Strawberries and Cream Margarita Recipe

If you love creamy tropical cocktails, fruity margaritas, and anything made with fresh strawberries, this Strawberries and Cream Margarita is about to become one of your new favorite drinks. This gorgeous pink margarita combines juicy strawberry flavor with smooth tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, sweet strawberry syrup, and rich cream of coconut. Everything gets shaken together with plenty of ice before being poured into a cocktail glass rimmed with vanilla frosting and coconut flakes. The result is a creamy strawberry margarita that tastes almost like a tropical strawberry dessert in cocktail form.

What makes this strawberries and cream margarita recipe especially fun is the combination of flavors and textures. You get the traditional citrus and tequila flavors you expect from a margarita, but the strawberry purée and cream of coconut transform it into something much richer, sweeter, and creamier. The coconut-flake rim adds another tropical element, while the vanilla frosting helps the coconut stick to the glass and adds just a touch of dessert-like sweetness with every sip.

This is the perfect cocktail to make when you want something a little different from a classic margarita. Serve it for a girls’ night, summer party, pool day, brunch, birthday celebration, Cinco de Mayo party, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or anytime you’re craving a creamy strawberry cocktail. And despite how impressive it looks, it’s incredibly simple to make at home.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberries and Cream Margarita

There are so many reasons to love this creamy strawberry margarita. First, it uses simple ingredients while still looking like something you would order from a fun cocktail bar or vacation resort. Fresh strawberries and strawberry purée give the margarita its beautiful color and fresh berry flavor, while strawberry syrup intensifies the sweetness and makes the strawberry flavor really stand out.

Cream of coconut is what gives this cocktail its signature “strawberries and cream” quality. It adds richness, sweetness, and coconut flavor without completely overpowering the tequila and lime. Orange liqueur brings in that classic margarita flavor, while freshly squeezed lime juice provides enough acidity to balance all of the sweeter ingredients.

And then there is that rim! Instead of the traditional salt or sugar rim, this strawberries and cream margarita is finished with vanilla frosting and fresh coconut flakes. It makes the drink look beautiful while giving every sip a creamy, coconutty finish.

Strawberries and Cream Margarita Ingredients

Makes 1 cocktail

2 oz tequila
1 oz orange liqueur, such as triple sec or Cointreau
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
1 ½ oz strawberry purée
½ oz strawberry syrup
1 oz cream of coconut
2–3 fresh strawberries, plus additional strawberries for garnish
Ice
2 tablespoons vanilla frosting, for the rim
¼ cup coconut flakes, plus additional coconut flakes for garnish

Tequila

A blanco or silver tequila works particularly well in this recipe because its bright, crisp flavor pairs beautifully with strawberries, coconut, and lime. You can certainly use your favorite tequila, though, so feel free to customize the cocktail based on what you already have at home.

Strawberry Purée

Strawberry purée gives this margarita its fresh fruit flavor and gorgeous pink color. You can use prepared strawberry purée or quickly make your own by blending fresh strawberries until smooth. If your strawberries aren’t particularly sweet, you can add a small amount of sugar or simple syrup when blending them.

Strawberry Syrup

While strawberry purée gives the drink fresh fruit flavor, strawberry syrup makes that flavor even more concentrated. Using both is one of my favorite ways to create a cocktail that actually tastes like strawberries rather than simply having a hint of berry flavor.

Cream of Coconut

Be sure to use cream of coconut, which is sweet and creamy, rather than unsweetened coconut cream. Cream of coconut is commonly used in tropical cocktails and is responsible for the rich, creamy consistency of this margarita.

How to Make a Strawberries and Cream Margarita

Start by preparing your cocktail glass. Spread the vanilla frosting onto a small plate or shallow dish. Place the coconut flakes onto a second plate. Dip the rim of your cocktail glass into the vanilla frosting, gently rotating the glass until the entire rim has a thin coating.

Next, dip the frosted rim into the coconut flakes. Gently press and rotate the glass so the coconut sticks to the frosting. Set your prepared glass aside while you make the margarita.

Add the tequila, orange liqueur, freshly squeezed lime juice, strawberry purée, strawberry syrup, cream of coconut, and fresh strawberries to a cocktail shaker.

Fill the shaker generously with ice. Secure the lid and shake everything really well. You want the strawberries to break down while the cream of coconut combines with the remaining ingredients. Shake until the cocktail is thoroughly chilled and creamy.

