I’m excited to share my Spicy Blood Orange Margarita featuring fresh blood orange juice, a vivid blood orange garnish, an optional Tajin rim, and thin jalapeño slices for a striking, colorful cocktail.

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I fell for this Spicy Blood Orange Margarita the minute I saw that bloody red wheel perched on the glass. I like to keep things bright so I reach for blanco tequila and a big blood orange wheel for drama, it makes the drink look like art and taste like mischief.

It’s zingy, a little fierce, not the kind of thing you sip shyly, and yes I’ll admit I often go for Tajin rimmed drinks when I want that extra pop. If you want something that wakes up the party this one’s trouble in the best way.

Ingredients

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Blanco tequila adds bright agave heat, no carbs protein, mostly alcohol calories
Orange liqueur brings sweetness and citrus aroma, it’s sugary and adds extra calories
Blood orange juice gives sweet tart flavor, vitamin C, some natural sugars
Fresh lime juice is sour bright, low calorie, adds acidity and freshness
Agave syrup sweetens smoothly, mostly carbs sugar, so use sparingly
Jalapeno adds spicy kick, tiny vitamins, capsaicin may boost metabolism slightly
Tajin gives salty tang and chili notes, enhances flavor, adds sodium

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz blanco tequila (about 60 ml)

3/4 oz Cointreau or triple sec (about 22 ml)

1 oz fresh blood orange juice (about 30 ml)

1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 15 ml)

1/2 oz agave syrup (about 15 ml) or simple syrup

3 thin slices fresh jalapeno

Tajin seasoning or kosher salt

Blood orange wheel or slice for garnish

How to Make this

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1. Rim a rocks or coupe glass: rub a lime wedge around the rim, dip into Tajin or kosher salt, set aside and fill the glass with fresh ice.

2. In a shaker add 3 thin slices fresh jalapeno and 1/2 oz agave syrup (or simple syrup), muddle gently to release just a bit of heat, dont pulverize the seeds.

3. Add 2 oz blanco tequila (about 60 ml), 3/4 oz Cointreau or triple sec (about 22 ml), 1 oz fresh blood orange juice (about 30 ml) and 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 15 ml) to the shaker.

4. Fill the shaker with ice, secure the lid and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds until the outside is frosty.

5. Double strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice using a cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch jalapeno bits and pulp.

6. Taste, and if you want it sweeter add a tiny splash more agave, or if too sweet add a few drops more lime, its easy to adjust.

7. Garnish with a blood orange wheel or slice on the rim and, if you like extra heat, float a thin jalapeno slice on top.

8. If you prefer a cleaner look or less heat, let the jalapeno slices steep in the tequila for a few minutes before mixing, then remove most of them before shaking.

9. Serve immediately, warn guests about the jalapeno, and enjoy this bright, spicy midwinter pick me up.

Equipment Needed

1. Rocks or coupe glass for serving, rimmed with Tajin or salt
2. Cocktail shaker, cobbler or Boston style
3. Jigger or measuring spoons for 2 oz, 3/4 oz and 1/2 oz pours
4. Muddler to gently bruise the jalapeno slices, dont pulverize seeds
5. Cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer for double straining
6. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer for blood orange and lime juice
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for slicing fruit and jalapeno
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a bowl or bin to hold ice
9. Bar spoon for small adjustments and a small dish to hold Tajin or salt for rimming

FAQ

Q: Can I use regular oranges if I can't find blood oranges? A: Yes, use navel or cara cara, same amount. The taste will be a bit sweeter and the color wont be that deep red, but it still makes a great margarita.

Q: How do I make it less spicy or more spicy? A: For less heat use 1 jalapeno slice and remove the seeds. For more heat leave seeds in or muddle extra slices in the shaker. Taste as you go, jalapeno heat varies a lot.

Q: Should I rim the glass with Tajin or salt and how? A: Rub a lime wedge around the rim then dip into Tajin or kosher salt. Tajin adds a tangy chile kick, salt is more traditional. Either works, pick what you like.

Q: Can I make this ahead or batch it for a party? A: Yes, mix the tequila, Cointreau, citrus and syrup and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Dont add ice or jalapeno slices until serving or the flavor gets duller.

