The loquat is a delicious orange fruit that grows on an evergreen shrub. These shrubs or trees are sometimes used in landscaping. Loquat trees thrive in warm climates. The leaves of the loquat tree can be used to make loquat tea . The fruit is commonly referred to as Japanese Plums or Japanese Medlars and contains anywhere from 1 to 6 large, smooth brown seeds. The seeds can be used to make loquat liqueur, however, they do contain a small amount of cyanide. In Italy, Nespolino ( a liqueur that is sometimes compared to Amaretto ) is prepared with the seeds of certain varieties that contain only trace amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which makes Nespolino safe to drink.

Loquat Margaritas

Name: Loquat Margaritas
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ¾ cup ice; ¾ cup loquats; ¼ cup mango or peach juice ((orange juice can be substituted)); 1½-2 ounce tequila; 1 ounce triple sec; ½ ounce grenadine ((optional)); 1 small lime; kosher salt/sugar for the rim ((optional))

These delicious Loquat Margaritas are the perfect way to usher in the warm days of Summer! Loquats taste like a combination of apricots, peaches, and mangos, so just imagine how delicious they are in a Margarita!

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It's May, so loquats are currently ripe for the picking here in San Diego. On one hand, I'm bummed that once again I'm missing out on morel mushroom-picking season in Montana. But on the other hand, I get to enjoy loquats, and some time with my San Diego friends.

My partners in crime, Sheila and Diane helped me pick a bunch of loquats. Well, more like they picked and I ate. 😬 Walls were climbed (sadly, not as easy as they once were) and dogs were annoyed, but hey, I got a haul of loquats AND no one got hurt!

Of course, the first thing I made was some jam, but then I decided it was time for a new loquat recipe. I thought, "what better way to feature these tasty fruits than in a loquat margaritas recipe?" I regret nothing! 🙌

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
What Goes Into This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions
How to Make A Loquat Margarita
Recipe FAQs
Pro Tips
Related Recipes
Recipe
Comments

Why This Recipe Works

Loquats have a sweet and slightly sour flavor that's perfectly suited for margaritas. They're also easily blended, even with their skin unpeeled.

Unfortunately, when loquats ripen, they all ripen at once. It's impossible to eat all those juicy loquats before they start to shrivel up. Since loquats are very delicate and perishable, they don't last long once picked.

Prepping and freezing the loquats is a great way to enjoy them all year long. I can't think of a better way to enjoy frozen loquats than making these delicious margaritas, can you?

What Goes Into This Recipe

Recipe Ingredients & Substitutions

Loquats - Fresh or frozen loquats can be used, however, if using fresh loquats, you may need to add more ice.
Tequila - For a smooth-tasting margarita, choose a good quality tequila, like 1800 Silver.
Juice - Mango or peach juice works great in this recipe since its flavor resembles that of loquats. Orange juice can be substituted.
Triple sec - Triple sec ups the alcohol content and adds a delicious citrus flavor.
Grenadine - Add Grenadine for a sweeter margarita, or leave it out entirely if you don't want to change the color of the loquat margarita.
Lime - The lime is needed to balance out the flavor and also to wet the rim of the glass so that it can be salted.
Kosher Salt or Sugar - kosher salt or sugar can be used on the rim of the glass.

How to Make A Loquat Margarita

Step 1: Add ice, frozen loquats, orange juice, tequila, triple sec, and grenadine to the cup of a blender. Blend until smooth.

a blender cup with ice and chopped loquats.

pouring juice over loquats in a blender.

Step 2: Cut the lime in half, and squeeze one half into the margarita mix. Stir to combine. Use the same half to wet the edges of the glass.

a plastic cup with a blended loquat margarita

Step 3: Dip the edge of the glass into a plateful of kosher salt or margarita salt until coated. Watching your salt? Sugar may be used instead.

an empty margarita glass with salt around the rim.

Step 4: Pour the margarita mix into the glass and garnish with a slice of lime. Now go make some friends!

loquat margarita in a glass with loquats around it

Recipe FAQs

What is a loquat?

The loquat is a delicious orange fruit that grows on an evergreen shrub. These shrubs or trees are sometimes used in landscaping. Loquat trees thrive in warm climates. The leaves of the loquat tree can be used to make

Can you eat loquat skin?

Loquats have a thin skin that can be eaten or peeled off. Peeling the fruit can be tricky because the delicate and juicy fruit tends to fall apart in the process of peeling it.

Loquats are much easier to enjoy with their skin on because the skin keeps the fruit's delicate flesh intact.

Can you freeze fresh loquats?

Loquats can be frozen, however, it's a good idea to remove the seeds first. When loquats are frozen without seeding first the fruit becomes mushy which makes it almost impossible to remove the seed at that point.

Pro Tips

You can easily make Virgin Loquat Margaritas by leaving the tequila and triple sec out and doubling the amount of juice.
Another way to remove the seeds (without getting your fingernails black from handling the seeds) is to use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds (a reader tip, thanks, Monica)!
Honey or another sweetener can be added instead of grenadine. This will also help to keep the margarita orange in color.
In the place of lime juice, try using super juice, it's got great flavor and extends the amount of juice by seven times!

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Hilda Sterner