What’s not to love about Margarita Fruit Salad!? Fresh, juicy strawberries swimming in a mixture of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice… all served up in a sugar-rimmed glass! The PERFECT twist on fruit salad!

When it comes to cocktails, margaritas are a classic! They’re a go-to at Mexican restaurants and a favorite on hot summer days… and there are countless ways to do them. From a basic Margarita on the Rocks to a Frozen Mango Margarita to a spicy Jalapeño Margarita… if you can think it, you can make it. And this Margarita Fruit Salad is no exception!

It takes all the margarita flavors you know and love and combines them into a deliciously simple, refreshing fruit salad that’s perfect for summer!

Since I love a good strawberry marg, I decided to make this salad with strawberries only. But! You could definitely add pineapple, mango, or any combination of fruits you love. No matter how you make it… this is one side dish that’s sure to be a party favorite. Cheers!

What you’ll need for this recipe

Strawberries – This recipe calls for 2 pounds of fresh, ripe strawberries. I always look for berries that are firm, unblemished, and deep red in color. Since you’ll be cutting them for this salad, size is not important.

Lime – In addition to fresh strawberries, you’ll also need 1 fresh lime. This recipe uses both the juice and the zest, so I would recommend zesting first. To juice them, start by rolling them gently on a hard surface. Then cut them each in half and use either your hands or a citrus juicer to squeeze the juice.

Tequila – It wouldn’t be “margarita” without tequila! This fruit salad calls for 3 Tablespoons of silver tequila, but you can feel free to and an extra splash and/or use whatever type you have on hand.

Triple sec – Triple Sec is another key ingredient in margaritas. I added 2 Tablespoons to this recipe. You can substitute any type of orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier.

Simple syrup – A splash of simple syrup helps bring out the sweetness of the strawberries and balances out the other flavors perfectly. You can use store bought (often called Bar Syrup) or make your own by boiling equal parts granulated sugar and water until the sugar is completely dissolved.

How to make Margarita Fruit Salad

Prep the strawberries. Wash, trim, and halve the strawberries. Place them in a large mixing bowl.

Zest and juice the limes. Zest the lime using a fine grater or citrus zester. Set the zest aside, then cut the lime in half and juice it.

Combine the liquids. Combine the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup in a small container. Whisk well.

Assemble and garnish the salad. Pour the liquids evenly over the strawberries and stir to combine. Garnish with lime zest. For best presentation, serve in a sugar rimmed glass with a lime wedge.

Recipe Variations

Add additional fruits, such as fresh pineapple or mango
Use any type of tequila in place of silver
Use your favorite flavored tequila
Substitute coconut lime simple syrup for a delicious flavor twist
Substitute Cointreau or Grand Marnier for Triple Sec
Omit the simple syrup for less sweetness

how to make the best margarita fruit salad

The key to success in this recipe is to start with fresh, ripe strawberries. Since they’re clearly the star of the show, the fresher the better! Also key is to enjoy it while fresh rather than letting it sit for too long. Unfortunately, this is not a recipe you can make in advance; however, you can prep the strawberries and measure the liquids in advance and simply combine just before serving.

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