Q: How do I make a non alcoholic version? A: Swap tequila and Cointreau for 2 oz nonalcoholic tequila alternative or 2 oz sparkling water plus extra fresh orange, and use 3/4 oz extra orange juice or a tiny drop of orange extract to mimic triple sec. Keep the lime and agave the same.

Q: Is 1/2 oz agave the right sweetness? A: Start with 1/2 oz, taste, then add more if your blood oranges are very tart. Blood oranges can be sweet so you might even cut the syrup a bit.

Spicy Margarita With Blood Orange Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Blanco tequila: swap with reposado tequila, 1:1. It’s smoother and a little oaky so the drink feels rounder not harsher.
Cointreau or triple sec: swap with Grand Marnier, 1:1. Adds richer orange + cognac notes, a touch more warmth.
Blood orange juice: if you dont have it use fresh navel orange juice plus 1/4 oz pomegranate juice or a splash of grenadine for color and tartness, keep total volume the same.
Fresh jalapeño slices: use serrano instead but use half the amount since it’s hotter, or use 1–2 dashes of jalapeño or chipotle hot sauce if you want easy, consistent heat.

Pro Tips

– make a jalapeno agave instead of muddling every time. gently warm agave with a couple thin jalapeno slices for a few minutes, let it cool and strain. you get steady, predictable heat and no floating seeds, plus you can dial it stronger or milder ahead of time.

– grate a tiny bit of blood orange zest over the finished drink and rub a little on the rim before you Tajin it. the oils hit your nose first so the cocktail tastes brighter without adding more sugar or juice.

– keep everything cold. chill the tequila, juices and shaker ahead of time so you dont have to ice the drink down as much; less melt means a brighter, cleaner flavor.

– make a 1 or 2 ounce test pour before you mix for a crowd. adjust heat and sweetness in that small sample, use a drop of saline or a pinch of salt to lift flavors if it feels flat, and then scale up once you know the balance you like.

Spicy Margarita With Blood Orange Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

260

kcal

Equipment: 1. Rocks or coupe glass for serving, rimmed with Tajin or salt
2. Cocktail shaker, cobbler or Boston style
3. Jigger or measuring spoons for 2 oz, 3/4 oz and 1/2 oz pours
4. Muddler to gently bruise the jalapeno slices, dont pulverize seeds
5. Cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer for double straining
6. Citrus juicer or handheld reamer for blood orange and lime juice
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for slicing fruit and jalapeno
8. Ice scoop or tongs and a bowl or bin to hold ice
9. Bar spoon for small adjustments and a small dish to hold Tajin or salt for rimming

Ingredients

2 oz blanco tequila (about 60 ml)
3/4 oz Cointreau or triple sec (about 22 ml)
1 oz fresh blood orange juice (about 30 ml)
1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 15 ml)
1/2 oz agave syrup (about 15 ml) or simple syrup
3 thin slices fresh jalapeno
Tajin seasoning or kosher salt
Blood orange wheel or slice for garnish
Ice

Directions

Rim a rocks or coupe glass: rub a lime wedge around the rim, dip into Tajin or kosher salt, set aside and fill the glass with fresh ice.
In a shaker add 3 thin slices fresh jalapeno and 1/2 oz agave syrup (or simple syrup), muddle gently to release just a bit of heat, dont pulverize the seeds.
Add 2 oz blanco tequila (about 60 ml), 3/4 oz Cointreau or triple sec (about 22 ml), 1 oz fresh blood orange juice (about 30 ml) and 1/2 oz fresh lime juice (about 15 ml) to the shaker.
Fill the shaker with ice, secure the lid and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds until the outside is frosty.
Double strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice using a cocktail strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch jalapeno bits and pulp.
Taste, and if you want it sweeter add a tiny splash more agave, or if too sweet add a few drops more lime, its easy to adjust.
Garnish with a blood orange wheel or slice on the rim and, if you like extra heat, float a thin jalapeno slice on top.
If you prefer a cleaner look or less heat, let the jalapeno slices steep in the tequila for a few minutes before mixing, then remove most of them before shaking.
Serve immediately, warn guests about the jalapeno, and enjoy this bright, spicy midwinter pick me up.

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.