there to balance it out (haha kidding, but only a little).

Truly the greatest summer beverage concoction I’ve ever come up with, this Avocado Basil Margarita is a delicious DIY when it is too hot to leave your home to head to the bar. Easily whipped up in a blender in seconds, you’ll be thrilled it cost a fraction of what a night out on the town would (or the $16 they’d probably charge for this drink anywhere in NYC).

Try it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy!!

California Avocado Basil Margarita

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • Zest of 1 Lime

  • 1 tsp Salt

  • 1 Fresh California Avocado

  • 1/4 cup Lime Juice

  • 3 tbsp Tequila

  • 3 tbsp Triple Sec

  • 1 tbsp Agave/Honey

  • A Bunch of Basil Leaves

  • 5-8 Ice Cubes

  • 2 Lime Wheels or Wedges for Garnish

Directions:

  1. Combine Lime Zest & Salt. Spread on plate. Wet the rim of your glass and dip into the zest/salt mixture for a salted rim.

  2. Add avocado, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, agave/honey, basil & ice into blender. Blend until smooth.

  3. Taste and adjust for seasonings (more agave/honey for sweeter flavor, more lime juice for tangy flavor).

  4. Pour into 2 rimmed glasses and add lime wedge & basil leaves for garnish! Enjoy!

This post is sponsored by The California Avocado Commission, but all opinions are my own.

Alyssa Gagarin