Have you tried a Tamarind Margarita? This delightful twist on the classic margarita features the tangy, fruity flavor of tamarind, making it perfect for spring, summer, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Let me show you how to make this refreshing drink with a spicy Tajin and salt rim!
This sweet and sour Tamarind Margarita is tasty and easy to make. With step-by-step instructions for making this unique cocktail with tamarind paste, tequila, triple sec, and agave syrup, you can now create and enjoy this refreshing tamarind margarita recipe at home!
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With summer fast approaching, there's no better way to get the party started than with a deliciously refreshing tamarind margarita! Another refreshing fruity cocktail you'll love is this Blackberry Bourbon Smash. If you like a sour cocktail with a hint of sweetness, try this Classic Sidecar Cocktail.
Whether you're hosting a big bash for Cinco de Mayo or having dinner at home with loved ones, this tart twist on the classic Margarita will surely be a crowd-pleaser. Serve this Cilantro Lime Rice for an easy side dish or Tepary Bean Salad.
I will give you all the tips for mastering an unforgettable tamarind margarita with Tajin seasoning on the rim that everyone will rave about! Want another tasty recipe with Tajin Seasoning? Try this Southwest Quinoa Bowl.
Inspiration
A few years ago, we visited Costa Rica and enjoyed Tamarind Margaritas or Margaritas de Tamarindo at a fantastic hotel 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 tamarindo margarita recipe, I didn't have tamarind pods or a wet tamarind pulp block. However, I had tamarind paste in the fridge, so I mixed the tamarind paste with water to create tamarind syrup.
I'm not claiming that this recipe is the authentic way to make tamarind syrup or Tamarind Margaritas, but my husband and I enjoyed this sweet and sour margarita with tangy flavors, and I hope you will, too. My husband said, "This is your best margarita yet." And he doesn't say that lightly!
What Is Tamarind?
Tamarind, a tamarind tree fruit, offers a unique flavor. When the tree's fruit pods are ripe, they deliver a blend of sweet and sour. This flavor profile intensifies when they're not yet ripe or dried, adding a distinct tang to dishes.
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 found in hot, tropical areas worldwide and is grown extensively in India and Thailand, where it is a staple ingredient. Its versatility is evident in its widespread use in cooking in several Asian cuisines, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
Despite its origins in Asia and Africa, the tamarind tree has found a home in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in Mexico, where it is the largest producer. Tamarind candies are popular, as is the refreshing agua de tamarindo, a drink made from tamarind water.
From soups and chutneys to juices and carbonated drinks, tamarind adds a unique flavor to various dishes, including the beloved pad Thai. Did you know it's an ingredient in Worcestershire sauce? And, of course, it's the star ingredient in this tamarind margarita recipe!
Substitutions & Variations
- 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 juice - You can use fresh lemon juice instead, or a combination of lime and lemon.
- I do not have a substitute for Tamarind concentrate or Tamarind paste concentrate; this is usually available at the grocery store, online, or at your local Indian, Asian or Latin market. Different brands will vary in strength, sourness, and taste.
- Spice it up - Muddle a few slices of jalapeno with the lime juice and simple syrup before adding the rest of the ingredients to the cocktail shaker.
Ingredients
- Tamarind paste - This tamarind concentrate has a consistency similar to blackstrap molasses and contributes to the brown color of this drink. It is 100% organic tamarind and is concentrated; it is not watery like juice. I used the brand Aunt Patty's. You can find this in Asian markets, in the Asian section of your grocery store, at an Indian market, online, or in a Latin market. It might be labeled tamarind concentrate - be sure to ask if you don't see it. It's shelf-stable in a glass jar. You will dilute this with water in the recipe below.
- Lime & Lime juice - Use fresh lime juice. For the rim of the glass, you'll need half a lime or a lime wedge, followed by a chili salt rim (a mix of chili lime seasoning like Tajin and Himalayan sea salt).
- Tequila - I used Blanco tequila.
- Triple sec - I used Cointreau.
- Simple syrup - I made simple syrup with organic cane sugar which is vegan.
