Last week a couple of my mommy friends and toddlers/preschoolers got together for a playdate (mommy happy hour) that included mulberry picking and margarita making. Doesn’t that just sound like the perfect way to start the summer? The kids loved plucking the berries off the tree and popping them straight into their mouths. The few that ended up in buckets were blended with ice, fresh mint, and lime juice for the most refreshing summery margarita. It’s easy to make these virgin slushies and they would be just as fresh and tassty – just leave any alcohol out. Mulberries are not very common here. If they’re uncommon where you are, simply use this recipe and swap the mulberries out for raspberries or blackberries. A fresh raspberry and mint margarita sounds heavenly. 
A mulberry tree may be my next garden purchase. One tree produces many many berries. A good shake of the trunk and berries come tumbling down. 
Are you singing “all around the mulberry bush…” yet? 
Thank you, Elena for the playdate! 
Berry Mint Margarita Recipe 
Recipe after the break: 

Mulberry Mint Margaritas
makes 1 (double, triple, etc for more) 
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes) 
  • 1/4 cup orange juice 
  • 1.5 ounces tequila* 
  • 1 ounce triple sec*
  • 1/2 cup frozen mulberries, blackberries, or raspberries 
  • 5 fresh mint leaves 
  • 3/4 cup ice cubes 
  • 1 tablespoon agave syrup or honey, or a pinch of stevia until sweet 
  • coarse salt for the rim (optional) 

Instructions 
*Omit for virgin slushies 
Pour all ingredients except for the salt into a blender. Process until ice and berries are finely ground. If salting the rims of glasses, use one of the juiced limes to lightly wet the rims. Place salt on a small dish and dip glass rims into the salt to coat. Pour margaritas into prepared glasses. Garnish with additional berries and mint, if desired