Easy Strawberry Margarita

Johnny Swet, beverage director, The Skylark, New York City
Strawberry and cilantro add a garden-fresh twist to this margarita variation. You can use a commercial strawberry purée, like Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, or take advantage of the season and make it yourself. Depending on your tastes and the ripeness of your strawberries, you may want to purée them with a little sugar.
Bitters added on top of the drink create a dramatic ombré effect, says Johnny Swet, beverage director at The Skylark in New York City. “Not only does it add a splash of color, it provides a nice spice to balance out the sweet strawberries,” he says.
The Lolita Cocktail
- 2 ounces strawberry purée
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- 2 ounces silver Tequila, preferably Sauza Silver
- ¾ ounce agave nectar
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 cilantro sprig, for garnish
- 1 strawberry, for garnish
In cocktail shaker, combine strawberry purée and cinnamon. Add Tequila, agave nectar, lime juice and ice. Shake well, then strain into Collins glass over fresh ice. Dash bitters atop drink. Garnish with cilantro sprig and strawberry.