A complete ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
I love a good sweet and sour cocktail, and this one hits all the notes!
- Alison
How to Make This Tamarind Margarita
This recipe for Tamarind Margaritas is easy and fun to make! To give these cocktails a spicy twist, accent them with Tajin Seasoning and a sea salt rim.
Make the Tamarind Syrup
First, I mix the store-bought tamarind puree or concentrate with water to thin it, making tamarind syrup. If you skip this step and use the tamarind puree without diluting it, it will be too sour and pungent, changing the balance of the other ingredients.
- Step 1: Mix the tamarind paste and water in a pot and boil, stirring with a whisk. Immediately turn off the heat, take it off the heat, cover it, and let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Stir the mixture and strain into a bowl, discarding any solids. Let cool to room temperature.
- Step 3: Mix the chili lime seasoning (I used Tajin Clasico Seasoning) with the Himalayan Sea Salt and place it on a small plate.
Make the Tamarind Margarita Cocktail
- Step 1: Prepare two glasses by running the edge of half a lime against the edges. Gently press the edges of the glasses into the salt and tajin mixture, and refrigerate the glasses while you mix the drinks.
- Step 2: Combine the tamarind syrup, Blanco tequila, triple sec, simple syrup, lime juice, and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker.
- Step 3: Shake and pour into the prepared glasses with salted rims. If you're using rock glasses or tumblers, include the ice, and add extra ice as needed. Garnish with a lime slice if desired. Cheers!
Expert Tips
- Make the tamarind syrup 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.
How To Serve This Tamarind Margarita
Serve this cocktail immediately with lots of ice. If you have crushed ice, that works well with this tamarind margarita. I love these tequila cocktail glasses for this tart and refreshing drink.
Serve it with tortilla chips, 4-Ingredient Guacamole and Mango Habanero Salsa.
How To Use Tamarind Paste
If you have leftover tamarind paste, here are a few suggestions on how to use it:
- Use tamarind when making dal, the traditional Indian dish made of lentils.
- Blend tamarind paste with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, or tamari to make a tangy salad dressing.
- Mix tamarind sauce with barbeque sauce and try it on a lentil and black bean burger or in tacos, or make a marinade for tofu, mushrooms, or soy curls for added flavor.
- Use tamarind to make a veggie stir-fry sauce.
- Make a classic tamarind chutney and use it as a dip or sauce.
- Try making vegan Pad Thai with tamarind in the sauce.
I hope you give these Tamarindo Margaritas a try. They're perfect for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday, or anytime you want to try something a little different!
Recipe FAQs
The vibrant tang of this cocktail makes it an ideal match for Mexican cuisine's bold and zesty flavors, like a plate of vegan tacos al pastor or vegan ceviche. This tamarind margarita also complements Thai or Indian cuisine.
This unique cocktail consists of tamarind syrup made from tamarind paste and water, tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and agave syrup.
This Tamarind Margarita balances sweet and sour with spice from the Tajin rim around the edge of the glass. It's tangy thanks to the tamarind with a hint of citrus.
Related Recipes
If you try this recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Tamarind Margarita Recipe with Spicy Rim
INGREDIENTS
For the Tamarind Syrup
- 2 oz tamarind paste also called tamarind concentrate
- 1 ¾ cup water
For the Tamarind Margarita
- 1 teaspoon Tajin Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt or salt of choice
- 1 lime halved
- 4 oz Tamarind Syrup (see above) not tamarind concentrate
- 4 oz Blanco tequila
- 2 oz simple syrup or sugar cane syrup
- 2 oz lime juice
- 1 ½ oz triple sec I like to use Cointreau
- 1 cup Ice
INSTRUCTIONS
Make the Tamarind Syrup
- Combine the tamarind paste and water in a pot and bring to a boil, stirring with a whisk. Immediately turn off heat, cover, and let sit for 30 minutes on the counterl.2 oz tamarind paste, 1 ¾ cup water
- Stir and strain the mixture into a bowl, discarding any solids. Let cool to room temperature.
