Tamarind Margarita

Tamarind margarita is a fun version of the famous Mexican cocktail. Tangy, sweet and slightly spicy, this tequila cocktail will become one of your favorites!

Margarita is a famous cocktail from Mexico made with tequila, orange liqueur (like Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier) and lime juice. It is served in the eponymous margarita glass with salt on the rims.

This tamarind margarita is a fun and creative spin on the classic cocktail with a nice sweet-tart kick from the tamarind concentrate that will get you hooked at the first sip.

What is tamarind

Tamarind is a tree from Africa and Asia that also grows in tropical climates such as Mexico and other Latin American countries. Its produce is used to prepare paste, powder and concentrates that are used in many recipes around the world. In Mexico, tamarind is used to make beverages, such as Agua Fresca de Tamarindo, candies, and paletas (ice popsicles).

Why tamarind concentrate?

In some parts of the world, finding tamarind pods is not easy, but luckily, there’s two more options to make this tamarind margarita: tamarind concentrate and tamarind paste. Both of those are widely sold in Amazon, the photo below shows you the tamarind concentrate brand I used, but you can use any brand you prefer to make your margarita de tamarindo!

TIP: Before making the recipe below, check up if your tamarind concentrate or paste contain sugar already. In case it doesn’t, double the amount of syrup.

A fun way to rim your glasses

• HOT SALSA: Use Mexican hot salsa such as Valentina, Tapatío or even better, Chamoy! This salsa has a sweet and tangy kick that goes perfect with tamarind margarita.
• CHILI POWDER: I love using Tajín chili powder, because is not as spicy as other chili powders out there and it provides the right balance of spiciness, saltiness, and a touch of lime.

Tamarind Margarita Recipe (1 cocktail)

• Place chili powder (Tajín) in a dish and some hot salsa (Chamoy) in another deep plate.
• Dip the rim of a margarita glass first into the hot sauce and then into the salt mixture. Set aside.
• Place about a coup of crushed ice in a shaker, pour in the tequila, orange liqueur, and then add the tamarind concentrate, lime juice, and syrup.
• Shake and pour into the margarita glasses you prepared before.

How To Make a Pitcher of Margaritas

• Prepare your ingredients x 6 (9 oz tequila, 9 oz tamarind concentrate, and so on.)
• Prepare the rims of 6 margarita glasses as explained above.
• Put tamarind concentrate in a pitcher and then pour in tequila, orange liqueur, tamarind concentrate, lime juice and syrup. With a spoon, mix until all ingredients are combined.
• Add 1 cup of sparkling water and crushed ice, mix to combine.
• Serve on the margarita glasses you prepared before.

DID YOU KNOW? Tamarind is both a fruit and a legume! Here’s a quote from the Uff Post that explains it better:

The tamarind tree is leguminous, and is part of the Fabaceae family. Its fruit is called an indehiscent legume, which means it doesn’t open naturally at maturity, but remains closed. Inside the pods are a few large seeds and a sticky, tart pulp, which becomes even tarter after the pods are dried.

Uff Post: What the hell is tamarind, anyway?

Other Mexican Cocktails

• Clamato Michelada. If you love bloody mary cocktails, this Mexican beer cocktail is for you!
• Mango Michelada. The classic Michelada recipe gets a fun and tropical twist with this recipe. This is the perfect drink to sip in those hot, summer nights.
• Frozen Strawberry Margarita. Another margarita cocktail with a sweet touch.

DID YOU ENJOY THIS TAMARIND MARGARITA RECIPE? Please, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you! Also, remember that you can share it using the buttons below and follow this blog on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE!