Lemon Margarita
Sip the last few weeks of summer away with a smooth Lemon Margarita! Freshly squeezed lemon juice is complemented by homemade rosemary simple syrup, triple sec, and just the right amount of tequila.
This lemon margarita is tangy, sweet, and has the most lovely rosemary touch! Serve these cocktails at a party or enjoy one at the end of a sunny summer day.
Margaritas are typically made with lime juice, but it’s fun to flip tradition on its head sometimes. This version still has the classic margarita staples of tequila, triple sec, and simple syrup, but fresh lemon juice takes the place of the lime.
The simple syrup is also infused with fresh rosemary, which makes this cocktail a little different from a traditional margarita. And when you make the quick and easy rosemary simple syrup, you’re going to love how amazing your kitchen smells!
For more recipes with fresh lemon flavor, try our Lemon Poppy Seed Bread, Lemon Pasta, or Easy Ginger Lemonade.
How to Make a Lemon Margarita
For the Rosemary Simple Syrup:
- Place the sugar, water, and rosemary in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Make sure not to let the ingredients boil.
- Once sugar dissolves completely, remove the pot from heat and allow it to cool.
- Discard the rosemary springs, and pour the syrup into an airtight container.
To Make the Margarita:
- Rim the glass of your glass of choice with lemon juice, then dip the rim in sugar.
- Place the ice in a cocktail shaker. Then, add the tequila, lemon juice, triple sec, and 1 ounce of rosemary simple syrup. Close and shake for 30 seconds.
- Pour the margarita into the glass and serve.
Lemon Margarita Tips and Variations
Cointreau can be used in place of triple sec.
For a stronger rosemary flavor, gently roll or bruise the sprigs with a rolling pin before adding them to the simple syrup. This helps release the natural oils. You can also double the number of rosemary sprigs.
For a less sweet margarita, reduce the simple syrup and add a traditional salt rim.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice or lemon juice from concentrate can taste flat or artificial compared to fresh lemon juice.
Storage
Storage: If you’d like to make the rosemary simple syrup ahead of time, it’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week.
More Cocktail Recipes:
- Grapefruit Mezcalita
- Cucumber Margarita
- Margarita on the Rocks
- Piña Colada
- Blueberry Gin Cocktail
- Mai Tai
- Cranberry Margarita
- Ginger Pear Cocktail
- Painkiller
Ingredients
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 3-6 sprigs rosemary, fresh
Margarita
- Lemon wedge, to wet the glass
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, to rim the glass
- 1 cup ice
- 3 ounces blanco tequila
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 2 ounces triple sec
- 1 ounce rosemary simple syrup
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Instructions
For the Simple Syrup:
- Place the sugar, water, and rosemary in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Make sure not to let the ingredients boil.1 cup granulated sugar1 cup water3-6 sprigs rosemary
- Once sugar dissolves completely, remove the pot from heat and allow it to cool.
- Discard the rosemary springs, and pour the syrup into an airtight container.
To Make the Margarita:
- Rim the glass of your glass of choice with lemon juice, then dip the rim in sugar.Lemon wedge1/2 cup granulated sugar
- Place the ice in a cocktail shaker. Then, add the tequila, lemon juice, triple sec, and 1 ounce of rosemary simple syrup. Shake to combine.1 cup ice3 ounces blanco tequila2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice2 ounces triple sec1 ounce rosemary simple syrup
- Pour the margarita into the glass and serve. See post for tips, variations and storage options.