The Moody Margarita: A Blackberry Don Julio Margarita Made for After Dark

Some margaritas arrive looking cheerful.

This is not one of them.

The Moody Margarita is dark, juicy and dramatic, made with Don Julio Blanco Tequila, fresh blackberries, lime and a touch of agave. The blackberries give the drink its deep jewel-toned color while keeping it bright and fresh enough to still feel unmistakably like a margarita.

Think less poolside afternoon. More dim lights, tacos on the table and one more round.

The Moody Margarita

Ingredients

• 2 oz Don Julio Blanco Tequila
• 5–6 fresh blackberries, plus extra for garnish
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• ¾ oz orange liqueur
• ½ oz agave nectar, or to taste
• Ice
• Lime wheel or wedge, for garnish
• Fresh blackberries, for garnish

Optional Rim

• Black salt, coarse sea salt or Tajín
• Lime wedge

How to Make It

1. Muddle the blackberries.
   Add the fresh blackberries and agave nectar to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle until the berries release their juice.
2. Add the margarita ingredients.
   Pour in the Don Julio Blanco, fresh lime juice and orange liqueur.
3. Shake it like you mean it.
   Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until very cold.
4. Prepare the glass.
   If you’re adding a rim, run a lime wedge around the edge of your glass and dip it into black salt, sea salt or Tajín.
   Fill the glass with fresh ice.
5. Pour.
   Double-strain the cocktail over the ice for a smoother margarita, or leave some of the blackberry texture if you like things a little more rustic.
6. Make it moody.
   Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lime wheel.
   Then turn down the lights.
   Obviously.

Why Don Julio Blanco Works Here

A blackberry margarita can get sweet quickly, so a clean tequila is important.

Don Julio Blanco keeps the drink crisp and tequila-forward while letting the blackberries and fresh lime do their thing. The agave softens the tartness without turning the cocktail into dessert, while orange liqueur brings the familiar citrus note that makes the drink unmistakably margarita.

The result is fruity.

Not fruit-punch fruity.

There is a difference.

Make It Even Moodier

Want that almost-black color from the photo?

Use very ripe blackberries and muddle them thoroughly before shaking. You can also add an extra berry or two for a deeper purple color.

Serve it in a dramatic coupe or margarita glass over crushed ice and pile a few blackberries on top.

Because occasionally the cocktail should make an entrance.

What to Eat With It

The Moody Margarita plays especially well with:

• Carne asada tacos
• Spicy shrimp tacos
• Blackened fish tacos
• Birria
• Pork carnitas
• Anything involving jalapeños

The tart blackberry and lime can stand up to rich meats, while the fruit is especially good against heat.

In other words:

Make tacos.

Make this.

Tuesday handled.

A Margarita for Your Moody Era

Not every Taco Tuesday needs sunshine and frozen drinks.

Sometimes the mood calls for blackberries, tequila and a cocktail that looks like it knows something you don’t.

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