I created a Fresh Blood Orange Margarita that uses a simple Blood Orange Margarita Mix and fresh juice, eliminating the need for simple syrup.

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I never meant to chase citrus season, but this Easy & Fresh Blood Orange Margarita hooked me. I keep it simple with blanco tequila 100% agave if you can and fresh blood orange juice for that wild color and tang.

It kind of sits between a Tequila Orange Juice Cocktail and those Good Summer Cocktails you only make when friends show up, bright not heavy. I like that its honest, a little flawed and really refreshing; it makes you pause and wonder how something so simple can taste so complex.

Trust me, you’ll want to try it.

Ingredients

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Clean agave spirit, virtually no carbs or protein, gives bright warmth and a bite
Sweet orange liqueur, adds citrus sweetness and aromatic orange notes, a little sugar
Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, tart and sweet, gives that deep color
Sharp acidity, lots of vitamin C, balances sweetness and lifts the whole drink
Natural sweetener, mostly sugars, smooths edges without tasting fake, use sparingly
Salt adds contrast, Tajin adds chili kick and extra tang, enhances flavors
Pretty, aromatic, tiny flavor boost when you squeeze it into the drink

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz blanco tequila 100% agave if you can

1 oz Cointreau or a good triple sec

1 oz fresh blood orange juice (about 1 medium blood orange)

1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)

1/4 oz agave nectar optional, add more if you like it sweeter

Coarse salt or Tajin for the rim, to taste

Blood orange wheel or slice for garnish

Ice cubes

How to Make this

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1. Chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with ice while you prep, then set aside so the drink stays cold.

2. Roll the blood orange and the lime on the counter first, it really helps get more juice out. Cut them and squeeze about 1 ounce blood orange juice and 1/2 ounce lime juice into a small bowl or jigger, strain through a fine mesh if you don’t want pulp.

3. If you want a salted rim, rub the lime half around the glass rim then dip the rim into coarse salt or Tajin, whatever you like, set the glass aside.

4. In a shaker add 2 ounces blanco tequila, 1 ounce Cointreau or good triple sec, the blood orange and lime juices, and 1/4 ounce agave nectar if you want sweetness.

5. Add plenty of ice to the shaker, close it up and shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.

6. Dump the ice from your chilled glass and fill with fresh ice cubes.

7. Strain the margarita into the glass over the fresh ice. If you like a bit of pulp skip the fine strain, if you want it smooth use the strainer.

8. Taste it, add a little more agave if you want it sweeter, stir gently, then garnish with a blood orange wheel on the rim and serve right away.

Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler style), or a large jar with a tight lid if you’re in a pinch
2. Jigger or small measuring cup, for accurate 2 oz and 1 oz pours
3. Fine mesh strainer, for a smooth margarita if you want to skip the pulp
4. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer, and don’t forget to roll the blood orange and lime first to get more juice
5. Sharp knife and cutting board, for halving and slicing the fruit
6. Rocks or margarita glass, chilled ahead or filled with ice while you prep
7. Small shallow plate or saucer, for the coarse salt or Tajin rim
8. Bar spoon or long stirring spoon, to gently mix in extra agave if needed
9. Ice scoop or tongs and plenty of fresh ice cubes, you’ll need lots for shaking and serving

FAQ

Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?

Yes you can, but the flavor will be sweeter and less tart and the color will be orange not pink.

What tequila should I buy?

Use a blanco 100 percent agave if you can. It keeps the cocktail bright and clean tasting. Mid range is fine, no need to use a super expensive bottle.

How do I juice a blood orange without a juicer?

Roll it on the counter pressing down first then cut in half and squeeze by hand or use a fork to help get more juice out.

Can I make a pitcher for a party?

Yes multiply the ingredients by the number of servings, mix in a pitcher and keep chilled. Add ice to individual glasses so the pitcher does not get watered down.

How long can I keep leftovers?

Best right away. If you must store it keep in the fridge up to 24 hours but fresh juice will lose brightness.

Salt or Tajin for the rim which is better?

