Margarita Sugar Rim With Basil Recipe
This fantastic margarita sugar rim with basil recipe amps up the taste of your favorite refreshing margarita and takes it from fun to freaking fun-tastic!
The combined sweetness of sugar and the enticing aroma of basil make this a must-try for margarita lovers to try. By learning how to make rimming sugar with basil, you’ll be able to serve drinks that are creative and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Sugar Rim
This basil sugar rim is super easy to make with simple ingredients! You only need sugar and basil plus lime juice, and you’re well on your way to making a cocktail rim that’s perfect to serve for any occasion.
Once combined, it takes some time for the ingredients to dry, but it’ll be worth it.
The homemade margarita with sugar rim adds a touch of sweetness to your drink, making your tastebuds savor every sip. A sugar-rimmed margarita glass is one of my favorite ways to enjoy this cocktail.
Related: How to Salt a Margarita Glass
Basil gives your sugar rim a refreshing and herbaceous twist that’s hard to resist. Basil has a hint of sweet licorice and pairs really well with fruit. Strawberries and basil are one of my favorite flavor combinations.
This margarita sugar rim with basil is super tasty with our Strawberry Lemonade Margarita. But it really will work with any margarita recipe. I enjoy herbs all year long but there is something special about using them in spring!
Ingredients
Granulated sugar also known as white or “regular sugar” is preferable for making a cocktail sugar rims thanks to its bright, clean flavor and crunchy texture. You can use any brand you have on hand.
Using fresh basil can elevate the flavor and aroma creating a more enjoyable drinking experience. If you’re thinking about swapping the fresh leaves for dried basil, that might not work for this one, as it won’t add the same fresh flavors to the drink.
NOTE: Use the best basil for your recipe. Thai basil has a distinct spicy and licorice-like flavor, while sweet basil has a more traditional sweet and peppery taste.
Be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for the complete recipe.
How to Make Basil Sugar for a Margarita
Step 1
Finely chop the basil. You want the pieces as small as you can get them.
Step 2
Whisk together 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar with 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh basil (around 2 basil sprigs).
Step 3
Spread the basil sugar mixture inside a small-rimmed baking pan.
Step 4
Allow the mixture to dry at room temperature for 3-4 hours. Make sure to stir it occasionally to ensure even drying.
Once dry, you can use this aromatic sugar mixture to rim the margarita glass you’ll serve your drink in.
You can see that the basil sugar slips down the glass a little. This is due to the heaviness of the basil leaves. You still get the flavor and the amazing scent as you bring the glass to your nose.
Rim Your Margarita Glass
- Place the basil sugar into a shallow dish or bowl wide enough to fit the mouth of your margarita glass.
- Wet the rim of your margarita glass with fresh lime juice.
- Roll the rim in the basil and sugar mixture.
- Shake off any excess and you’re done.
- Re-roll as needed to ensure the coverage you want.
Tips
- The finer you chop the basil leaves, the better. It will stick to the rim of the glass better if the basil pieces are smaller. Or try these herb scissors!
- Instead of chopping by hand, you can put the sugar and basil inside a food processor and pulse until you no longer see big pieces of leaves in the sugar.
- Even with just a little bit of the leaves, you will get that gorgeous scent and its amazing basil flavor as the oils mix in with the sugar.
- This sugar rim goes well with just about any margarita recipe, and it’s perfect for those with fruity flavors, watermelon margarita, and a crowd-favorite – the blackberry basil margarita.
Variations to Try
Frequently Asked Questions
The difference between a salt rim and sugar rim is one is sweet while the other adds a perfect, salty touch to your margaritas. Salt rims are commonly used, but sugar rims are also catching on.
A salt rim can provide a nice tangy contrast when serving citrusy margaritas. But, if you’re serving fruity drinks, sugar rims can elevate the sweetness to a whole new level.
It depends on what you’re aiming for. Granulated sugar is most commonly used for sugar rims, but you can mix things using brown or turbinado sugar. Just make sure the granules are small enough (light enough) to stick to the glass well. Some may dip their glasses in candy sprinkles for a cute, colorful effect!
While you’ll often see glass rims coated in salt, some drinks may not pair well with them. Dry or tart drinks may benefit from the added sweetness a sugar rim brings, making them better for balancing the cocktail’s ingredients.
That will ultimately depend on how strong you want your margarita with basil to taste. Muddling basil can give your margarita a delightful aroma and a subtle basil flavor. Just be mindful not to overdo it, as basil has a potent flavor, and too much could overpower the other ingredients.
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More Margarita Posts
Basil Sugar Rim for Margaritas
Equipment
- Baking pan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped basil
- fresh lime juice or other juices, to rim the glass
Instructions
- Whisk together granulated sugar with chopped fresh basil.
- Spread the mixture on a small rimmed baking pan.
- Allow the mixture to dry at room temperature for 3-4 hours. Make sure to stir it occasionally to ensure even drying.
To Rim a Glass
- Wet the rim of your glass with fresh lime juice, roll the rim in the basil and sugar mixture, shake off any excess. Re-roll if necessary.
Notes
- The finer you chop the basil leaves, the better it will stick to the rim of the glasses. Instead of chopping by hand, you can put the sugar and basil inside a food processor and pulse until you no longer see big pieces of leaves in the sugar.
- Even with just a little bit of the leaves, you will get that gorgeous scent and its amazing basil flavor as the oils mix in with the sugar.
- This sugar rim goes well with any fruity margarita.
