If you’re a fan of fresh, herbal cocktails with a classic base, this rosemary-infused Margarita is a sharp, aromatic twist on the original. Featuring tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and a touch of our rosemary-infused demerara syrup, it’s bright, balanced, and just a little earthy—perfect for warm evenings or casual entertaining.
The rosemary adds a subtle complexity that makes this Margarita feel elevated without overcomplicating it. And with a half-salted rim, every sip hits a little differently.

Rosemary Margarita

A herbaceous twist on the classic Margarita, this version highlights fresh rosemary with a rich demerara syrup infusion, balanced by the bright tang of lime and smooth tequila

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Equipment

Cocktail shaker where to buy
Jigger where to buy
Hawthorne strainer where to buy
Fine mesh strainer where to buy

Ingredients

5 cl Tequila Blanco recommended, I used Don Julio Blanco
2.5 cl Fresh Lime Juice
1 cl Cointreau or other orange liqueur
1 bar spoon Rosemary-Infused Demerara Syrup you can use agave syrup instead—shaking with fresh rosemary still adds plenty of flavor
2 sprigs Fresh Rosemary

Instructions

Start by half-salting your glass: rub a lime wedge around half the rim of a rocks or coupe glass, then dip that side into coarse salt
Add tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, and rosemary-infused demerara syrup to a cocktail shaker.
Add 1 sprig of fresh rosemary to the shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for about 10–15 seconds.
Fine strain into a chilled rocks glass over fresh ice (or serve up in a coupe, if preferred).
Garnish with another sprig of fresh rosemary.

Notes

To amp up the rosemary aroma, gently slap the garnish sprig between your palms before adding it.

For a more citrus-forward profile, increase lime juice slightly to 3 cl.

Want a sweeter edge? Add an extra half bar spoon of the syrup.

for added Smokiness, slightly torch your rosemary before putting it in the shaker.

Why Rosemary?

Rosemary might not be your first thought for a Margarita, but it works surprisingly well. The herbal, piney quality of fresh rosemary complements the grassy citrus notes of tequila beautifully. Infusing it into a rich syrup gives you just enough control over the flavor—you get the complexity without overwhelming the drink.

Don’t have the infused syrup ready? You can sub in agave syrup. You’ll still pull plenty of rosemary flavor just from shaking the fresh sprig in the shaker.

The Half-Salted Rim

Salting only half the rim lets you choose your sip—clean on one side, savory on the other. It’s a small detail, but it makes the drink more dynamic and gives you better control over how you experience the cocktail.

Plus, with rosemary in the mix, a fully salted rim can be overpowering. Half is just right.

The Role of Tequila and Cointreau

We kept this Margarita close to the original spec: tequila, lime, and orange liqueur. Blanco tequila works best here—it’s crisp, citrus-forward, and doesn’t compete with the rosemary. The Cointreau adds sweetness and orange aroma without making the drink overly sugary.

This isn’t a cocktail that needs heavy-handed modifiers. The rosemary syrup is doing just enough.

Technique Tips

Shake hard. You want to bruise that rosemary sprig to really extract the flavor and aroma.
Use fresh lime juice—the acidity is essential, and bottled juice won’t cut it here.
Slap the rosemary garnish between your hands before adding it. It releases the oils and makes the drink smell incredible.
If you’re serving over rocks, a large cube is ideal—it keeps dilution slow and the drink crisp.

About the Rosemary Syrup

We use a semi-rich demerara syrup infused with fresh rosemary (see recipe here). The deeper molasses note from the demerara sugar pairs well with tequila and helps round out the herbal flavor. If you want to adjust the intensity, steep longer or use an extra rosemary sprig when you make the syrup.

And yes—you can absolutely torch the rosemary before infusing if you’re into adding extra smokiness. Totally optional, but a nice detail.

Final Thoughts

This Rosemary Margarita is everything we love in a cocktail: familiar, balanced, and just a little surprising. The rosemary infusion adds a new dimension without making the drink feel gimmicky, and the half-salted rim gives you real control over how you experience each sip.

Whether you’re making it for a dinner party or just winding down on your own, this one’s worth keeping in the rotation. Simple build, clean flavors, and just enough of a twist.

Rosemary Margarita Recipe