strawberry basil margarita {a skinny margarita recipe!}

I currently have this skinny margarita recipe on repeat status and I'm not sorry about it. A frozen strawberry basil margarita made with fresh berries and loads of basil, it's a refreshing (and low-carb) drink that just feels right during summer (probably because our weather is consistently pushing 110°F!). Speaking of heat, add a few slices of fresh jalapeño to your drink, right alongside the basil leaves and lime garnishes, for a tasty flavor combination (one of my favorite combos, also used in my homemade limeade recipe)! This drink recipe can also double as a keto mocktail, so if that's more your thing, swap the tequila for flavored sparkling water. However you make these, they're so refreshing, you'll need another round on standby. 🙂

alcohol and ketosis

I never planned on sharing drink recipes here on Stem and Spoon, mainly because we don't make them too often (well, at least until I got on this strawberry basil margarita kick :)). Most drinks out there are loaded with sugar and/or carbs, plus Ian has avoided alcohol since his diagnosis. However, it is totally possible to stay in ketosis and enjoy the occasional adult beverage, but it's important to know that alcohol does have an impact on ketosis. Essentially, with fewer carbs in your system, you'll probably find you have a lower tolerance than you used to have and the effects of alcohol might hit you more quickly (you've been warned!).

hooray for keto cocktails

I will be the first to say I'm no mixologist, in fact I typically opt for a glass of wine when it comes to adult beverages. However, this skinny margarita recipe is SO good and EASY to make, it would just be wrong of me not to share it. 😉

In case you need a list of reasons why you should try this skinny margarita recipe:

• it's cold, sweet, and fresh-- frozen strawberry margarita with hints of basil and (optional) jalapeño is the perfect mix for summer
• it's a "healthy" keto cocktail-- this strawberry basil margarita is a spin on the classic that swaps monk fruit for all the sugar you'd typically use (no sugar = low calorie = skinny margarita recipe!)
• you only need 6 ingredients and less than 10 minutes-- quick and easy, this strawberry basil margarita will be your new favorite keto cocktail!

get the skinny (margarita)!

A frozen strawberry margarita has always been one of my favorite alcoholic beverages, but the downside is that they're full of added sugar. This skinny margarita recipe is for a strawberry basil margarita, but you can easily leave out the basil (and jalapeño garnish) for a more classic strawberry margarita. Or switch up the strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, etc.-- it's a use-what-you-have skinny margarita recipe that's easy to adjust!

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Let's make some, shall we? This recipe makes about two servings, so adjust accordingly to fit your situation.

You will need:

• fresh strawberries
• lime juice
• fresh basil
• tequila (or swap in flavored sparkling water for an easy mocktail)
• liquid monk fruit sweetener (I use llinea monk fruit drops)
• ice
• juice of half an orange (optional)
• lime slices, sea salt, chopped basil leaves, and jalapeño slices (optional) for garnish

Make sure to check out the full recipe at the bottom of the page for all the details and ingredient amounts. Here's a quick summary of the process, just so you can see how simple it is:

1. Prepare your ingredients- Prep the strawberries by rinsing them and cutting off the tops, just enough to remove the leaves/stem. Juice the limes and the orange (optional). Rinse and dry the basil leaves.
2. Blend- Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until the drink mixture is pretty smooth. Taste and adjust, if needed (add more monk fruit, basil, or lime to taste).
3. Garnish + serve- Salt the rims of your serving glasses, pour the strawberry margarita mixture into the glasses, and garnish with lime, basil, and/or jalapeño.

for the mocktail recipe

Searching for a low-carb mocktail recipe? Or maybe some fun mocktail recipes for kids? If you're looking for a delicious and refreshing drink sans alcohol, this skinny margarita recipe doubles as a tasty mocktail recipe that anyone can enjoy!

Here's the mocktail recipe:

1. Follow all the steps in the original recipe and simply omit the tequila.
2. Before serving, add a full cup of club soda or flavored sparkling water (I like lime flavored water but make sure it's unsweetened). Stir in the soda water with a spoon.
3. Pour, garnish, enjoy!

p.s. If you're adding this skinny margarita recipe to your list of mocktail recipes for kids, I'd suggest leaving out the jalapeño garnish and halving the amount of basil. My kids like this drink because it's essentially a frozen strawberry slushy, and it's extra wonderful because there's ZERO added sugar!

tips for an extra tasty strawberry margarita

• Serve this drink immediately- if it sits too long, the ice will melt and will become less slushy, aka more watered down.
• Strawberries can be incorporated into a keto diet as long as you don't overdo it. One pint of strawberries has about 20g net carbs and 17g sugar. This recipe calls for half a pint, and serves two, which means each serving has 5g net carbs and about 4g sugar from the strawberries alone. If you're not too concerned about those numbers, you can add more strawberry for extra flavor.
• The juice from half an orange isn't necessary, but it's a tasty addition that replaces the orange liqueur typically used in margaritas. It will add a couple more grams of sugar, so if you're being extra conservative, you can skip it or use a bit of orange extract/flavor. I've even used a couple of drops of orange essential oil.

Enjoy this skinny margarita recipe! I love the combination of flavors and I know I'll be sipping on this strawberry basil margarita all summer long!

Cheers, friends!

you might also love...

• These grilled shrimp skewers with a basil avocado dressing to keep the summer vibes going! Keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, and DELISH.
• This low-carb chicken shawarma plate with roasted vegetables. It's an easy and flavorful keto meal!
• A low-carb strawberry rhubarb chia jam that's summer-y, delicious, and a great way to use some fresh rhubarb.