"Beet" the heat with a frozen virgin margarita! A delicious twist on a classic cocktail, this Beet, Blood Orange, and Lime Slushy Virgin Margarita is alcohol-free and filled with healthy fresh juices. Grab your blender and round up your kiddos because this delightful drink is completely family friendly.
This Beeta-Rita (yup- I never waste an opportunity to create a pun) is the perfect summer-time treat. Refreshingly delicious blood-orange juice, sweet earthy beets, and a KAPOW punch of lime equals the perfect sweet and tart combo for a frozen/slushy drink on a hot day. Add salt or a salt/sugar combo rim, and this frozen Beet, Blood Orange, and Lime Virgin Margarita will be un"beet"able at your summer barbecues, picnics, backyard activities, and afternoons by the pool.
You know what else is fantastically jazzy about this alcohol-free drink? It's healthy!!! Ready-made store bought margarita mixes often contain corn syrup or gobs of sugar. This virgin margarita offers the traditional citrus flavor with yummy beet juice and less artificial flavors and sugars.
If you've been searching for ways to add more veggies and fruits, such as beets, to your diet, this is the perfect way! Beets are super nutritious as are blood-oranges; therefore, this drink is full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins; your body will shimmy with glee! Because of the extra fresh lime juice, this recipe is more on the tart side, so add more orange juice, honey or other sweetener for your preferred palette. If using maple syrup, look for Grade A or B maple syrup as it contains more fabulous minerals and less artificial sweeteners and preservatives than some other maple syrups. Additionally, fresh is best. If possible use fresh juice for these margaritas. If you don't have a juicer, stop by your local grocery store. Many stores offer fresh squeezed beet and orange juice or companies, like Love Beets, sells fresh beet juice by the bottle.
Are you a fan of mason jars? Mason jars are super versatile and convenient. Served and stored in mason jars, these slushy-type virgin margaritas can be made in advance for easy prep. Serve right away or freeze virgin margaritas in individual jars for an easy peasie go-to summer drink later in the week. Plus - when removed from the freezer, the "frozen" jars keep the ingredients cold and slushy.
Just remember to rim your glass with salt or sugar IMMEDIATELY after removing from the freezer. Yup. It's the perfect (and only) time to invert the glasses; otherwise, you will be slurping margaritas off your floor and counters!
Looking for more yummy mocktails? Try Beet, Citrus, and Ginger Sangria Mocktail.
BEET, BLOOD ORANGE, AND LIME SLUSHY VIRGIN MARGARITA RECIPE
INGREDIENTS (serves 3-4 depending on jar size)
1 cup fresh beet juice
2 cups fresh blood-orange (or regular orange) juice
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
2-3 tbsp honey or maple syrup*
4 cups ice cubes
Orange and lime slices/wedges to garnish
Coarse margarita salt and/or sugar for rim (optional)
WHAT YOU NEED
Pint-size mason jars (or half pint is preferred)
Mason Jar lids
Shallow plate for salt/sugar
Straws (optional)
*This delightful Beet, Blood Orange, and Lime Virgin Margarita is designed to be less sweet than many other traditional margaritas. It's a sweet/tart combo, so if you prefer a sweeter taste, then make adjustments to suit your preferences.
Additionally, for the beet fans out there, adding a tablespoon or two of Beet Simple Syrup makes this drink extra Beetastic! Because beets are naturally sweet, Beet Simple Syrup requires less sugar and is a healthier option than traditional simple syrup. Plus - you get that awesome beet flavor!
DIRECTIONS
To drink right away
1. Add all ingredients into the blender. Puree ingredients or pulse for thicker ice chunks in your frozen margaritas.
2. Salt/sugar glass rims by sliding a lime wedge around the rim and then dipping the sticky and wet glass rim in the salt on a shallow plate.
3. Fill glasses with the blended ingredients and garnish with lime and orange slices. Enjoy!
To drink later
1. Pour blended ingredients into individual half pint or pint jars. Cover each jar with secure mason jar lids.
2. Place jars in freezer for when you are ready to serve them. They usually last a week or two.
3. Remove margaritas from the freezer when ready to drink and immediately dip them in the salt and/or sugar. The margaritas must be frozen solid in order to dip rims in salt as glasses are inverted.
4. When first removed from the freezer, the ingredients will appear frozen solid as there is no alcohol (which doesn't freeze) in the recipe. Let jars sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Then gently stir. The slushy texture will appear. Enjoy!
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