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    Tamarind margarita

    Published: Jul 16, 2021 by Viola · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Pin Recipe

    This tamarind margarita recipe adds a unique twist on the classic margarita. Tangy tamarind paste adds a delicious depth of flavor and makes this recipe super refreshing while the savory Indian chaat masala rim lends to that perfect salty sweet combination.

    Tamarind margarita

    Flavors in this tamarind margarita

    This tamarind margarita is super delicious and refreshing! It’s a little bit tangy thanks to the tamarind paste, slightly sweet from the jaggery (unrefined cane sugar) and so refreshing because of the fresh lime juice. If you’re looking for a different take on the classic margarita, you've got to try this one. It’s one of those cocktails that feels so fancy and exotic, but is so simple to whip together!

    Apart from the tamarind, what makes this cocktail unique is the use of Indian chaat masala and kala namak (black salt).

    Chaat masala is an amazing spice mixture in Indian cuisine often consisting of amchoor (dry mango powder), cumin, coriander, chili and black salt (also known as kala namak). It has a spicy, sour and savory flavor and makes everything it is added to, taste lip smacking delicious. It pairs especially well with fruits and drinks and adds that perfect salty sweet combination.

    Kala namak (black salt) is Indian volcanic rock salt. It starts out as Himalayan Pink Salt or sodium chloride and is then heated to extremely high temperatures and mixed with Indian spices and herbs including the seeds of the harad fruit which contains sulfur. It also contains trace impurities of sulfates, sulfides, iron and magnesium which all contribute to the salt’s color, smell and taste. When dry, this salt has a mild eggy, sulfurous aroma. When added to water (or in drinks, on fruit), that aroma becomes stronger.

    Together with the tamarind paste and lime, chaat masala and kala namak add an amazing savory sour sweet flavor to this margarita making it absolutely irresistible, I highly recommend that you give it a go!

    Tamarind margarita

    How to make tamarind margarita

    This yummy cocktail is incredibly easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

    1. Add all the ingredients + shake/stir – add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker or mason jar along with ice. Shake or stir until everything is combined.
    2. Rims of your glasses – This step is optional but it adds so much to these margaritas! Run a lime wedge around the outside of your margarita glass rims, then dip them in chaat masala and shake off any excess.
    3. Pour + serve – pour the margaritas into your rimmed glasses, then serve!
    Tamarind margarita

    Tamarind paste

    Tamarind is a dark brown, sticky fruit that grows in pods from a tamarind tree. It has a sour taste if eaten raw, with a slight hint of sweetness.

    You can either buy tamarind paste premade or make it yourself. It keeps for an extensive amount of time and has an amazing flavor that goes well it both savory and sweet dishes as well as drinks and cocktails. This is the brand of tamarind paste that I like to use. If you'd like to make it yourself, here's a recipe you can use.

    Tequila

    While it is common to use silver or blanco tequila in margarita, I really enjoy the smokey and deep flavor in Anejo or Reposado varieties. However, feel free to use your favorite kind in this recipe!

    If you don't drink alcohol, you can totally leave it out and make a tamarind cooler instead of a tamarind margarita. It will still taste very delicious.

    Tamarind margarita

    Frequently asked questions

    What ingredients make a classic margarita?

    A classic margarita usually has tequila, lime juice, orange juice (or orange liqueur), an optional sweetener and ice.

    Do I need orange liqueur to make this margarita?

    Nope! Some recipes call for orange liqueur (like triple sec or Cointreau) but you can just use orange juice instead. If you do have orange liqueur on hand then you can definitely replace orange juice with it, in this recipe.

    Can I make this without alcohol?

    Yes, absolutely! I have made this recipe without the alcohol as a tamarind cooler and it still tastes fantastic and super refreshing!

    What if I don't have tamarind paste?

    You can either buy tamarind paste premade or make it yourself. It keeps for an extensive amount of time and has an amazing flavor that goes well it both savory and sweet dishes as well as drinks and cocktails. This is the brand of tamarind paste that I like to use. If you'd like to make it yourself, here's a recipe you can use.

    Tamarind margarita

    More cocktails to try!

    Jalapeno Mezcal Margarita
    Jalapeno mezcal margarita
    Spiked chili lime hot chocolate
    Spiked chili lime hot chocolate

    This tamarind margarita pairs well with

    Spicy shrimp tacos
    Spicy shrimp tacos
    Masala salmon with mango avocado salsa
    Masala salmon with mango avocado salsa

    Recipe

    Love this recipe?Rate the recipe by clicking on the stars in the recipe card below
    Tamarind margarita

    Tamarind jaggery margarita with chaat masala rim

    Tamarind margarita 1Viola
    This tamarind margarita recipe adds a unique twist on the classic margarita. Tangy tamarind paste adds a delicious depth of flavor and makes this recipe super refreshing while the savory Indian chaat masala rim lends to that perfect salty sweet combination.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Beverages, Drinks
    Cuisine Indian, Indian Fusion, Indo Mexican Fusion
    Servings 2
    Calories 147 kcal

    Equipment

    cocktail shaker
    Cocktail shaker

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ¼ cup orange juice
    • 1.5 tablespoon lime juice
    • ¼ cup tequila
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 teaspoons tamarind paste
    • 4 teaspoons jaggery powder or brown sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon chaat masala
    • ¼ teaspoon kala namak/Indian black salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt (optional)
    • ice to fill the shaker

    For the rim

    • 1 wedge of lime
    • ½ teaspoon chaat masala

    Instructions
     

    To make the chaat masala rim

    • Run a wedge of lime around the rim of each glass. Spread the chaat masala on a plate and invert each glass onto the plate so the rim gets coated with the chaat masala.
      Chaat masala rim

    For the margarita

    • Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Close the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds.
      Make the margarita
    • Pour the margarita into the prepared glasses filled with more ice and serve. Garnish with lime slices if desired.
      Tamarind margarita 2

    Video

    Notes

    For a refreshing fizzy cocktail, make the cocktail without the water and pour into glasses filled with ice. Finally top each glass with ¼ cup of sparkling water!
    If you don't drink alcohol, just leave out the tequila to make a tamarind cooler instead!

    Estimated Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Tamarind jaggery margarita with chaat masala rim
    Calories
    147
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    6
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Sodium
     
    153
    mg
    7
    %
    Potassium
     
    121
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    18
    g
    6
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    15
    g
    17
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    71
    IU
    1
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    19
    mg
    23
    %
    Calcium
     
    15
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients you use.
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @LimeThymeRecipes and tag #limethymerecipes
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Val R says

      September 16, 2021 at 6:36 am

      5 stars
      Looks so so tempting! Pretty simple recipe too!

      Reply

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    About Me Lime Thyme

    HEY, I'M VIOLA!

    I'm a self taught recipe developer, food photographer and videographer living in Seattle.

    Welcome to Lime Thyme, where you'll find  find easy, flavorful and innovative Indian inspired recipes using seasonal and fresh ingredients!

    Learn more about me here.

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      About Me Lime Thyme

      HEY, I'M VIOLA!

      I'm a self taught recipe developer, food photographer and videographer living in Seattle.

      Welcome to Lime Thyme, where you'll find  find easy, flavorful and innovative Indian inspired recipes using seasonal and fresh ingredients!

      Learn more about me here.

        Popular

        • The ULTIMATE no bake mango cheesecake
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