Make the Tamarind Margarita
- Mix Tajin Seasoning with the salt and place on a small flat 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.1 teaspoon Tajin Seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 lime
- Combine the tamarind syrup, Blanco tequila, simple syrup, lime juice, triple sec, and ice in a cocktail shaker.1 lime, 4 oz Tamarind Syrup (see above), 4 oz Blanco tequila, 2 oz simple syrup, 1 ½ oz triple sec, 1 cup Ice, 2 oz lime juice
- Shake and pour into coupe glasses with salted rims. If using margarita glasses or tumblers, pour the entire contents of the shaker in the glasses and add ice if needed. Serve.
NOTES
- Make the tamarind syrup far enough ahead of time so that it has time to cool before you need it. Do not use tamarind concentrate directly in the cocktail, it will be too sour and strong.
- You can use sea salt to rim the cocktail glass, but I highly recommend combining chili lime seasoning and salt. It takes it to the next level!
- Try a quality orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier instead of triple sec.
- To spice it up, muddle a few slices of jalapeno with the lime juice and simple syrup before adding the rest of the ingredients to the cocktail shaker.
NUTRITION
Resplendent Kitchen offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site as a courtesy. Although resplendentkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information from online calculators, these figures are estimates.
Eve says
Just came back from Mexico and discovered this drink from my local friends.
Needed to try it out at home and your recipe hits it very well!
Emily Miller says
Thanks so much for your review, Eve. I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed it! Cheers!
Alison says
I love a good sweet and sour cocktail and this one hits all the notes!
Emily says
Thank you for the review, Alison! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed this cocktail recipe!
Catherine says
This is so exotic and delicious. A perfect cocktail for the warm weather and so elegant too!
Emily says
Thank you so much for your review, Catherine!
Kris says
This was so unique and delicious! Will definitely make again. Thank you!
Emily says
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Kris! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to review the recipe.
Julia says
This was a welcome drink at the end of a hot summer's day. It looked so elegant too. I've only ever used tamarind in curries before so this was quite different. Thank you.
Emily says
Hi Julia, Thank you for your review and feedback. We're glad to hear that the drink was a welcome refreshment on this hot summer day! The tamarind is one of my favorite flavors for a margarita - I'm so glad you enjoyed this creative cocktail!
Joshua says
Tamarind margaritas?? Count me in! This was a great recipe and a creative way to use tamarind.
Emily says
Thank you for your review Joshua! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe and found it creative. We love to share new recipes with our readers so we're happy that this one worked out well.
Daniela says
I was intrigued by the Tamarind but oh my, this might be my new favorite margarita flavor! So good!
Emily says
Thanks for the review, Daniela! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed my Tamarind Margarita. It's one of my favorite margaritas!
Anaiah says
Wow! I never tried tamarind this way before. In my culture, we use tamarind to give a nice tart flavor in our soups and that's the only way I've had it. This was new to me and so great to try!
Emily says
Thank you, Anaiah, for your review of my tamarind margarita. I'm glad to hear that it was a new experience and you enjoyed the flavor!
Lucy says
I've never tried making my own margaritas before but I will be regularly now. Your recipe is so flavoursome and your instructions are so clear and easy to follow. Thank you for sharing.
Emily says
Thank you for the five star rating, Lucy! I'm so happy to hear that you were able to make a delicious margarita with my recipe and instructions. Cheers!
Kayla says
This tamarind margarita was so delicious! I just bought some tamarind to make pad thai so I gave this a try too! So good!
Emily says
Thanks for your review of my tamarind margarita, Kayla. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! This is one of my favorite drinks too and I'm happy to hear that you're interested in cooking with tamarind as well!
Marinela says
These tamarind margaritas are so enjoyable! The most perfect homemade drink with a delicately sweet and sour flavor. It's super refreshing and tastes like summer! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Emily!
Emily says
Thank you for your review, Marinela! I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the tamarind margaritas. This recipe is one of my favorites; it's a great drink on a hot day and perfect for summer!