Instead of straining the drink, pour the entire contents of the cocktail shaker, including the ice, directly into your prepared cocktail glass.

Add a little more fresh ice to fill the glass if needed.

Finish your strawberries and cream margarita with fresh strawberries and a sprinkle of fresh coconut flakes over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to Make Fresh Strawberry Purée

Homemade strawberry purée is incredibly easy to make and is a great option when strawberries are in season. Remove the stems from fresh strawberries and add them to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth.

For an extra-smooth cocktail, you can pour the purée through a fine-mesh strainer to remove some of the seeds, although this is completely optional. I actually like leaving the purée slightly rustic because it gives the margarita more fresh strawberry flavor and texture.

If your strawberries are very ripe and sweet, you probably won’t need to add anything else. If they’re slightly tart, blend in a little simple syrup or sugar.

The Vanilla Frosting Coconut Rim

The vanilla frosting and coconut rim might be my favorite part of this entire strawberries and cream margarita recipe. Traditional margaritas are usually served with salt or sometimes sugar around the rim, but this cocktail is meant to feel more like a creamy tropical dessert.

Vanilla frosting works perfectly because it gives the coconut flakes something substantial to stick to. You only need a thin layer—too much frosting can become overly sweet and messy.

Once you’ve dipped the rim into the coconut, gently press any loose coconut flakes into place. The finished glass immediately makes this homemade margarita look extra special.

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?

Absolutely. Frozen strawberries work wonderfully in a strawberries and cream margarita, especially when fresh strawberries aren’t in season.

Let them thaw slightly before adding them to your cocktail shaker so they’re easier to break down. You can also use frozen strawberries to make your strawberry purée.

Fresh strawberries are still beautiful for garnishing the finished cocktail, so I recommend using fresh berries for the garnish whenever possible.

Can I Make This a Frozen Strawberries and Cream Margarita?

Yes! This recipe can easily be turned into a frozen strawberries and cream margarita.

Instead of shaking the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, strawberry purée, strawberry syrup, cream of coconut, strawberries, and approximately 1 to 1½ cups of ice to a high-powered blender.

Blend until thick, creamy, and smooth. Add additional ice if you prefer a thicker frozen margarita.

Prepare the vanilla frosting and coconut rim exactly as directed and pour the frozen strawberry margarita into the prepared glass.

Tips for the Best Creamy Strawberry Margarita

Use freshly squeezed lime juice whenever possible. Bottled lime juice can work in a pinch, but fresh lime gives margaritas a brighter flavor that helps cut through the sweetness of the strawberry and coconut.

Give your cream of coconut a good stir before measuring it. Cream of coconut can separate in the container, so mixing it first ensures you’re getting the right balance of coconut cream and sweetness.

Don’t be afraid to shake this cocktail longer than you would a traditional margarita. Because you’re combining fresh fruit and cream of coconut, a vigorous shake helps everything come together into a smooth, creamy drink.

And finally, adjust the strawberry syrup to your taste. If your strawberries and strawberry purée are already very sweet, you may want slightly less syrup. If your berries are tart, adding a little extra syrup can help balance the drink.

When to Serve a Strawberries and Cream Margarita

This cocktail is especially perfect for spring and summer because of its fresh strawberry flavor and tropical coconut finish. It would be beautiful served at a pool party, backyard barbecue, bridal shower, girls’ night, brunch, or summer dinner party.

The pretty pink color also makes it a fun cocktail for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, bachelorette parties, and other celebrations.

You could even create a strawberry-themed cocktail bar and set out extra strawberries, coconut flakes, lime wedges, and different margarita garnishes so everyone can customize their drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a strawberries and cream margarita?

A strawberries and cream margarita is a creamy variation of a traditional strawberry margarita. It combines tequila and orange liqueur with fresh lime juice and strawberry flavor, then adds cream of coconut to give the cocktail a rich, smooth, almost dessert-like consistency.

What makes this margarita creamy?

The cream of coconut is responsible for most of the creamy texture. It blends beautifully with the strawberry purée and creates a silky cocktail without needing heavy cream or dairy.

Is cream of coconut the same as coconut cream?

No. Cream of coconut and coconut cream are not the same ingredient. Cream of coconut is sweetened and specifically designed for drinks and desserts, while coconut cream is generally unsweetened. For this strawberries and cream margarita, you’ll want sweetened cream of coconut.

