Frozen Blackberry Margarita
Tequila, lime and blackberry syrup (or frozen blackberries) blended into a deep purple frozen margarita.
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A three-ingredient margarita with serious color. Blackberry syrup gives consistent flavor year-round; in late summer you can use frozen blackberries instead (see variations).
At 4 ounces of liquid per drink this is a stronger margarita than the manual version — 2 ounces of tequila per serving — so it’s best for smaller batches.
Blackberry Margarita recipe
Ingredients (1 drink)
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz lime juice (paid link)
- 1 oz blackberry syrup (paid link)
Plus: a full ice reservoir. Garnish: Fresh blackberries, lime wheel. Glass: Margarita glass.
Instructions
- Fill the ice reservoir.
- Add tequila, lime and blackberry syrup to the jar (scale with the table).
- Run the Shave ’n Blend™ cycle.
- Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lime wheel.
How much to make in your machine
Every Margaritaville frozen concoction maker is designed around a particular volume of liquid — the shaver portions ice for it. The table scales this recipe to the margarita liquid volume printed in each model’s manual (Key West DM1000 / DM1946 3 × 12 oz drinks: 9.75 fl oz; Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM2000 3 × 12 oz drinks: 13 fl oz; Tahiti DM3000 per 24 oz jar: 8.67 fl oz; Bali DM3500 half chamber: 11 fl oz; Bali DM3500 full chamber: 22 fl oz). Amounts are rounded to the nearest ¼ or ⅓ oz.
| Ingredient | Key West DM1000 / DM19463 × 12 oz drinks | Bahamas DM0500 / Fiji DM20003 × 12 oz drinks | Tahiti DM3000per 24 oz jar | Bali DM3500half chamber | Bali DM3500full chamber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tequila | 5 oz | 6½ oz | 4⅓ oz | 5½ oz | 11 oz |
| lime juice | 2½ oz | 3¼ oz | 2¼ oz | 2¾ oz | 5½ oz |
| blackberry syrup | 2½ oz | 3¼ oz | 2¼ oz | 2¾ oz | 5½ oz |
Scaling is our calculation, not a manufacturer recipe. Fruit- and ice-cream-heavy drinks vary more; adjust with the Shave Only / Blend Only controls. The Key West DM1900 isn’t listed because we haven’t verified its manual yet.
Machine notes for this drink
- The ingredient list is written for a single 12 oz drink, which matches the 1-drink setting on Key West and Fiji dials. Multiply by 2 or 3 and set the Number of Drinks dial to match.
- This batch uses about 4 fl oz of liquid for 1 drink. If your drink comes out watery, the manuals’ first fix is to follow the recipe volumes or manually shave more ice; if it’s too stiff, add liquid and Blend Only.
Why this recipe works
Syrup sweetens and flavors in one ingredient, and it dissolves perfectly in a cold blend. Berries’ natural tannins give the drink more depth than a plain lime margarita.
About frozen margaritas
A frozen margarita lives or dies on the balance of spirit, sour and sweet. Keep tequila to roughly a third of the liquid; much more and the shaved ice won’t set. Citrus should be fresh or a good bottled juice, and the sweet element — mix, syrup, agave or liqueur — needs to be slightly more generous than in a shaken margarita because cold dulls sweetness.
Tips for the best texture
- Strain frozen-berry versions through a coarse sieve if seeds bother you.
- A few mint leaves in the jar are excellent with blackberry.
- Use the Daiquiris program (Fiji, Bali) when adding whole fruit.
- Reduce the tequila to 1½ oz per drink for a lighter version.
- Never put anything but ice in the ice reservoir, and don’t fill the jar past its maximum line — both are warnings in every manual.
- Too thin? Hold the toggle in Shave Only for a few seconds, then Blend Only to mix it in. Too thick? Add an ounce of liquid and Blend Only.
Serving & make-ahead
Garnish with fresh blackberries, lime wheel and serve in a margarita glass. Serve margaritas in chilled glasses with the rim prepared before you blend — salt for classic and citrus styles, sugar or tajín for fruit and spicy ones. For parties, pre-mix the liquid ingredients in a pitcher (everything except carbonated mixers) and keep it in the fridge; each batch then takes a ten-second pour and one button press. Set out lime wedges so guests can adjust tartness themselves.
Variations
- Fresh fruit: Use ⅓ cup frozen blackberries + ½ oz simple syrup per drink in place of the syrup.
- Bramble-rita: Swap half the tequila for gin.
- Mixed berry: Add raspberries and blueberries with the blackberries.
Mocktail swap
Replace tequila with 2 oz sparkling water or lemonade per drink.
Shop the ingredients
- Nellie & Joe's Key West Lime Juice (paid link)
- 1883 Maison Routin Blackberry Syrup (paid link)
- Libbey Cancun Margarita Set — 6 margarita glasses + 89 oz pitcher (paid link)
We link to mixers, syrups and juices only — alcohol isn’t sold through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is the blackberry syrup alcoholic?
No — syrups like 1883 Maison Routin are non-alcoholic flavoring syrups.
Why is mine pink instead of purple?
Shaved ice lightens the color. Add a few extra berries for a deeper hue.
Can I use blackberry jam?
In a pinch, 1 tbsp seedless jam per drink, whisked into the lime juice first.
How much ice should I put in the machine?
Fill the ice reservoir with ice cubes — the machine shaves the amount it needs for the cycle (dial models size it to the 1, 2 or 3-drink setting). The manuals recommend ice that has been out of the freezer for 10–15 minutes.
Will this work in a regular blender?
Yes — add about 1½–2 cups of ice per 12 oz drink and blend until smooth. The texture will be coarser than shaved ice.
What we changed
Added fresh-fruit option, batch sizes and a strength note.
Please drink responsibly. Alcoholic recipes are for adults of legal drinking age (21+ in the US). Never drink and drive.
