This twist on the classic margarita utilizes vibrant blood oranges to create a cocktail that's as delicious as it is beautiful!
Jump to RecipeA Deliciously Different Margarita Recipe
Who doesn't love a good margarita? It's the most popular mixed drink in the United States, and for a good reason! The zest of the lime juice paired with the salt along the glass rim yields an irresistible taste. It makes the perfect refreshment for a hot day and pairs beautifully with an endless number of delicious recipes. Either way, you can't go wrong with a delicious, cold margarita!
The only thing better than a margarita is a new and improved recipe! This margarita recipe is a unique twist on the classic cocktail. Featuring freshly squeezed juice from seasonal blood oranges, this drink is delightfully sweet and refreshing! With the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, the blood orange organically adds layers of flavor. Plus, the beautiful deep red hue of the orange juice yields a dreamy color that makes these margaritas impossible to resist!
So, if you're looking to mix up the traditional margarita, this recipe is for you! One sip of this blood orange margarita will leave you hooked! Not only will the flavor impress, but the unique red tones of this drink will leave you captivated. Bonus points if you garnish your drink with a salt rim and dried blood oranges to complete the experience! With a vibrant blush color and a citrus burst of flavor, this blood orange margarita is a must try!
Jump to:
- A Deliciously Different Margarita Recipe
- What is a Blood Orange?
- Health Benefits of Blood Oranges
- The Basics of the Margarita
- Ingredients
- Equipment
- Simple Ingredients for a Stunning Margarita
- Shaking It Up!
- Elevate Your Presentation
- How to Make Dried Orange Slices
- Other Recipe Suggestions
- Blood Orange Margarita
What is a Blood Orange?
Don't be fooled by this fruit. The exterior may resemble that of a regular navel orange, but the interior and taste of the blood orange is drastically different. The interior of the fruit is a dark red color, hence the name "blood orange". The color comes from a pigment called anthocyanin. This pigment develops only when night temperatures reach low numbers. Anthocyanin starts to develop along the outskirts of the interior of the fruit before making its way to the center. This will result in streaks of red that are prominently displayed in the blood orange. This is the same pigment that gives raspberries and blackberries their beautiful color!
So, what does it taste like? Well, the blood orange has a fairly complex flavor profile. While it does resemble some notes of the navel orange, it's actually sweeter and less acidic. Although less acidic, the blood orange has tart notes to it that some may even call 'sour'. This tartness is balanced by the sweet, floral notes of the blood orange. This sweetness resembles that of a berry, such as a raspberry. The overall taste of the blood oranges varies from region in which its produced, as well as the time of year.
The blood orange originates in the southern Mediterranean region, such as Malta or Spain. This region is perfect for blood oranges as the fall and winter nights yield the perfect conditions for the anthocyanin to develop. Today, the blood orange is also produced in California. With it's Mediterranean-like climate, California offers the perfect environment for the blood orange to grow. Depending on where the blood orange is produced, it's in season from roughly November-May. Note that blood oranges are in their peak season from December-March and have the best flavor during these months!
Health Benefits of Blood Oranges
It's no surprise that the blood orange offers a variety of health benefits. Much like other fruits in the citrus family, the blood orange is a great source of nutrition. Not to mention, they're abundant in healthy sugars, dietary fibers, potassium, magnesium and more. There are certain health benefits of the blood orange that stand out amongst the rest though. Let's break them down:
- High in antioxidants: Another interesting fact about anthocyanin is that it's a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells against free radicals. Furthermore, they reduce the risk of many diseases, like heart disease and certain cancers.
- Immune-boosting: Similar to navel oranges, the blood orange is packed with vitamin C. Vitamin C is responsible for boosting your immune system and supporting healthy blood vessels. It can also help lower cholesterol levels!
- Can promote weight loss: This fruit is high in fiber and low in calories. This means that the fruit will keep you full for longer! The blood orange serves as a great snack for weight loss and overall health!
So, there you have it! Blood oranges aren't just a pretty fruit with a delicious taste. These fruits offer so many benefits that help keep your body healthy and happy. All the more reason to enjoy them while they're in season!
The Basics of the Margarita
A classic margarita is quite simple! A margarita will include about one to two ounces of silver tequila, one ounce of orange liqueur, and three fourths ounce freshly squeezed lime juice. For the orange liqueur, typically Cointreau, Grand Mariner or Triple Sec are used. Furthermore, optional sweeteners would include agave nectar or simple syrup. Store-bought margarita mix combines the lime juice and orange liqueur, so that all you have to add is the tequila. However, I recommend opting out of margarita mix as it is very sugary and over processed.
Then, you add your ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for about 10 seconds. Finally, pour the margarita blend into a prepared cocktail glass. If you'd like, you can line the rim of your glass with salt or tajin to elevate the basic flavors of the margarita. A classic margarita is a simple, fast and refreshing mixed drink to serve guests.
