This post is brought to you in partnership with Exotico Tequila and is intended for a 21+ audience.

I get really, really excited about fresh mint. Because this is my life now. So when I stumbled across strawberry mint—actual mint that has a mellow, fruity, strawberry fragrance and flavor profile to it, I knew immediately two things: I must have it in my garden, and I must put it in a super fresh margarita along with some Exotico Tequila Blanco. Also: fresh strawberries. Because ‘tis the season, and there is nothing my chickens love more than motorboating a big ol’ pile of fresh strawberries (while I motorboat a fresh strawberry mint marg).

Exotico Blanco is pretty much the ideal tequila for this marg. Why? Because it has the perfect crisp, clean flavor with herbal undertones and a hint of spice. Let’s mash some strawberries and mint all up in that, shall we?

STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER MARGARITA

Makes 1 serving

• 2 ounces Exotico Tequila Blanco

• 1 ounce orange liqueur

• 1 ounce fresh lime juice

• 1/2 ounce Strawberry-Mint Syrup (instructions below)

  • 1/2 cup organic cane sugar

  • 1/2 cup water

  • 1/2 cup chopped strawberries, stems removed

  • 1/4 cup fresh strawberry mint (or traditional mint) leaves

• 1 fresh strawberry + 3 large strawberry mint leaves for muddling

• 1 fresh strawberry + strawberry mint sprig for garnish

• 1 tablespoon organic cane sugar + 1 tablespoon sea salt + 1 lime wedge for rimming

  To make the Strawberry-Mint Syrup: place strawberries in the bottom of a small saucepan and muddle thoroughly. Add water and sugar, and then bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until sugar is full dissolved. Lower heat, add mint, and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool thoroughly. Strain into an airtight container and store in fridge for up to 2 weeks.

  To make the margarita: start by prepping your glass. Mix sea salt and sugar and place on a small plate. Run lime slice along edge of margarita glass and then dip it in the sugar-salt mixture. Fill glass with crushed ice and set aside.

  In a shaker, add 1 strawberry and mint leaves and muddle briefly. Add ice. Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and syrup, and shake vigorously until chilled. Strain into prepared glass and garnish with strawberry and mint.

Cheers to summer’s freshest ingredients and to great tequila…and maybe also to wearing a hair tie when you have a head full of floofy feathers and you want to demolish a bowl full of prop strawberries during a photoshoot.

This post is brought to you in partnership with Exotico Tequila and is intended for a 21+ audience.