Salt gives the classic taste, Tajin adds a tangy spicy kick. Both work so pick what you like.

Easy & Fresh Blood Orange Margarita Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Blanco tequila: swap for reposado tequila for a smoother, oakier vibe, or use mezcal if you want a smoky twist (use same 2 oz but mezcal tastes stronger).
Cointreau / triple sec: swap for Grand Marnier for a richer orange and cognac note, or use orange curaçao or any good orange liqueur if thats what you have.
Fresh blood orange juice: if you dont have blood oranges, use fresh navel or cara cara orange juice (add a splash of lime to brighten), or mix regular orange juice with a little grenadine for color.
Agave nectar: swap for simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) or honey syrup (equal parts honey and warm water), start small and add more if you like it sweeter.

Pro Tips

– Roll the citrus on the counter and warm them a little in your hands or 8 to 10 seconds in the microwave, it really helps get more juice out, then use a fork or reamer to squeeze more without fighting seeds. If you dont like bits, strain it, if you do, leave the pulp for texture.

– Shake with lots of ice until the shaker is frosty so the drink chills and dilutes properly, then pour over fresh big ice cubes in the glass so it doesnt water down fast. Chill the glass ahead too, even just a few minutes in the freezer makes a difference.

– Taste as you go and add agave slowly, a little at a time, since blood orange sweetness can vary. A tiny pinch of salt or a Tajin rim will make the citrus pop and lets you use less sweetener.

– Use a good Cointreau if you can, it gives cleaner orange notes than most cheap triple secs, and pick a 100 percent agave blanco tequila for brightness. For garnish, squeeze the orange peel over the top to spray the oils on the surface, looks fancy and smells great.

Easy & Fresh Blood Orange Margarita Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I created a Fresh Blood Orange Margarita that uses a simple Blood Orange Margarita Mix and fresh juice, eliminating the need for simple syrup.

Servings

servings

Calories

270

kcal

Equipment: 1. Cocktail shaker (Boston or cobbler style), or a large jar with a tight lid if you’re in a pinch
2. Jigger or small measuring cup, for accurate 2 oz and 1 oz pours
3. Fine mesh strainer, for a smooth margarita if you want to skip the pulp
4. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer, and don’t forget to roll the blood orange and lime first to get more juice
5. Sharp knife and cutting board, for halving and slicing the fruit
6. Rocks or margarita glass, chilled ahead or filled with ice while you prep
7. Small shallow plate or saucer, for the coarse salt or Tajin rim
8. Bar spoon or long stirring spoon, to gently mix in extra agave if needed
9. Ice scoop or tongs and plenty of fresh ice cubes, you’ll need lots for shaking and serving

Ingredients

2 oz blanco tequila 100% agave if you can
1 oz Cointreau or a good triple sec
1 oz fresh blood orange juice (about 1 medium blood orange)
1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about half a lime)
1/4 oz agave nectar optional, add more if you like it sweeter
Coarse salt or Tajin for the rim, to taste
Blood orange wheel or slice for garnish
Ice cubes

Directions

Chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill it with ice while you prep, then set aside so the drink stays cold.
Roll the blood orange and the lime on the counter first, it really helps get more juice out. Cut them and squeeze about 1 ounce blood orange juice and 1/2 ounce lime juice into a small bowl or jigger, strain through a fine mesh if you don't want pulp.
If you want a salted rim, rub the lime half around the glass rim then dip the rim into coarse salt or Tajin, whatever you like, set the glass aside.
In a shaker add 2 ounces blanco tequila, 1 ounce Cointreau or good triple sec, the blood orange and lime juices, and 1/4 ounce agave nectar if you want sweetness.
Add plenty of ice to the shaker, close it up and shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.
Dump the ice from your chilled glass and fill with fresh ice cubes.
Strain the margarita into the glass over the fresh ice. If you like a bit of pulp skip the fine strain, if you want it smooth use the strainer.
Taste it, add a little more agave if you want it sweeter, stir gently, then garnish with a blood orange wheel on the rim and serve right away.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.