Refreshing Blood Orange Margaritas

This dazzling blood orange margarita puts a bright ruby twist on the traditional cocktail, perfectly mixing sweet and tangy citrus flavors. Fresh blood orange juice blends with classic margarita elements to create a drink that's both fancy and fun—just right for wowing guests or treating yourself to something special.

I whipped up these blood orange margaritas during a winter get-together when these fruits were in season. Everyone was blown away by the vivid color, and now I can't help making them whenever blood oranges appear at the market. That amazing ruby color alone gets people talking.

Ingredients

• Tequila blanco: Offers that pure agave taste which lets the blood orange really pop compared to darker aged tequilas
• Fresh blood orange juice: Gives you that eye-catching color plus sweet citrus flavor with hints of raspberry
• Fresh lime juice: Adds that zingy kick and true margarita tang
• Cointreau or triple sec: Brings in that must-have orange flavor and cuts through the tartness
• Simple syrup or agave nectar: Lets you control how sweet you want it without drowning out the fruit
• Tajin or salt for rimming: Creates that tasty contrast that makes the sweet citrus pop even more
• Ice: Cools everything down and softens the flavors just right
• Orange and lime slices: Makes your drink look extra fancy with minimal effort

How To Make Blood Orange Margaritas

Prepare Your Shaker:

Put ice cubes in your cocktail shaker until it's about a third full. Fresh ice works best so your drink gets nice and cold without getting watery. You'll hear that nice clinking sound when the ice hits the metal.

Combine The Liquids:

Add 4 ounces tequila blanco, 3 ounces fresh-squeezed blood orange juice, 2 ounces lime juice, 2 ounces Cointreau, and 1 ounce simple syrup or agave into your icy shaker. These exact amounts make sure everything tastes balanced.

Shake Thoroughly:

Pop the lid on tight and shake hard for about 15 seconds. This doesn't just make it cold but also mixes everything perfectly. The shaker should feel frosty in your hands when you're done.

Prepare The Glasses:

Rub a lime wedge around the tops of two glasses, then dip the wet edges into some Tajin or salt. This makes the glasses look cool and tastes amazing with the drink. Fill both glasses with fresh ice.

Serve And Garnish:

Pour the drink evenly into both glasses. It'll be a beautiful ruby red color. Add some blood orange and lime slices to make it look extra nice and smell amazing. Let the fruit sit partly on the rim or float on top.

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I fell in love with blood oranges after trying them in Sicily where they grow all over. The stuff that makes them red also gives them a flavor you just can't get from regular oranges. Whenever I fix this drink, I think about walking through those Sicilian markets where sellers proudly showed off their beautiful red fruits.

Seasonal Considerations

Blood oranges don't stick around long, usually just from December through May, tasting best in winter. Since they're only around for a short time, these margaritas feel like a special treat. If you find lots of blood oranges, squeeze them and freeze the juice in ice cube trays to enjoy these drinks when they're out of season. Just thaw the cubes when you want that fresh taste outside of winter.

Make It Your Own

You can easily change this drink to fit what you like. Want some heat? Crush a thin jalapeño slice in the shaker before adding everything else. Don't like it too sweet? Cut back to half an ounce of simple syrup. Looking for more depth? Try reposado tequila instead of blanco for hints of vanilla and oak. Don't drink alcohol? No problem—mix orange bitters with sparkling water instead of the tequila and triple sec.

Serving Suggestions

These bright drinks go great with Mexican food, especially dishes with citrus or seafood. They taste amazing with fish tacos, ceviche, or chicken that's been marinated in citrus and grilled. They're also a fun switch from mimosas at brunch. For parties, set up a blood orange margarita bar with different rims like vanilla salt, brown sugar, or Tajin.

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Storage Tips

These drinks taste best when freshly made, but you can mix everything except the ice up to 24 hours ahead. Keep it in a closed container in the fridge, then shake with ice right before serving. The blood orange juice might separate a bit while stored, so just stir it before shaking. Don't store it with ice for too long or it'll get watery and lose that amazing color and flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What makes Blood Orange Margaritas special?

The freshly squeezed blood orange juice gives a bright color and unique, sweet-tart flavor.

→ Is there an alternative to tequila blanco?

You could swap tequila blanco for reposado tequila if you prefer a richer, oakier taste. Blanco is milder though.

→ Can I replace cointreau in the recipe?

If needed, switch cointreau for another triple sec. Grand Marnier’s also a great call for an orange liqueur twist!

→ How do I add a tajin or salt rim?

Take a lime slice, rub it along the rim, then dip the glass edge in tajin or salt. Simple, but adds a kick!

→ Can this drink be made alcohol-free?

Absolutely! Ditch the tequila and triple sec. Go for sparkling water, orange juice, and a splash of lime for a tangy mocktail.