What tequila is best for a strawberry margarita?

Blanco tequila is an excellent choice because its fresh agave flavor works well with strawberries, citrus, and coconut. However, you can use whichever tequila you enjoy drinking.

Can I use triple sec instead of Cointreau?

Yes. Triple sec, Cointreau, or another orange liqueur can be used in this recipe. Cointreau tends to have a richer and more pronounced orange flavor, while standard triple sec is often a more budget-friendly choice.

Can I make this margarita without strawberry syrup?

Yes. If your strawberry purée is naturally sweet, you can leave out the strawberry syrup. However, using both purée and syrup creates a stronger strawberry flavor, which is why I like combining them in this recipe.

Can I make strawberry purée ahead of time?

Yes. Homemade strawberry purée can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated in an airtight container. This is particularly helpful if you’re making several margaritas for a party.

Do I strain this margarita?

No. For this recipe, once everything is shaken together, pour all of the contents from the cocktail shaker directly into the prepared glass, including the ice. Add additional fresh ice afterward if necessary.

Can I make this strawberries and cream margarita less sweet?

Definitely. Reduce the strawberry syrup slightly and use a little less cream of coconut. You can also add a little extra fresh lime juice for more acidity.

Can I make it sweeter?

Yes. Add a little additional strawberry syrup or cream of coconut. It’s always easier to start with less sweetness and add more after tasting.

Can I make a pitcher of strawberries and cream margaritas?

Yes! This recipe can easily be multiplied for a small party. Combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, strawberry purée, strawberry syrup, and cream of coconut in a pitcher and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.

Wait to add ice until serving so the margaritas don’t become diluted. Prepare each glass with the vanilla frosting and coconut rim, fill with ice, and pour in the chilled margarita mixture.

What can I use to garnish a strawberry margarita?

Fresh strawberries are the perfect garnish for this cocktail. You can use whole strawberries, sliced strawberries, or strawberry halves. Fresh coconut flakes also look beautiful sprinkled over the finished drink. A lime wheel or lime wedge would be another easy addition.

Can I make this margarita dairy-free?

Yes. This recipe is naturally easy to make without dairy because the creamy component comes from cream of coconut. Just check the ingredients on your vanilla frosting to make sure the particular brand you’re using meets your dietary needs.

Why use strawberry purée and strawberry syrup?

They serve slightly different purposes. Strawberry purée provides fresh berry flavor, color, and texture, while strawberry syrup provides concentrated sweetness and strawberry flavor. Combining the two creates a much more noticeable strawberry taste.

Can I use a different rim?

Of course. If you don’t want to use vanilla frosting and coconut, you can rim the glass with sugar, strawberry sugar, toasted coconut, or even a traditional margarita salt rim. However, the frosting and coconut combination really complements the strawberries-and-cream theme.

What glass should I use?

A margarita glass works beautifully, but this drink can also be served in a rocks glass, stemless cocktail glass, or any fun cocktail glass you have available. Since the frosting and coconut rim is such an important part of the presentation, choose a glass with enough rim space to show it off.

What does a strawberries and cream margarita taste like?

This margarita is fruity, creamy, sweet, citrusy, and slightly tropical. You get juicy strawberry flavor first, followed by coconut and vanilla notes from the cream of coconut and decorated rim. Lime and orange liqueur provide enough citrus to keep the cocktail from tasting overly heavy, while tequila reminds you that underneath all that creamy strawberry goodness, this is still a margarita.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a fun twist on a classic strawberry margarita, this Strawberries and Cream Margarita recipe is an easy cocktail that looks just as incredible as it tastes. Fresh strawberries, strawberry purée, tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, strawberry syrup, and cream of coconut come together to create a beautifully creamy pink cocktail with the perfect balance of fruity, tropical, sweet, and citrus flavors.

The vanilla frosting and coconut-flake rim takes the presentation to another level and makes this drink feel like a special occasion cocktail even though it’s incredibly simple to prepare. Pour everything from the shaker right into your decorated glass, top it with extra ice, garnish with fresh strawberries and coconut flakes, and you’ve got a gorgeous creamy strawberry margarita that’s ready for summer sipping.

Whether you’re serving it poolside, making cocktails for a girls’ night, planning a summer party, or simply looking for a new strawberry tequila cocktail to try at home, this strawberries and cream margarita is one you’ll want to make again and again.