Blood Orange Margarita Cocktail

We can’t let citrus season pass without a great cocktail, and this one definitely delivers. I’m usually a wine drinker, but this divine blood orange Margarita has got me reconsidering all that. I had one at a favorite restaurant the other night and after one sip I knew I had to recreate it and share it with you guys.

Why this is the perfect cocktail ~

It’s fruity ~ but not too sweet.  I don’t like overly sweet cocktails and so while a lot of Margarita recipes use simple syrup, I don’t add it here. The fresh squeezed blood orange juice is floral, lightly acidic, and provides just the right amount of sweetness.

It’s gorgeous ~ but packs a punch.  Yes it happens to be stunningly gorgeous, but it’s a real cocktail: the tequila and triple sec see to that.

It’s seasonal, the best kind of cocktail.  Blood oranges aren’t available all year long, and that just makes this taste all the better.

The ‘blood’ in blood oranges refers to the red color in the flesh, and that comes from a pigment called anthocyanin. It’s the same pigment in blueberries, black rice, and even purple pansies!

If you’ve bought blood oranges before you might have been surprised that they don’t always look the same inside. There are multiple varieties, and it isn’t always easy to tell them apart, unless they’re labeled. The flesh can range from orange with a tinge of red, to full on blush colored, to deep dark purple, almost black. The good news is that the flavor is amazing no matter what kind you get your hands on.

Varieties of blood orange ~

• MORO: the most commonly available and most pigmented of all the blood oranges, they can range from deep burgundy to almost black. The juice is incredibly vibrant.
• SANGUINELLO: this variety tends to be extra sweet, and orange colored with red streaks.
• TAROCCO: another extra sweet variety, with speckled orange and red flesh.

Tip: Want to stretch blood orange season so you can enjoy this cocktail all year long? Juice blood oranges when they’re in season, then fill ice cube trays and freeze. When frozen, load the cubes in a sturdy zip lock freezer bag, you’ll never be without this blush nectar. Defrost as needed!

tvfgi recommends: a sturdy cocktail shaker

This classic stainless steel shaker has great reviews on Amazon, and is something every well stocked kitchen needs, even if you don’t make cocktails often. When the occasion calls for it, you can mix up two drinks at a time, and you’ll look professional doing it.

I’m definitely blood orange-obsessed, and I’m pretty sure everyone who has ever tried them feels the same. I have so many great recipes inspired by blood oranges it’s hard to know where to start ~ if you want something sweet, try my Blood Orange Jam or my Blood Orange Crumble Bars. If you’d like to experiment with using these gorgeous citrus fruits in a savory recipe, try out Roast Chicken with Blood Orange and Olives, or this fun Fish with Blood Orange and Thyme in Parchment.

Reader Rave ~

“The best margarita! Great taste and such a gorgeous color. Thanks for the recipe.”  ~ Suzanne