It's almost Cinco de Mayo, which means it's time for some delicious Mexican-inspired cocktails! This year, why not try a tamarind margarita recipe? The tart, fruity flavor of the tamarind is perfect for spring and summertime drinks. I'll show you how to make one yourself!

This sweet and sour Tamarind Margarita is tasty and easy to make. I give you step-by-step instructions for making this unique cocktail with tamarind paste, tequila, triple sec, and maple syrup. You can now create and enjoy this refreshing tamarind margarita recipe at home!

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What is tamarind?
Ingredients
How to make a Tamarind Margarita
Equipment
Substitutions
Tips
More cocktail recipes
Tamarind Margarita Recipe

A few years ago, we visited Costa Rica and enjoyed Tamarind Margaritas or Margaritas de Tamarindo at a fantastic hotel we were staying at with an ocean view. We watched the bartender make this cocktail with fresh tamarind juice and a plain salt rim.

When I thought about recreating this recipe, I didn't have tamarind pods or a wet tamarind pulp block on hand. However, I recently had tamarind paste in the fridge since I recently made a vegan pad thai recipe. So I created tamarind syrup or "juice" by mixing the tamarind paste with water.

I'm not claiming that this recipe is the authentic way to make tamarind juice or Tamarind Margaritas, but my husband and I enjoyed this sweet and sour margarita, and I know you will too. My husband said, "This is your best margarita yet." And he doesn't say that lightly!

If you are looking for more refreshing cocktails to try, take a look at this Blood Orange Margarita, Blood Orange French 75, Strawberry Elderflower Gin Fizz, or Strawberry Lemon Gin Granita, which doubles as a dessert. If you like sour with a hint of sweet, have you tried this Classic Sidecar Cocktail?

What is tamarind?

Tamarind is a fruit from the tamarind tree and can be used in soups, chutneys, juices, or carbonated drinks to create flavorful dishes such as pad thai.

The texture of this date-like dark brown fruit ranges depending on whether it's crushed for paste or diluted concentrate. The fruit is contained within seed pods and can be extracted from the pods or purchased in chunks. Tamarind is a staple in Mexico, the Caribbean, Thailand, and Indian cuisine.

Ingredients

Tamarind paste - This has a consistency similar to blackstrap molasses.
Tequila - I used Blanco tequila.
Triple sec - I used Cointreau.
Agave syrup - Although I haven't tried it, organic sugar cane syrup would be a great choice (especially when in Costa Rica). Let me know if you do!
You'll need half a lime or a lime wedge to rim the glasses, followed by a chili salt rim (a mix of chili lime seasoning and Himalayan sea salt).

How to make a Tamarind Margarita

This recipe for Tamarind Margaritas is easy to make and fun! It's a different take on the margarita, and the unique ingredients will have your tastebuds dancing in delight! Accent these cocktails with a Tajin Seasoning and sea salt rim to give them an exciting twist.

It's easy to put this cocktail together once you have the tamarind juice made.

Make the Tamarind Juice

Mix the tamarind paste and water in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk. Immediately turn off the heat, take it off the heat, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes.

Stir the mixture and strain into a bowl, discarding any solids. Let cool to room temperature.

Make the Tamarindo Margarita

Mix the chili lime seasoning (I used Tajin Clasico Seasoning) with the Himalayan Sea Salt and place it on a small plate.

Prepare two coupe glasses by running the edge of half a lime against the edges. Gently press the edges of the glasses into the salt mixture, and refrigerate the glasses while you mix the drinks

Combine the tamarind juice, Blanco tequila, triple sec, agave syrup, and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker.

6. Shake and pour into the prepared glasses with salted rims. Cheers!

Sideview of 2 margarita cocktails with tamarind juice

Equipment

small saucepan
whisk
coupe glasses, martini glasses, or margarita glasses
chef's knife
cutting board
cocktail shaker

I chose coupe glasses for this tamarind margarita without ice to keep an elegant feel. However, I would have preferred a traditional margarita glass if this were a blended frozen fruit margarita.

In an informal setting, feel free to serve the margaritas any way you like, such as on ice in an old-fashioned glass or lowball glass, typically a short glass used to serve whisky or cocktails containing whisky.

Substitutions

Agave syrup - You can use maple syrup or simple syrup. Organic sugar cane syrup would be a great choice (especially when in Costa Rica), although I haven't tried it. Let me know if you do!
Lime - You can use fresh lemon instead.

Tips

Make the tamarind juice far enough ahead of time so that it has time to cool before you need it.

You can use sea salt to rim the cocktail glass, but I highly recommend combining chili lime seasoning and sea salt. It takes it to the next level!

Try a quality orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier instead of triple sec. Quality makes all the difference!

Pour shot from cocktail shaker into coupe glass lined with sea salt & chili lime salt

More cocktail recipes

For another recipe with Tajin Seasoning, try my Southwest Quinoa Bowl.

I hope you give these Tamarindo Margaritas a try. They're perfect for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, or anytime!

If you make this Tamarind Margarita recipe, please take a moment to ★★★★★ star rate it and leave a comment below.

You can follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me! Tag me @resplendentkitchen and hashtag #resplendentkitchenrecipes.

Tamarind Margarita Recipe