Spiked Tropical Green Juice (aka Green Margarita)

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.

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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!