Celebrate winter citrus season with a stunning blood orange margarita! Made with freshly squeezed blood orange and lime juices and a healthy dose of your favorite tequila, this vibrant blood orange margarita is perfectly zesty with a touch of natural citrus sweetness. You can make this citrusy drink as single servings or in a pitcher for easy entertaining -- everyone will love sipping on this delicious blood orange cocktail.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Blood orange season is here in all its glory, and margaritas never go out of season in my worldview. So let’s be sensible and bring the two together in this lovely, delicious recipe. Who’s with me?
I don’t know about you, but when blood orange season hits, I can’t stop picking these beauties off the shelf. That vibrant red hue makes for a cocktail that's sure to turn heads with its presentation, and you'll love the touch of sweetness that comes with the citrusy kick.
Bonus: Love your fruity margaritas? Make sure you also try my coconut margarita, cherry margarita and roasted strawberry margarita.
Ingredients
Now let's chat about a few ingredients notes to successfully make this delicious blood orange cocktail.
Best tequila for margaritas: I love a reposado tequila with my margaritas. Reposado tequila is aged in oak barrels from anywhere from a couple months to a year. This gives the liquor a more nuanced flavor with a smoother finish than blanco tequila, which generally goes straight into stainless steel barrels for fewer than 60 days for a cleaner, more agave-forward taste.
That said, it comes down to personal preference. Both tequilas make excellent margaritas, so you will have a delicious drink whether you use reposado or blanco, though I'm definitely partial to that oak barrel aging goodness.
Orange liqueur: Looking to make a top-shelf blood orange margarita? Grab the Grand Marnier or Cointreau. However, if you're perfectly fine with a house margarita, triple sec takes care of the job nicely.
Step-by-Step Instructions
OK, with our ingredients in hand, let’s get to it.
Step 1: We grab a cocktail shaker and add the blood orange juice, lime juice, tequila and orange liqueur (photo 1).
Step 2: To ensure our drink is perfectly chilled, we throw in some ice (photo 2). About a handful of ice will do.
Step 3: Now we pop on the top and give it a good shake (photo 3). I like to vigorously shake for about 15-30 seconds, which gives it enough time to develop condensation on the outside and perfectly chill the margarita.
Step 4: From here, we strain our blood orange margarita mix into our glass (photo 4).
Now all that's left is to sip, smile and repeat. Isn't that one tasty cocktail? You bet it is.
Recipe FAQs
Blood oranges are only in season from December through May. The only thing I don’t love about blood oranges is their short season, so let's try to consume as many blood oranges as possible these days. And if that means we have to drink a few more blood orange margaritas between now and May, so be it.
Absolutely, you can easily turn a single margarita into a pitcher recipe. In fact, I made a pitcher of blood orange margaritas for New Year's Eve, and not only was it a huge hit but it made entertaining a breeze.
Instead of using a cocktail shaker, we simply stir the ingredients in a pitcher until we're ready to serve. I recommend serving within 24 hours. After that, the citrus starts to lose its brightness. You can find the proportions in the notes section of the recipe card.
Fortunately, blood orange juice freezes well. I suggest buying a few extra, so you can enjoy this blood orange cocktails all year long. And trust me. Once you taste this cocktail, you’ll want to treat yourself to a blood orange margarita any time of year, so clear some freezer space. I promise you’ll be happy you did.
To do this, we cut a slit in the middle of a lime slice and run it around the rim of the glass. Sprinkle some sea salt on a small plate and turn the glass upside-down in the salt.
Give it a few twists to really cling on that salt. Go ahead and garnish with a slice of blood orange and some additional lime to jazz up that salted rim if you’re inclined.
Cocktail Variations
While this blood orange margarita is plenty delicious, sometimes it’s fun to put a unique spin on cocktails. Here are a few ideas to make this blood orange margarita with a twist.
- Muddle with jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Make an herb-infused simple syrup. If you’ve made my blood orange-rosemary gin and tonic, you already know how great that combination is.
- Mix in fresh strawberry purée.
- Add a splash of fresh cucumber juice for a refreshing twist.
- Top with club soda or ginger ale to make a sparkling blood orange margarita.
And these are just a few ideas. Margaritas are endlessly customizable, so feel free to get creative.
Expert Tips and FAQs
- Pick limes that have some give when lightly squeeze them. That means they’re nice and juicy. If you find one hard as a rock, keep looking.
- Before squeezing the lime juice, roll it firmly under the palm of your hand a few times. This releases the juices.
- Use a handheld juicer. You’ll maximize the juice output this way.
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a mason jar with a lid can take care of the job.
- Blood orange juice can stain. If your countertops are susceptible to stains, I recommend setting out paper towels, juicing slowly and wiping up any spots immediately.
