Blood Orange Margaritas
Whip up these sublime Blood Orange Margaritas! Take advantage of the gorgeous citrus in the market to make these deeply hued, delicious margaritas!
The color alone makes this Blood Orange Cocktail a show stopper, but they are also tasty and refreshing.
Why You Should Make these Orange Margaritas
- I have to admit that a classic margarita is my absolute favorite cocktail, but the aroma of this combination of oranges and limes swayed me to the dark side, the blood orange side.
- Just look at the vibrant color of these margaritas! That makes these an easy sale!
- Even if you can’t find blood oranges, it’s OK use your favorite juice orange. Any orange margarita is delicious!
Expert Tips
- PRO-Tip: Use the best tequila for the best margaritas. It should be made with 100% agave spirits.
- PRO-Tip: Squeeze your own juice. It will taste so much better than if you make it with bottled juices.
- If you don’t have Cointreau on hand, feel free to use another orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Triple Sec.
- Don’t use a bottled mix. The basic recipe is very easy and you can tweak it to your palate.
- Garnish your rim with either salt or coarse sugar. The salt can be margarita salt which is specifically made to use for margaritas or kosher salt.
- Use ice cubes, not crushed ice in your cocktail shaker. The crushed ice will melt more quickly and dilute your margaritas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blood oranges are oranges with a high level of anthocyanin which gives them a crimson hue. A natural mutation of a regular sweet orange brought about this beautiful variety with a taste that’s a cross between an orange and raspberry, and tarter than a sweet navel orange.
Cool weather helps promote the production of anthocyanin, so the best growing season is between December and May. Grab some when they’re in season, and squeeze the juice to keep in the freezer for a quick margarita fix!
Blood oranges are gorgeous in salads, orange curd, and cocktails! Their deep color makes for an exquisite presentation!
First, in a pitcher, mix together the lime juice, sugar, and water until the sugar is dissolved, then add the rest of the ingredients.
Rub the rims of the margarita glasses with the cut side of half of a lime. Dip the rim into coarse salt or sugar to garnish.
Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, add about half the margarita mixture, then shake for about 15 seconds or until the mixture is chilled. Strain into the glasses.
Garnish the glasses with a slice of blood orange or a slice of lime if desired and serve!
More Delicious Cocktail Recipes:
- Tequila Sunrise Margarita from Creative Culinary
- White Cosmopolitans
- Classic Kir Royale
- Fresh Peach Margaritas
- Beer Margaritas
- How to Make Mimosas
- Homemade Kahlua
- More Classic Cocktails
Blood Orange Margarita Recipe
A vibrant twist on the margarita featuring blood oranges
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup silver tequila
- 1/2 cup Cointreau
- 2 cups fresh blood orange juice (about 6 oranges)
- A lime half for moistening the glass rims
- Kosher salt or sugar, for the rims of the glasses
Instructions
- Juice the blood oranges.
- In a pitcher, stir together the lime juice, sugar and ¾ cup water until the sugar has dissolved. Add the tequila, Cointreau and blood orange juice.
- Rub the rims of three 6-ounce martini glasses with the cut side of a lime half.
- Spread coarse salt or sugar on a small plate and press the rims of the glasses until coated.
- Fill a cocktail shaker about ¾ full of ice and measure in 1½ cups of the cocktail mix for 3 drinks. Cover and shake for about 15 seconds to thoroughly chill the mixture.
- Strain into the glasses. Garnish the glasses with a slice of blood orange and a slice of lime if desired.
Notes
Adapted from Rick Bayless via Cooking on the Ranch
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
9Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 147Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 82mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 1gSugar: 16gProtein: 1g
42 Comments on “Blood Orange Margaritas”
Looks fantastic and they’re so pretty! 🙂 I love blood orange, I found some the other day that I had somehow managed to fine here and they were orange inside. So disappointing.
I love the explosion of citrus happening right now! Sharing this loveliness on my page today 🙂
Blood oranges have such a beautiful flavour, I imagine this drink is divine!
I remember you’ve some recipes using blood red oranges too & I love it. I haven’t these in the supermarket tho. Mmm……
Such a great idea to start the new year with a sparkly cocktail, especially one with such vibrant flavor! I had such fun discovering Lea Ann’s blog and it’s clear you did too 🙂
Gorgeous drink and gorgeous photo, Liz! Love that thick rim of sparkling sugar!
I love the color of these margaritas. I have a bag of blood oranges in my fridge and I think these will be one of my weekend cocktails!
My favourite drink just from blood orange colour alone!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Girl you know I am sooooo down with this! LOVING this bad boy! A fabulous twist on a margarita!!
I think the best part of this drink is that ring of sugar. It really goes well with the drink. Thanks for the links and the shout out! I need to make that again this season before those oranges are out of season. And as far as that Pancetta wrapped shrimp…. make it .. and that’s an order! 🙂
Beautiful color of margarita you got there, Liz. Happy New Year! 🙂
It looks very festive:@)
Blood orange margarita sounds wonderful and it looks so attractive in that photo!
I just saw the first blood oranges of the season last night. Love this way to use them!
a really delicious Margarita Lizzy!! cheers !!!
Lots of drink recipes this month. I guess nobody gave up alcohol as a New Year’s Resolution LOL.
Beautiful, beautiful mixed drink…the color is lovely! I know what I’m doing with my stash of blood oranges! 😉
Not a cocktail drinker, but I really love the vibrant colour.
now that looks refreshing and so tasty! love the vibrant color
oooo l la, Liz, that sure does look like an inviting cocktail! Love that sparkly rim, lol…Blood Oranges are in abundance right now. I’m gonna get me some:)
Thanks for sharing, Liz…