Bright, deliciously minty, and a perfect balance of sweet and tart, this Strawberry Lemonade and Tequila Smash might just be my new favorite cocktail. Made with just five ingredients in five minutes, this is an easy tequila cocktail everyone needs this summer. 

closeup of strawberry lemonade and tequila smash in a clear etched rocks glass with a sugar rim and garnished with a spring of fresh mint and a lemon wheel.

Why You’ll Love This Cocktail Recipe

While I’ve grown to love the awe-inspiring snowy Colorado winter, I’m still a Texas girl at heart. I simply live for warm sunshine and the excuse to do anything and everything outside. I have compiled quite the list of summer snacks and drinks over my years of playing host, but this new grownup lemonade margarita beauty has been a hit lately.

With a cheery red hue and a bright, sweet-tart mouthful of flavor, this tequila smash recipe is sure to liven up any happy hour. Best of all, it takes just your choice of tequila and four easy-to-find in-season ingredients to make it happen!

Juicy strawberries, sweet agave, and fresh mint act as supporting cast in this simple lemon tequila cocktail. It’s tart without being too mouth-puckering, sweet without being too sweet. At its core, my strawberry tequila smash is the perfect balance of summer’s finest flavors in one pretty little glass.

And speaking of glasses — I am obsessed with these glasses from Mexico.

bunch of fresh mint on a table.

Ingredients & Substitutions

You only need five simple ingredients to make this easy tequila cocktail:

  • Strawberries – It’s hard to beat the flavor of sweet, in-season strawberries. However, if you’re struggling to find good candidates in the produce section, don’t forget about the bounty that lies in the freezer department! Frozen fruits and veggies are picked at peak ripeness, so they’re often the better option than fresh out-of-season picks.
  • Fresh Mint Leaves – I tend to prefer the softer flavor of spearmint, but feel free to use any type of fresh herb that grows in your garden – peppermint, chocolate mint, or basil are all delightful here.
  • Lemon – The simplicity of this tequila cocktail means that each component should shine. Opt for fresh citrus, giving it a firm roll on the counter for about 10-15 seconds before cutting in half for juicing.
  • Tequila – Try a bright and citrusy tequila blanco or opt for more of a vanilla-oak finish by seeking out reposado. No matter which you choose, make sure to stick to brands that are 100% agave.
  • Agave Nectar – This liquid sweetener is traditional for margaritas. It is my go-to for most tequila cocktails. Feel free to swap in honey or simple syrup if that’s what you have on hand.
fresh strawberries in a blue fluted edge bowl.

How To Make My Strawberry Lemonade and Tequila Smash

This summery tequila lemonade cocktail comes together in minutes. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Muddle. Place the strawberries and mint into a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler (or the back of a wooden spoon), thoroughly mash the two ingredients, allowing the strawberry juices to release.

Step 2: Shake. Then add in the lemon juice, tequila, and agave nectar. Seal the lid onto the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Step 3: Sugar Rim. Place sugar on a small plate. Line the rim of a double old-fashioned glass (or similar) with a lemon wedge and then dip into the sugar to coat the rim of the glass.

Step 4: Assemble & Enjoy. Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice, then pour the strawberry mixture over it. Top with additional ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and fresh mint. Serve immediately.

strawberry lemonade tequila smash cocktail on an embroidered cocktail napkin next to a bouquet of fresh flowers.

Expert Tips

One of the best things about smash cocktails is how easy they are to pull off! This tequila smash is no different. That said, I do have a few tips for you to keep in mind:

  • Shake it like you mean it. If you’re someone who has ever wondered why professional bartenders seem to make such a show out of shaking their drinks, you’re not alone. That said, it’s for more than just show! Shaking a cocktail helps to aerate the drink with small shards of ice, which serves to both chill it and give it a lovely mouthfeel.
  • Shaken vs. Stirred. Shaken drinks are meant to be imbibed quickly, as the small shards of ice that help to aerate the cocktail and give it texture will only last a few minutes. Once those shards melt, the cocktail is no longer at its prime. Stirred drinks, on the other hand, are typically served over ice and can be sipped on in a more leisurely fashion.
  • Strawberries. Strawberries are in peak season and I buy them weekly. This recipe will also work with slightly thawed frozen strawberries instead, so use what you have on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a drink a “smash?”

Typically made by muddling (or “smashing”) fresh fruit and/or herbs with sugar, then adding your liquor of choice and any other ingredients you’d like is about as exact as the definition of a “smash cocktail” gets. They can be made with just about any kind of fruit or herb, any kind of liquor, have a splash of carbonation or not. They’re really just a blank canvas for you to paint your flavor vision on!

Can I use frozen strawberries?

Absolutely! Let them thaw at least a little bit to make the muddling process easier, but otherwise, frozen berries are perfect in this tequila cocktail.

What kind of liquor goes in a smash?

ANY! In this strawberry lemonade smash recipe, I use tequila. That said, it’d work equally well if you opted to trade in white rum, vodka, whisky, or gin.

More Summer Cocktails

If you made this recipe for my Strawberry Lemonade Tequila Smash, please be sure to rate and review it below and share it with friends!

closeup of strawberry lemonade and tequila smash in a clear etched rocks glass with a sugar rim and garnished with a spring of fresh mint and a lemon wheel.

Strawberry Lemonade & Tequila Smash

5 (1 rating)
Bright, deliciously minty, and a perfect balance of sweet and tart, this Strawberry Lemonade and Tequila Smash might just be my new favorite cocktail. Made with just five ingredients in five minutes, this is an easy tequila cocktail everyone needs this summer. 
Print Pin Rate
Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 strawberries, hulled
  • 8 fresh mint leaves
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1.5 ounces tequila (silver or reposado)
  • 1 ounce agave nectar
  • Lemon slice and mint for garnish

Instructions 

  • Place the strawberries and mint into a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler (or the back of a wooden spoon), thoroughly mash the two ingredients, allowing the strawberry juices to release.
  • Then add in the lemon juice, tequila, and agave nectar. Seal the lid onto the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
  • Place sugar on a small plate. Line the rim of a double old-fashioned glass (or similar) with a lemon wedge and then dip into the sugar to coat the rim of the glass.
  • Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice. Then pour the strawberry mixture over it. Top with additional ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and fresh mint. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Shake it like you mean it. If you’re someone who has ever wondered why professional bartenders seem to make such a show out of shaking their drinks, you’re not alone. That said, it’s for more than just show! Shaking a cocktail helps to aerate the drink with small shards of ice, which serves to both chill it and give it a lovely mouthfeel.
  • Feel free to use white rum, vodka, whisky, or gin in place of the tequila. 
Serving: 1g, Calories: 219kcal, Carbohydrates: 31g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.5g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g, Sodium: 5mg, Potassium: 177mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 356IU, Vitamin C: 57mg, Calcium: 40mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Yvette Marquez
Course: cocktail, Drinks
Cuisine: cal-mex

Photography by Jenna Sparks