Perfect Pairing
There isn't a more perfect pairing than this blood orange salmon! We slow roast the salmon and then top it with a ginger-infused blood orange glaze. You'll just love the touch of spice the ginger adds and how the citrus cuts through the rich, buttery texture of the salmon perfectly.
I hope you welcome citrus season with a batch of these blood orange margaritas. And don't forget to freeze some blood orange juice, so you can enjoy these margaritas all year long.
Cheers!
Love Your Margaritas?
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Blood Orange Margarita
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Citrus juicer
- Jigger or small measuring cup
Ingredients
- 2 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice about 1 orange
- 2 ounces tequila preferably reposado
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice about 1 lime
- 1 ounce orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier, Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt for garnish, optional
- 1 blood orange slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Pour blood orange juice, tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. Put the top on the shaker and shake for about 15-30 seconds until the cocktail shaker is frosty.
- Spread sea salt on a plate. Run the blood orange slice around the rim of a margarita glass and dip the glass in the salt. Add more ice to the margarita glass and strain the shaken margarita into the glass. Garnish with a blood orange slice if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- To make an eight-serving pitcher, stir together 2 cups blood orange juice, 2 cups tequila, 1 cup lime juice and 1 cup simple syrup in a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Stir the mixture again before serving. If you need to customize the serving quantity, use this formula: (ounces x servings) ÷ 8 = the cups measurement.
- Pick limes that have some give when lightly squeeze them. That means they’re nice and juicy. If you find one hard as a rock, keep looking.
- Before squeezing the lime juice, roll it firmly under the palm of your hand a few times. This releases the juices.
- Use a handheld juicer. You’ll maximize the juice output this way.
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a mason jar with a lid can take care of the job.
- Blood orange juice can stain. If your countertops are susceptible to stains, I recommend setting out paper towels, juicing slowly and wiping up any spots immediately.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Liz says
I love blood oranges, and this margarita is delicious! It has the perfect amount of blood orange flavor.
Debbie says
This Blood Orange Margarita is amazing! It has the perfect balance of flavors, not too sweet and not too tart. This is my new favorite cocktail to sip.
Maike says
Blood Orange Margaritas are one of my favorite flavored margaritas. They will always remind me of an amazing evening in Newport, RI. 🙂 Thank you for sharing and bringing back some great memories.
Lathiya says
The blood orange Margarita looks so gorgeous. What a lovely color it has. I love to try a non alcoholic version this.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'm sure it'd also be great with some sparkling water!
Stephanie says
Wow! This looks fabulous and I love blood oranges! I think this will be going on our valentine's menu!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Yay! That'll be such a fun way to celebrate. ❤️
Mimi says
Hands down, this is one of the most tasteful margaritas! That flavor is so vivid that you want to come back to it over and over again. Delicious recipe!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Glad to hear you love it! ❤️
April says
Well, you don't have to ask - I am with you! I enjoy blood oranges in all kinds of ways and blood orange margarita is just one of them!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Yes! It's the best. ?
Jacqueline Debono says
I love blood oranges. The best ones here in Italy come from Sicily! Never thought to use blood oranges in a margarita! Fabulous idea!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I bet you'll love it! I didn't realize Sicily grew blood oranges. I always learn so much from you. ?
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
This is my favorite type of margarita. I currently have some blood oranges and am planning to make margaritas with them. I love the sweet tart flavor from the orange- and the color too!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Hope you love it!
Anna Hettick says
This drink looks so pretty! I love all the bright preppy colors!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! I'm a sucker for a pretty cocktail. ?
Linda says
I've been wanting to try something with blood orange. As you mentioned, it tastes so good, refreshing, and that color looks so entertaining.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! They really do have the prettiest color.
Stine Mari says
Oh my gosh I was so excited when I saw this recipe that I almost hadn't time to read the full blog post! How DELICIOUS! I love love LOVE margaritas and I love love LOVE blood oranges! I am totally going to make this the second I find blood oranges!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you do! It's such a great way to enjoy that pure blood orange flavor. ?
Gloria says
Blood oranges are the BEST! I wish they were available all year round. This looks beautiful and I know would taste fantastic too.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thank you! Same here.
Kelly Anthony says
These blood orange margaritas are so pretty. I really like your suggestion of fish tacos with this margarita and would make the perfect date night at home.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
For sure! I love a good at-home date night with margaritas and tacos. ?❤️
Danielle Wolter says
I am a huge sucker for blood oranges. Not only are they beautiful, but they are so GOOD! I'm not a drinker, but I sure would drink a virgin version of this!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'm sure it would! I think some sparkling water as a substitute for the alcohol would be great. Dasani also makes a blood orange-flavored sparkling water that's super delicious and would be worth trying with it.