My Blood Orange Margarita Cocktail is the drink of the winter season, the delicate sweetness of blood orange juice takes this classic cocktail to a whole new level. Not to mention that awesome color ~ it practically glows!
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
Blood Orange Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 ounces fresh squeezed blood orange juice, about 2-3 blood oranges
- 2 ounces Triple Sec
- 3 ounces tequila
- 1 and 1/2 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice, plus more for rimming glasses
- kosher salt for rimming the glasses
Instructions
- Pour salt onto a small plate. Wet the rim of the glasses with water or lime juice and press the rims into the salt.
- Add the cocktail ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into 2 glasses with more ice. Garnish with a twist of blood orange peel or a thin slice of blood orange.
Make this blood orange Margarita cocktail your own ~
- You can substitute other orange liqueurs like Grand Marnier, curaçao, or Cointreau for the triple sec.
- Try tangerine juice if you can’t find blood oranges.
- Make it a mocktail and use sparkling water or club soda.
Thanks for pinning!
I love receiving your e-newsletters – always full of beautiful photos and great recipes! I also appreciate that you’re right here in the local Seacoast area! Thanks for all the recipe sharing you do!
Thanks so much Ann! Just fyi we’re no longer on the seacoast, we moved to Los Angeles, and then to Madison Wisconsin, so we’ve been on the move!
This cocktail is so delicious. Thank you!!