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This eye-catching blood orange margarita turns regular drinks time into something truly special with its gorgeous ruby glow and perfect mix of sweet, zesty, and tangy tastes. Blood oranges bring natural sweetness that adds complexity to the traditional margarita while keeping that invigorating kick we all want.
I came up with these during a cold-weather dinner when standard citrus seemed too boring. The stunning red color had everyone grabbing their phones for pictures before they even tasted it, and it's now become my go-to drink whenever blood oranges are available.
Ingredients
- Tequila blanco: Gives a pure agave taste that makes the blood orange flavor stand out
- Fresh blood orange juice: Creates dramatic color and sweet-tangy flavor that you can't get from store-bought juice
- Fresh lime juice: Adds the sharp tang needed for a true margarita experience
- Cointreau or triple sec: Brings orange flavor and just enough sweetness without going overboard
- Simple syrup or agave: Lets you adjust how sweet your drink is based on your oranges
- Tajin rim spice: Offers a spicy-lime-salt kick that makes the citrus pop even more
- Ice: Bigger chunks melt more slowly so your drink stays strong to the last sip
- Orange and lime slices: Make it look fantastic while giving hints about what's in your glass
How To Make Blood Orange Margaritas
- Get Everything Ready:
- Have all your stuff measured and set out before you start. Squeeze your citrus right before mixing for the brightest taste and make sure your glasses are cold for best results.
- Mix The Drink:
- Put ice in your shaker about a third full. Too much or too little changes how the drink turns out. Pour in your measured tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, triple sec and simple syrup. Close the lid tight and shake hard for 15 seconds until the outside gets frosty.
- Fix The Glass Edges:
- Rub a lime piece around each glass rim to make it wet. Dip the wet edge into tajin or salt at an angle for good coverage. Carefully put fresh ice in the glasses without messing up the rim.
- Pour And Decorate:
- Share the beautiful red mixture between your glasses. It should look bright and a bit foamy from all that shaking. Add citrus slices on the rim or floating in the drink to make it look even better.
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What I love most about this drink is seeing people try it for the first time. There's something special about that unexpected sweetness and depth that blood oranges create. My buddy Sarah always said she hated tequila until she tried this version at my house last month.
Make It Ahead
The finished drink tastes best right away, but you can get things ready early to make entertaining easier. Juice and strain your blood oranges up to a day ahead, keeping the juice in a sealed container in the fridge. It might get a bit darker but will still taste great. You can also prep your glass rims and keep them uncovered in the fridge for about an hour before your friends show up.
Ingredient Swaps
Can't find blood oranges? Regular orange juice works too, though it won't look as dramatic. For a similar red color, try adding some pomegranate juice to your orange juice. If you don't have agave, mix equal parts honey and hot water for a substitute that adds extra flavor depth. Want a non-alcoholic version? Skip the tequila and triple sec, use more orange juice and add a splash of tonic water.
Serving Suggestions
These drinks go really well with Mexican food that has fresh avocado, like fish tacos or shrimp ceviche. The tartness cuts through rich foods perfectly. For a complete look, add blood orange pieces to a side salad with fennel and arugula. Serve in standard margarita glasses for casual nights or fancy coupe glasses when you want to impress.
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The History Behind Blood Oranges
Blood oranges first came from Sicily and Spain hundreds of years ago, where cool nights helped create their special color. While regular margaritas started in Mexico in the early 1900s using local limes, this version blends Old World and New World flavors. The deep red color in blood oranges comes from the same healthy compounds found in blueberries and other superfoods, so this drink isn't just pretty but has good plant stuff in it too.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can you use regular oranges for this?
Sure, but expect a different taste and color. Blood oranges are sharper and add a bold hue to the drink.
- → What's the ideal tequila for this drink?
Tequila blanco works best because its smoothness blends beautifully with the fruity and citrusy notes.
- → Can these margaritas be prepped ahead?
Absolutely, make them a few hours before and stash in the fridge. Just give them a good stir or shake before you serve.
- → What can replace triple sec?
Try Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or use an orange-flavored syrup for a no-alcohol option.
- → How do you rim a glass with salt or tajin?
Take a lime slice, rub it around the glass' rim, then dip it into a plate of tajin or salt, twisting to cover evenly.