Blood Orange Margarita

This blood orange margarita adds a bright pop of natural color to the traditional margarita!

Blood Orange Season

Blood orange are typically in season from December through April. These beautifully colored citrus fruits tend to be a smaller in size than the more common orange varieties.

How to blood oranges differ from naval oranges or other common oranges? First off, blood oranges tastes little different. Some varieties are sweeter, while other varieties are more tart. They have less seeds. And, the most obvious difference, is the striking color inside the fruit!

Farmers’ markets are the best place to purchase blood oranges. That’s where you’ll be able to find the most varieties. Otherwise, major supermarkets will carry one or two varieties during high peak season (usually sometime in February).

While blood oranges are the star this festive margarita, you may substitute in whatever oranges you can find. If you cannot find blood oranges, use these more common oranges instead:

• Valencia oranges are best for juicing.
• Cara cara oranges taste the sweetest!
• Navel oranges are the most commonly available year round.

Margarita Perfect for Holiday Season

Who doesn’t love a good margarita? Absolutely no one. This classic cocktail is a favorite for good reason.

Classic margaritas have three ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau (orange liqueur). This easy base is a fantastic jumping point for adding additional flavors.

This blood orange margarita intensifies the citrus notes of Cointreau. It adds a vibrant and festive pop of color perfect during the holiday season.

Best of all, this cocktail can be make ahead of time as a pitcher margarita! More details in the recipe card.

Related Blood Orange Recipes: Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail, Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake, Blood Orange Donuts.

Recommended Tequila for Mixed Drinks

Patron sent over the limited edition holiday 1-liter blanco tequila bottle photographed above. It’s the perfect size for end of year parties and gatherings.

There are so many tequilas to choose from. This blood orange margarita tastes best with blanco or gold tequila.

• Blanco (white or silver): clear color, unaged or quickly aged in stainless steel barrels. This is great for mixing into cocktails because of its agave forward flavor and strong impression.

• Gold: gold in color, usually a combination of blanco and resposado. Most of the time, blanco tequila is mixed with caramel coloring to make it look aged and sold as “gold.”

I recommend using blank for all tequila based cocktail. Reserve the aged (more expensive) tequila for sipping neat or enjoying on the rocks.

How to Salt the Rim of Cocktail Glass

There are two effective ways to salt a cocktail glass. The image above shows the most popular way. Moisten the rim of the serving glass with a slice of blood orange or any citrus (lemon, lime, or orange). Invert glass into a plate of coarse rock salt.

Or, for a sweeter option, moisten the rim of the serving glass with honey or agave. Then, invert glass into coarse salt. The honey method is the best way to achieve the salt lip as shown in this cucumber margarita.

For a super festive touch, rim the glass with a mixture of coarse salt and gold sanding sugar as shown in this pomegranate margarita.

Mix Together Cocktail

Add salt rim to your serving glass. Then, add ice. If you like your margaritas strong, use a large ice cube. It will melt slower, thus diluting your drink slowly.

Fill a shaker or mixing glass with ice (crushed ice is best for this). Add all ingredients to shaker and stir to combine. Strain chilled margarita into prepared serving glass. Garnish and serve immediately.

Pitcher Margarita

Easily turn this single serving blood orange margarita into a party size pitcher margarita! Average pitcher size holds 64 ounces ( equal to 8 cups or half a gallon). The following recipe makes 12 servings.

In a pitcher, combine:

• 24 oz silver tequila
• 9 oz orange liqueur
• 12 oz blood orange juice
• 6 oz lime juice
• 6 oz simple syrup

Cover and keep in the fridge overnight. Don’t push it past 24 hours. Overtime, the bright blood orange color will fade and turn murky. Ideally, serve the mixed cocktail within 12 hours of mixing together.

When ready to serve, pour over ice. Ideally, each serving should be 4.75 oz. It may taste strong at first. However, the ice will melt into the cocktail letting it mellow out a little bit.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this colorful margarita in a clear old-fashioned glass. Garnish glass rim with coarse salt.

For further embellishment, garnish assembled cocktail with fresh blood orange slice or wedge. For aromatics, add a fresh sprig of thyme or rosemary.

To prevent the cocktail from diluting too fast, use large ice cubes. I recommend this large silicone ice cube tray or this extra-large tray with lid.

More Tequila Cocktail Recipes

• Raspberry Tequila Sunrise
• Honey Paloma
• Calamansi Margarita