Celebrate Pride Month–or any other occasion that calls for rainbows–with these vibrant, tropical-flavored frozen margaritas! This four-layer fruity cocktail uses only natural ingredients and colors, including a quick infusion made with dried butterfly pea flowers that makes for a dramatic pop of blue. This rainbow margarita is bright and citrusy, with dominant flavors of strawberry and pineapple. Feel free to use fresh or frozen fruit in these pretty margs.
Frozen Rainbow Margaritas
Celebrate Pride Month–or any other occasion that calls for rainbows–with these vibrant, tropical-flavored frozen margaritas! This four-layer fruity cocktail uses only natural ingredients and colors, including a quick infusion made with dried butterfly pea flowers that makes for a dramatic pop of blue. This rainbow margarita is bright and citrusy, with dominant flavors of strawberry and pineapple. Feel free to use fresh or frozen fruit in these pretty margs.
Ingredients
Butterfly Pea Flower-Infused Tequila
- ½ cup tequila
- ¼ cup dried butterfly pea flowers
Green Layer
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- ½ cup chopped avocado
- 1 cup crushed ice
Yellow Layer
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- ½ cup pineapple chunks
- 1 cup crushed ice
Red Layer
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 2 ounces lime juice
- ½ cup chopped strawberries
- 1 cup crushed ice
Blue Layer
- 1 ½ ounces butterfly pea flower-infused tequila
- 1 ounce agave syrup
- 1 cup crushed ice
- Lime slices for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare butterfly pea flower-infused tequila: Combine 1/2 cup tequila and dried butterfly pea flowers in a lidded jar; cover tightly and shake to combine. Let steep at room temperature until the color turns a deep blue, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve; discard the flowers and reserve the tequila. (You’ll have more blue tequila than you need for these cocktails; refrigerate any extra for up to 1 week.)
- To prepare green layer: Add 1 1/2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce agave, avocado and 1 cup ice to a blender. Blend on high until smooth. Divide between four highball glasses (see Tip).
- Quickly rinse the blender and make the yellow layer: Add 1 1/2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce agave, pineapple and 1 cup ice to the blender. Blend on high until smooth. Divide between the glasses.
- Quickly rinse the blender and make the red layer: Add 1 1/2 ounces tequila, 2 ounces lime juice, strawberries and 1 cup ice to the blender. Blend on high until smooth. Divide between the glasses.
- Quickly rinse the blender and make the blue layer: Add 1 1/2 ounces of the reserved blue tequila, agave and ice to the blender. Blend on high until smooth. Divide between the glasses.
- Garnish each drink with a lime slice, if desired, and serve with straws.
Notes
To make ahead: Refrigerate butterfly pea flower-infused tequila (Step 1) for up to 1 week.
Tips: Dried butterfly pea flowers (aka butterfly pea tea) is an herbal tea from Southeast Asia that changes from blue to purple when mixed with an acidic ingredient (like the lime juice in this margarita recipe). You can buy it in bulk or in teabags online.
If you’re not a fan of avocado, you can substitute honeydew melon or kiwifruit for the green layer. Simply replace the 1/2 avocado with a 1/2 cup of either honeydew or kiwi.
For the best-looking layers, and to keep things from getting too melty while you’re blending, you can pour each layer into a mason jar or other container and store it in the freezer while you blend the next layer. When all of the blending is done, remove the jars from the freezer and pour the layers into the serving glasses.
