Ingredients
- Lime wheel and sugar for rim
- 1 ounce tequila
- 1 ounce banana liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce agave
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare the glass, rub the rim of a margarita, rocks, or poco grande glass with the lime wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, banana liqueur, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the prepared over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Banana Margarita Variations
There's more than one way to eat a banana, so it makes sense there's more than one way to shake a banana margarita.
- Experiment using more banana liqueur than tequila for a more robust banana flavor.
- A gold tequila would offer a sweeter, more caramel flavor that will complement the banana.
- Omit the agave if the drink is too sweet for your liking. However, add a little extra agave if you want yours to be sweeter.
- Use a banana simple syrup in place of agave or even a banana-infused tequila.
Garnishes for the Bananarita
You can follow the suggestion above or opt for one of these garnish ideas to complete your drink.
- If the sweetness is too much, skip the sugar rim and use only the lime wheel.
- Pierce a thick banana slice, peeled or unpeeled, on a cocktail skewer.
- Layer citrus garnishes together, such as a lime wheel with a lemon slice or an orange wheel with a lime wedge.
Crafting a Banana Margarita
If you don't want to use banana liqueur or don't have any on hand, there are two easy ways to add that distinct banana flavor to create this one-of-a-kind riff on the classic and wonderful margarita.
To quickly make a banana simple syrup, add a half cup of sugar, two whole sliced and peeled bananas, and a quarter cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring the ingredients to a gentle simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar and beginning to mash the banana. On low heat, allow the ingredients to heat for approximately eight minutes, never allowing it to boil. After eight minutes, remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely before straining out the banana. Store in a resealable container in a refrigerator for up to two weeks.
An alternative is to infuse your own banana tequila. While the process is simple, it does take a few days. However, you'll have a good-sized batch of banana tequila to keep on hand. In a resealable glass jar, add four ripe bananas that you have peeled and sliced into thick pieces. Top off with 750 milliliters of silver tequila, seal the jar tightly, and give a firm shake. Allow the flavors to infuse for approximately four days in a cool, dry place, taking care to swirl the jar each day. Prior to use, be sure to strain out any and all pieces of banana using a cheesecloth or another fine strainer. You can keep the banana tequila on hand for up to two years.
A Modern Margarita
With a wide world of margarita flavors, it can be a surprise to stumble across one that's actually new and inventive, such is the banana margarita. Surprise your friends and Instagram grid with a margarita they've yet to discover.
