Grilled fruit margaritas are the perfect summer cocktails

Upgrade summer cocktails with grilled fruit margaritas.

Summer is all about grilling. Why not upgrade that classic margarita cocktail with some grilled fruit margaritas. With the grill already lit for dinner, these fruity margaritas add a smoky quality to the sweetness of the fresh summer fruit. Is your cocktail shaker ready?

A margarita is a simple, classic cocktail. Since it is really only a handful of ingredients, each ingredient needs to serve a purpose. More importantly, those ingredients need to bring the flavor in each and every sip.

While fruit in a margarita is popular, using grilled fruit adds a nuance to the cocktail. Yes, those grill marks really do add flavor. It isn’t just about appearances.

Cointreau has provided three grilled fruit margarita recipes that are perfect for summer. Whether you are grilling some burgers, chicken or even making fajitas, theses grilled fruit margaritas will be quite refreshing.

Plus, why not grill some extra fruit for dessert. Grilled peaches and grilled watermelon are a refreshing summer dessert.

The Grilled Peach Margarita

The Grilled Peach Margarita does take a little planning. Since the peach juice does need to cool, you might want to grill the peaches early in the day. Or, you could make some extra peach juice to keep in the refrigerator.

Here’s how to make the The Grilled Peach Margarita

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Cointreau
• 2  oz Tequila
• 1oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 oz Smoked Peach Juice
• 5 Mint Leaves

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Fine strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish and fine strain over ice into a rocks glass.

Smoked Peach Juice:

Caramelize the sugars by placing halved, pitted peaches on a grill until medium char is reached. Let cool. Peel off skin, blend and strain. Wait until the peach juice has completely cooled off before adding to cocktails.

Roasted Strawberry Margarita

Strawberries are in season and can be quite sweet. By roasting the strawberries, the flavors develop more layers. With the use of the smoky mezcal, the cocktail keeps from being too sweet.

Plus, this margarita is great for people who do not have an outdoor grill. Why not put the oven to use besides baking more bread.

Here’s how to make a Roasted Strawberry Margarita.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Cointreau
• 2 oz Mezcal
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 oz Roasted Strawberry Puree

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and fine strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with lime and roasted strawberry.

Roasted Strawberry Puree:

Remove strawberry topics, broil-char in the oven. Let cool. Place in a blender. Fine strain.

Grilled Watermelon Margarita

Watermelon and summer are a classic pairing. Although watermelon is available year-round, summer barbecues often watermelon in many ways. While many people love a slice of watermelon, grilling it can bring out the sweetness.

In this grilled fruit margarita, the watermelon syrup is full of flavor. You might want to make some extra for other dishes, like your waffles for Sunday brunch.

Also, the Tajin is an important ingredient. That slightly spicy flavor adds to the enjoyment of this cocktail.

Here’s how to make Grilled Watermelon Margarita.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Cointreau
• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• .5  oz Grilled Watermelon Syrup
• .5 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and fine strain over ice into Tajin-salted rocks glass (3:1 Tajin to kosher salt) Garnish with a lime wheel.

Watermelon Syrup:

Cut watermelon into slices and grill until both sides of the watermelon have grill marks. After letting cool, blend simple syrup (1:1) and then fine strain.

These grilled fruit margaritas are just a few options. Why not experiment with other grilled fruits and see what happens. Maybe some charred lemons or even some grilled avocados could make for a tasty cocktail.

What is your favorite summer cocktail? Share what’s in your glass by tagging #FoodSided.