Want a summer cocktail that’s anything but average? Make a Yuzu Margarita! This refreshing cocktail has bright, tropical flavors perfect for a sunny day.
Whether you’re throwing a summer soiree or having a few friends over for lunch on a sunny day, having a special cocktail can elevate any gathering.
During the spring and summer, I just love making different variations of the classic margarita. From cool melon Cantaloupe Margaritas to Spicy Mango Margaritas to Champagne Margaritas, there are so many fun twists you can put on this crowd pleasing cocktail.
This new margarita recipe has the zesty allure of exotic yuzu, a prized Asian citrus fruit, with the timeless appeal of a well-crafted cocktail. Bursting with vibrant flavors and refreshing notes, this cocktail is a perfect fusion of tartness and sweetness. Prepare for an unparalleled margarita experience!
Jump to:
What is yuzu?
Yuzu is a citrus fruit that comes from East Asia. It’s grown in and associated mainly with Japan and Korea, but you will also find it in New Zealand, Australia, Italy, France, and Spain.
Roughly the size of a tangerine, yuzu has a distinct taste that’s a delicious blend of lemon, lime, and grapefruit flavors. You may even detect some floral undertones.
I love to cook with yuzu, as it adds a unique and interesting citrus flavor that is exciting and a little different than the average lemon or lime. Yuzu juice adds bright acidity in cocktails and teas.
🌟 Why this recipe works
This yuzu margarita recipe is a vibrant, lively celebration of this unique fruit. It’s adapted from bartender Dale DeGroff’s Craft of the Cocktail book.
- Simple ingredients – You only need five ingredients to make this recipe.
- Flavorful – The yuzu adds unique flavor and an energizing brightness to a classic cocktail fave.
- Summery – The citrus gives this cocktail a sun-kissed vibe, making it perfect for summertime fun.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Here’s what you need to make this fun twist on a traditional margarita:
- Yuzu – You can buy yuzu juice at most Asian markets and Asian grocery stores. If you can’t find it locally, you can also buy yuzu juice online.
- Tequila – Use a high quality reposado or blanco tequila.
- Triple sec – This orange-flavored liqueur adds another layer of citrus flavor to each sip. You can substitute Grand Marnier or Cointreau for Triple Sec, if you prefer.
- Lime juice – Fresh lime juice adds a nice tartness to the margarita.
- Fresh ginger – You can either grate fresh ginger or finely mince fresh ginger root.
- Garnishes – Garnish your yuzu margarita with lime slices or lemon slices. You can also include thin swirls of orange peel, lemon peel, or lime peel.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
This margarita recipe is so easy to make! You’ll find the full list of ingredients with measurements, as well as detailed instructions, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You can make an optional citrus salt for the rim of your margarita glass by mixing together coarse sea salt with lemon zest and/or lime zest.
To make the margarita, simply fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the ingredients. Shake the yuzu margarita mix well. Then strain and pour into a glass. Garnish with citrus slices and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Blanco tequila, also known as silver or white tequila, is unaged and has a crisp, clean flavor profile that allows the bright citrus notes of the yuzu to shine through. Reposado tequila, on the other hand, is aged in oak barrels for a few months to a year, which imparts a subtle complexity and smoothness that complements the tangy sweetness of the yuzu. Opting for a premium tequila ensures that the flavors in your margarita are well-balanced and enhances the overall drinking experience.
Absolutely! You can easily double this recipe to make two margaritas at a time.
You can find yuzu juice in most Asian grocery stores or Asian markets in the US. You can also buy yuzu juice online.
While yuzu has a distinctive flavor, you can use lemon juice, orange juice, or a mix.
🍽 Serving ideas
These yuzu margaritas are calling out to be served with equally sunny, bright summer dishes.
Serve them alongside Grilled Shrimp Pineapple Skewers, Summer Slaw, Caprese Crostini, and Blueberry Crostini or Strawberry Spoon Cake.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you’ll need:
- Cocktail shaker – You’ll need a standard stainless steel cocktail shaker to make this easy cocktail recipe.
- Strainer – Use a cocktail strainer to strain out the liquid from the shaker into a glass.
- Cocktail jigger – A cocktail jigger helps you measure the ingredients properly.
- Cocktail glass – You can use classic margarita glasses or highball glasses.
More cocktail recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Yuzu Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces anejo tequila
- ¾ ounce triple sec
- ¾ ounce yuzu juice
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake to combine (about 20 to 30 seconds).
- Fine-strain into a glass with fresh ice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
