If you love tequila cocktails, but want a change from the traditional margarita, then this strawberry tequila smash is a great choice! It’s a delicious recipe made with fresh strawberries and mint for a drink that’s fruity, refreshing, and perfect for spring and summer.
What is a Strawberry Tequila Smash?
A strawberry tequila smash is a refreshing cocktail made with fresh strawberries, tequila, lemon or lime juice, mint, and a touch of sweetener, all muddled together and served over ice.
It’s a fruit-forward, slightly herbaceous drink with a perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and the bold character of tequila. This strawberry version is perfect for summer with the fresh fruit, though truthfully you can enjoy it year round.
Unlike a margarita, smashes skip the orange liqueur and instead use fresh muddled fruit and herbs. This gives it a fresher, more vibrant flavor with a slightly less citrus-forward profile compared to a margarita. I still love a good smash for Cinco de Mayo!
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Strawberry Tequila Smash Ingredients
- 1 ½ oz tequila (Blanco or silver)
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 medium strawberries (washed, stems removed, and halved)
- ½ oz agave nectar (or to taste)
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
Variations and Substitutions
- You can use your favorite kind of tequila, or this recipe is also tasty with whiskey, vodka, or gin as a substitute
- Instead of lemon juice, feel free to substitute lime juice instead (I just like the strawberry lemonade vibes you get with the lemon). Fresh juice is definitely best for this recipe, but you can use bottled in a pinch
- I recommend peeling the strawberries (I use a paring knife) to remove the seeds! It’s easy to do, and prevents seeds in your teeth! However, you can drink them, or strain them later, too. If you don’t have fresh strawberries, you can use ¾ ounce of strawberry puree (such as Finest Call strawberry puree)
- While agave is traditional for a tequila smash, you can sub another sweetener of choice, like simple syrup, honey, or even maple syrup
- For a different herbal variation, try basil leaves instead of mint!
Step By Step Instructions
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker (or mason jar), add the strawberries, fresh mint, and lemon juice. If you want chunks of fruit in your drink, you can also do this right in the serving glass instead!
- Muddle the fruit and mint, using a cocktail muddler or the blunt end of a wooden spoon, until the mint is bruised and fragrant and the berries have released their juice
- Add in the tequila and agave, along with a handful of ice cubes. Fill your glass for serving with crushed ice. If you muddled directly in your drinking glass, just add the other ingredients, stir, and add the ice on top. I do recommend removing the mint leaves so it’s easier to drink
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into your prepared glass. The shaker’s strainer will catch large chunks of fruit and whole mint leaves, but seeds can pass through. Feel free to pour through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for a cleaner strain, or peel the strawberries ahead of time to remove seeds
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry and sprig of fresh mint if desired, and enjoy!
- Watermelon Bourbon Smash
- Blueberry Tequila Smash
Recipe FAQs
What Makes a Drink a Smash?
A smash is a cocktail that typically includes a spirit, fresh fruit, herbs (like mint or basil), a sweetener, and ice. The key characteristic of a smash is the muddling process, where the fresh ingredients are crushed to release their flavors, creating a refreshing and aromatic drink.
Unlike more structured cocktails, a smash is often served over crushed ice and can be easily customized with different spirits and fruits.
How Much Alcohol Is in a Tequila Smash?
The alcohol content of a tequila smash depends on the amount of tequila used. A standard recipe usually includes 1.5 to 2 ounces of tequila, which results in an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 10-15%, depending on dilution from ice and mixers.
This makes it comparable in strength to a margarita but slightly lighter if served over crushed ice with additional mixers.
What Is the Smoothest Type of Tequila?
The smoothest type of tequila is generally considered to be extra añejo due to its extended aging process (at least three years in oak barrels), which gives it a rich, mellow, and complex flavor.
However, for cocktails like a tequila smash, a high-quality reposado (aged 2-12 months) or blanco (unaged but smooth) tequila works best, as they retain the bright agave character while still being smooth enough for sipping.
What Is the Best Thing to Mix With Tequila?
Tequila pairs well with citrus flavors like lime, grapefruit, and orange, as well as sweet and herbal elements such as honey, agave syrup, and mint. Popular mixers include club soda, ginger beer, pineapple juice, fresh berries, and tonic water.
For a tequila smash, fresh fruit (such as strawberries, blackberries, or peaches) combined with mint or basil creates a perfectly balanced and refreshing cocktail!
Tips For the Best Strawberry Tequila Smash
- Adjust the sweetness by modifying the amount of agave as desired. You can add extra lemon juice or a bit of unsweetened sparkling water to the drink to balance it back out if you added too much. A lot depends on both personal preference, as well as how sweet your strawberries are naturally (but I tried to keep it somewhat “middle of the road” as written)
- As written, this drink is about medium strength due to the ratio of alcohol to mixers. You can add more tequila (I sometimes do 2 ounces instead) or to taste for a stronger drink
Serving and Presentation Tips
- Garnishes are optional, but you can do a fresh strawberry, lemon slice, or a sprig of fresh mint. While not as common, feel free to add a salt, sugar, or Tajin rim to the glass to create unique flavor variations!
- A smash is usually served in a lowball glass, like a rocks, whiskey, or old fashioned glass. A mason jar, white wine glass, or coupe also work!
Final Thoughts
This strawberry tequila smash is fruity, refreshing, and a great alternative to margaritas! I love serving it for all sorts of summer occasions, from backyard barbecues to pool parties, and picnics to beach days. It’s versatile, simple, and best of all – delicious!
You could even use a blender to combine your strawberry smash with the ice and make a sort of slushie version if you wanted a way to cool down even more during the hot summer days!
I love a simple cocktail recipe like this when all you want to do is kick back, relax, and catch some summer rays with no worries. So, if you love strawberries and tequila, this may just be a new favorite cocktail for you for happy hour and beyond!
Strawberry Tequila Smash (Easy Cocktail Recipe)
Equipment
- Shaker (or mason jar)
- Muddler (or wooden spoon)
- Rocks glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces tequila (Blanco or silver)
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- 2 medium strawberries (washed, stems and seeds (optional) removed, and halved)
- ½ ounce agave nectar (or to taste)
- 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
Instructions
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker (or mason jar), add the strawberries, fresh mint, and lemon juice. If you want chunks of fruit in your drink, do this in your glass instead!¾ ounce fresh lemon juice, 2 medium strawberries, 3-4 fresh mint leaves
- Muddle the fruit and mint, using a muddler or the blunt end of a wooden spoon, until the mint is bruised and fragrant and the berries have released their juice
- Add in the tequila and agave, along with a handful of ice cubes. Fill your glass for serving with crushed ice. If muddling in your glass, just add the other ingredients, stir, and add the ice on top. Remove the mint leaves so it's easier to drink1 ½ ounces tequila, ½ ounce agave nectar, Crushed ice
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into your prepared glass. The shaker’s strainer will catch large chunks of fruit and whole mint leaves, but seeds can pass through. Feel free to pour through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for a cleaner strain if you didn’t peel your berries
- Garnish if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use your favorite kind of tequila, or substitute whiskey, vodka, or gin
- Instead of lemon juice, you can substitute lime juice. Fresh juice is definitely best for this recipe, but you can use bottled in a pinch
- I recommend peeling the strawberries to remove the seeds. However, you can drink them, or strain them later, too. If you don’t have fresh strawberries, you can use ¾ ounce of strawberry puree instead
- While agave is traditional here, you can sub another sweetener of choice, like simple syrup or honey
- For a different herbal variation, try basil leaves instead of mint
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
