Lightly sweetened and delightfully creamy, this Sweet Corn Cilantro Margarita is the stuff of summer dreams. So let’s raise a glass and pledge to drag out summer as long as we can!

cocktail glass filled with a creamy yellow cocktail and garnished with cilantro.

There’s no better time to make the most of sweet corn than the waning days of the season. Around here, sweet corn stands pop up about mid July and stick around through August and most of September. And in these parts, we’ve got some darn good sweet corn.

I’ve been eating way more sweet corn than anyone probably should, but this is the time to overindulge, right?

Sweet corn isn’t overly “juicy,” so this marg doesn’t have a hit-you-over-the-head corn flavor. But what sweet corn is packed with is starch, which lends a lovely creaminess to this margarita. It almost reminds me of a pisco sour. This Sweet Corn Cilantro Margarita is surprising, fun, and incredibly seasonal, so it’s a win in my book.

two margaritas set on a blue tables garnished with cilantro and a lime wedge

What you’ll need for this margarita:

  • a few ears of sweet corn
  • cilantro
  • agave syrup
  • tequila blanco
  • fresh lime juice
  • kosher salt
  • chili lime seasoning

How do you make a sweet corn cilantro margarita?

  1. cut the kernels off of the corn cob.
  2. add the kernels to a glass bowl, add a splash of water, cover with plastic, and microwave until the corn is steamed and tender.
  3. drain the corn and add to a cocktail shaker with cilantro and agave syrup.
  4. muddle, muddle, muddle, then muddle some more. The goal here is to release as much juice and starch from the corn as possible!
  5. add the tequila and lime juice, fill the shaker with ice and shake, shake, shake!
  6. make the chili salt, or simply grab some salt and rim your rocks glasses with it (I use a lime wedge to wet the rims, then I dip them in the salt). Fill the glasses with ice.
  7. strain the margaritas through a fine mesh strainer into the prepared glasses.
  8. optional, garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
grid of step images showing the process for making a sweet corn margarita

Variations on this sweet corn margarita:

  • Spice it up! Muddle a few slices of jalapeño or serrano with the corn.
  • Make it more classic by adding a splash or Grand Marnier to mix.
  • Swap he herb—try basil instead of cilantro.

More margarita recipes you may like…

cocktail glass filled with a creamy yellow cocktail and garnished with cilantro.

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cocktail glass filled with a creamy yellow cocktail and garnished with cilantro.

Maíz Tierno Margarita (Sweet Corn Margarita)

  • Author: Lauren Grant of Zestful Kitchen
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 2 margaritas 1x
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: No-cook
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Lightly sweetened and delightfully creamy, this sweet corn margarita is the stuff of summer dreams. So let’s raise a glass and pledge to drag out summer as long as we can!


Ingredients

Scale

Margarita

  • 4 ounces sweet corn kernels (about ⅔ cup, about 1 ear of corn)
  • 1 tablespoon agave syrup
  • 12 cilantro leaves
  • 4 ounces tequila blanco
  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice

Chili Margarita Salt

  • 2 tablespoons Morton kosher salt
  • ¾ teaspoon chili lime seasoning (such as Tajin), or chili powder

Instructions

Place corn in a small glass bowl, add a splash of water, cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high until steamed and tender, 1½–2 minutes; drain.

Add corn to a cocktail shaker with agave and cilantro and muddle until corn starts to release liquid, about 2 minutes.

Add tequila and lime juice, fill shaker with ice, secure lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled.

In a shallow bowl or plate combine salt and chili lime seasoning. Run a lime wedge around the rim of two rocks glasses; dip in salt mixture to rim glasses with salt.

Strain margarita through a fine mesh sieve into prepared glasses; garnish with cilantro and serve.


Keywords: sweet corn margarita, margarita, cilantro margarita

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Originally posted on September 7th, 2017. Updated August 7th, 2020.

Comments

  1. Wow I’ve never heard of a corn margarita!! How cool! You make it look very tempting. I’m sure it has a unique taste. Your pictures are beautiful!

  2. How interesting! And it looks incredibly thirst quenching. I might also substitute the lime with lime essential oil for a big pop of flavour. I’ll have to give this a try some time, thank you!

  3. Such a pretty looking drink. Shane I’ve just cut corn from my diet, although corn season is still a few months off here in New Zealand. Maybe by then I could try one. It sounds so intriguing.

  4. Wow, I love sweet corn but I can’t say I ever imagined it in a cocktail. Oddly enough, this sounds delicious! Summer is coming to an end, but I think I’m gonna have to give this a try!

  5. Wow, this is completely new to me. I had never thought of including corn in something like a margarita. Interesting idea!

  6. This is something I have never come across, totally unheard of, I wonder how it tastes. I am intrigued, will definitely give it a try.

  7. Holy cow! I am soo interested in this marg recepie! Looks delish and great pictures!! I am from Iowa where are corn grows thick and I’ve never heard of a sweet corn Margarita;)
    XO-Ashley

  8. I LOVE sweet corn so this is a definite must try for me!! I also think your photographs are amazing!! I love shooting food, it makes you feel so accomplished! Thanks for this drink idea I’ll definitely be making it soon!