Blackberry & Thyme Margarita Cocktail Recipe

Fresh blackberries with a savoury kick from the sprigs of thyme – a combination of flavours that work perfect together! This cocktail is sweet, refreshing and surprisingly easy to make.

It’s important to call out the use of thyme in this cocktail, as although subtle, it is a worthy addition. The thyme will help bring out the tequila’s spicy notes, whilst adding gentle, herbal notes to the drink.

Although you might think the Maldon Salt rim is just for decoration, it actually serves a purpose! The flaky sea salt adds balance to the drink due to counteracting the bitterness from the tequila and enhancing the sweetness from the blackberry. The rim also provides texture, stimulating your receptor cells.

Here is how to make our Blackberry & Thyme Margarita…

1. Mix together the Maldon Salt and the picked thyme leaves on a small plate. Set side.
2. Rub the rim of a lowball glass or short tumbler with the wedge of lime so it is wet. Then, turn the glass upside down into the salt and thyme mix and press, turning it so that t there is a good even coating of salt around the rim of each glass.
3. In a cocktail shaker add the 6 blackberries and 3 thyme sprigs. Muddle these well by pressing the the blackberries so that they burst and break down.
4. In the same shaker add the tequila, agave and lime juice.
5. Fill the shaker half full of ice, then pop the lid on and shake well for a minute until the shaker is cold to touch.
6. Add some ice cubes into your salt rimmed glasses.
7. Pour the margarita through a fine strainer into each glass.
8. Garnish with the remaining blackberries and a sprig of thyme in each glass.
9. Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to make this virgin / alcohol-free?

You can easily make this recipe virgin / alcohol-free by replacing the tequila and using a combination of ingredients:

• Lime and lemon juice to bring citrus.
• Tonic or Sparkling water to add bubbles.
• Simple syrup / agave syrup to balance out the tartness.

What to serve with this cocktail?

As Mexico is the homeland for a classic margarita, it makes sense to pair a delicious Mexican dish with this drink! Serve our tacos to experience a perfect balance in flavours from the fiery zest of the pulled pork with the sweet and slightly bitterness of the blackberry and thyme.

We find that tequila also pairs beautifully well with grilled seafood, such as squid or prawns. Serve our BBQ prawns, tossed in a chilli and garlic marinade to give you a gentle kick of spice whilst you take a sip of your sweet, soothing margarita.

What other herbs would work instead of thyme?

If you are not a fan of thyme, blackberries pair well with mint and basil. Additionally, rosemary and sage work well with blackberry, but please do add sparingly as tend to be very strong in both taste and aroma.