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I love all margaritas, but I have to admit, this Blood Orange Margarita is at the very top of my list. The sweet-tart flavor of fresh blood orange juice blends perfectly with tequila and lime for a cocktail that’s smooth, refreshing, and just the right balance of bold and citrusy. Add in that striking ruby-red color and a salty rim, and it’s a drink that truly satisfies all the senses—bright, zesty, and absolutely irresistible.
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Pin ItEasy Blood Orange Cocktail Recipe
I’m raising a toast to fresh blood oranges, zesty lime juice, and my favorite tequila this weekend (or honestly, any day that ends in “Y”). With just a few simple ingredients, I can shake up a margarita that feels totally Instagram-worthy—and even better, it tastes as good as it looks.
For me, this recipe hits the perfect balance of sweet and tart citrus flavor, but what I love most is how easy it is to make it your own. If I’m in the mood for something spicy, I’ll muddle a few jalapeño slices in the bottom of my glass before adding ice, or rim the glass with chili-lime seasoning for that extra kick.
You might notice I skip the usual orange liqueurs like Cointreau or Triple Sec. That’s intentional—I find blood oranges are so bright, floral, and complex on their own that those additions tend to overpower the flavor. This way, the blood orange really shines through, and trust me, it makes all the difference.
Tips for Beginners
- No juicer, no problem. If you don’t have a juicer, cut the limes and blood oranges in half, and squeeze over clean hands to catch seeds before they fall into your drink.
- Tequila of choice. I prefer gold tequila for its woody, deeper flavor, but you could use reposado or blanco/silver.
- Fresh squeezed is best. While you can use bottled store-bought blood orange juice, freshly squeezed lime juice is a must! If you do go the store-bought route, make sure the juice is 100% juice and unsweetened.
- Add seltzer after shaking. Do not add the seltzer to the cocktail shaker. It will cause the cocktail to fizz and leak.
Blood Orange Margarita Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 3 oz. gold tequila
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice from 1 lime
- 1 oz. fresh blood orange juice from ½ blood orange
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 1 oz. sparkling water
- lime wedge for rimming
- margarita salt or coarse sea salt, for rimming
- blood orange slices optional, for garnish
- mint leaves optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge along the rim of your glass and dip into margarita salt.margarita salt, lime wedge
- In a shaker with ice, combine the tequila, lime juice, blood orange juice, and simple syrup.3 oz. gold tequila, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 1 oz. fresh blood orange juice, 1 oz. simple syrup
- Shake well for 15-20 seconds or until the shaker feels chilled. Pour over your prepared glass with ice.
- Top off the drink with sparkling water.1 oz. sparkling water
- Garnish with a blood orange slice and mint if desired. Enjoy!blood orange slices, mint leaves
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Blood Orange Margaritas Step by Step
Prepare the glass: Run a lime wedge along the rim of your glass and then dip the glass into margarita salt.
Prepare the margarita: In a shaker filled with ice, combine 3 oz. gold tequila, 1 oz. fresh lime juice, 1 oz. fresh blood orange juice, and 1 oz. simple syrup.
Shake the shaker well for 15-20 seconds or until it feels chilled. Pour over your prepared glass with ice.
Pour in 1 oz. sparkling water.
Serve: Garnish the glass with a blood orange slice and mint if desired. Enjoy!
How to Store
To store a blood orange margarita for later, combine the tequila, lime juice, blood orange juice, and simple syrup in a glass and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy your margarita, add this mixture to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake it up, then add the seltzer.
Serving Suggestions
This great recipe is just the starting point for your next girls’ night, parents’ night, or taco night! I recommend pairing it with your favorite tortilla chips and my white queso recipe and birria tacos—the smooth citrus will balance out the spicy, rich flavors of these dishes. Fill a large pitcher with this great cocktail and set it out alongside mini fried taco pizza pockets for a game-day feast. For an afternoon pick-me-up, you can pair this with the sweet, smoky flavors of a grilled peach salad.
