When blood oranges appear at the grocery store, there’s a rush to use them anywhere and everywhere. These seasonal fruits are especially delicious in blood orange recipes for desserts and salads. They also happen to make one excellent blood orange margarita.
From-scratch margaritas are classic year-round, and we often see summery twists on them in warmer weather. But you can spruce up the cocktail during the winter months, also, when blood oranges come into season. This gorgeous fruit produces a ruby-red juice that adds color and sweetness to any drink. When balanced with a little salt on the rim, you’re left with a lip-smackingly perfect refresher.
Blood Orange Margarita Ingredients
- Lime juice: Lime juice is the heart of a margarita. It provides key acidity and tang. In our blood orange margarita, it plays a supporting role. Use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor and aroma.
- Blood orange juice: Blood orange juice gives this margarita a unique color and flavor. It’s a great seasonal twist on a summer drink! Blood oranges are also much less acidic than regular oranges.
- Cointreau: Cointreau is a citrus-scented Triple Sec that adds balanced bittersweet flavor to a margarita. Curacao and Grand Mariner can also be used.
- Blanco tequila: Blanco tequila is unaged. Use a high-quality tequila for this blood orange margarita to give it a strong, crisp flavor.
- Simple syrup: Add simple syrup to make your margarita sweeter. If you prefer a stiffer drink, cut down on the simple syrup. If the margarita is too strong, simply add a bit more to taste.
Read more about these essential ingredients in our margarita guide.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the glass
Prepare your margarita glass by dipping the rim into lime juice and then into coarse sea salt. Add ice to the glass.
Step 2: Mix the cocktail
Combine the tequila, Cointreau, orange juice, lime juice and, if desired, syrup in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice. Cover and shake until frost forms on the outside of the shaker, 15 to 20 seconds.
Step 3: Garnish and serve
Strain the blood orange margarita into the prepared glass. Garnish with a blood orange slice, and serve immediately.
Editor’s Tip: For something different, rim the glass with Tajín instead of salt. It adds a spicy, tangy twist!
Can you make blood orange margaritas ahead of time?
Absolutely, you can make blood orange margaritas ahead of time. Simply mix the ingredients together, and refrigerate for up to three days. Just don’t add ice until you are ready to serve. When ready to serve, stir the drink thoroughly, and then pour into a fresh glass over ice. If you’re serving blood orange margaritas at a party, follow our margarita pitcher recipe to make a bigger batch.
Blood Orange Margarita Tips
Can you use mezcal instead of tequila?
Mezcal is a great way to add an extra layer of flavor to a margarita. Mezcal is another agave-based liquor, but unlike tequila, it’s made from agave plants that are cooked in an oven, which provides a smoky flavor. If you opt for mezcal, cut down on the simple syrup to let the smoky flavor shine through.
Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?
You can substitute regular orange juice or even grapefruit juice for the blood orange juice in this margarita recipe. Of course, this will change the overall taste, balance and acidity of the cocktail, so make sure to taste before adding the full amount of simple syrup.