Did you know that there are two distinct ways to make a margarita? And one way is considered "right".
- Shaken: This style is how the classic margarita is made. As mentioned above, a cocktail shaker is used to combine the ingredients before pouring the margarita mixture into a prepared cocktail glass.
- Blended: Blended margaritas are actually not considered traditional margaritas. Also called frozen margaritas, this style simply uses ice and the basic ingredients to create a slushy like drink.
When it comes to how to prepare and serve margaritas, the choice is yours! However, for this recipe we'll be using the shaken method. I find that this method yields a drink that has a more balanced flavor in each sip. Furthermore, it's easier and faster to shake than blend!
Ingredients
As simple as can be, this drink will take you little to no time to whip up! Check out everything needed to start:
- Flakey sea salt: utilized around the rim of your coupe glassware
- Ice: chilled margaritas always
- Freshly squeezed blood orange juice: the base of our flavor, it is a blood orange margarita after all...
- Silver tequila, chilled: the star of the show!
- Lime juice: a little zing, what's a margarita without lime?!
- Agave nectar: To add some sweetness to the bitter blood orange!
- Limes, for garnish: we always love great presentation, and perhaps some more freshly squeeze lime!
See recipe card for quantities.
Equipment
Today we are presented with many different variations of the classic margarita. One of the many great aspects of the margarita is how easy it is to customize to your liking. The simple recipe allots room for creativity, such as the addition of seasonal fruits or infused simple syrups. These additions require only minutes of extra time to create a drink that is as unique as it is tasty!
The modern day margarita not only comes in many different flavors, but also style presentations. While the traditional margarita glass is great for a tropical vacation, there's so many other fun glasses to utilize at home! I recommend using either a coupe glass or tallboy glasses. The coupe glass, pictured above, is a feminine drinking vessel that provides the aesthetic of an upscale bar from the comfort of your home!
If you're looking to complete your bar cart and really elevate your bartending skillets, there's a few other items you'll need. First up is the necessary tool to shake up a good margarita. I recommend a simple cocktail shaker! You may also take a step further and get yourself the full cocktail shaker set up like this one. If you choose to forgo the set and just purchase the cocktail shaker, you will need a strainer like this one. That's all you need to make the perfect margarita!
Simple Ingredients for a Stunning Margarita
We've discussed the basics of a classic margarita. Now, let's quickly go over the must have ingredients to execute this blood orange margarita recipe. First, you'll need six ounces of freshly squeezed blood orange juice. If you can find that in the store, then great! More often than not though, you'll need to squeeze the oranges by hand. I use a juicer to make the process much faster, but you can also use a lemon squeezer. Once I have all the juice, I then strain it through a colander to ensure it's smooth and pulp free.
Next, you'll need four ounces of silver tequila. It's always recommended that I use a chilled tequila for the best results! Then, all you need is two ounces of lime juice and two ounces of agave nectar. Agave nectar is a sweetener that has a dark amber color like honey but has a more neutral flavor. It adds the perfect hint of sweetness and pulls those floral notes from the blood orange forward. And, of course, the lime juice is a must-have ingredient to make a margarita!
Shaking It Up!
It's time to get to shaking up our blood orange margarita! First thing's first, we need to prepare our beautiful glasses. So, taking your flakey sea salt, go ahead and spread that along a shallow plate. The flakey sea salt will add texture, saltiness, and elevate the aesthetic of this ruby red cocktail. I prefer using flakey salt over regular salt as it sticks better to the rim. Next, run a lime wedge over the edges of your two favorite cocktail glasses. Running the lime wedge along the rim will allow the salt to stick to the glass!
Then, invert the glass one at a time and dip into the flakey salt. This will coat the inside and outside of the rims. You can choose to get creative here and rim your glasses in different ways! For example, you can salt just one side, salt the full rim, salt some of the rim, etc. Once you have your salted glasses, place them in the refrigerator to chill. This will aid in keeping your drink cold after pouring it into the glasses.
Now, it's time to add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, then add the blood orange juice, tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar. Put the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Remove the two prepared cocktail glasses from the refrigerator. Finally, strain the margarita mix evenly into the two cocktail glasses. And that's it! You blood orange margarita is officially ready to be served and enjoyed.
Elevate Your Presentation
Mixology can serve as a fun, creative craft to partake in! Presentation plays a huge part in mixology, and personally, it's my favorite aspect of drink making. There are a few ways you can garnish this blood orange margarita that will take this drink to the next level. Here are a few tips and tricks to make your margarita look like it was professionally mixed:
- Salt the rim: As I've stated before in the instructions, salting the rim is a must! It's a simple and easy step to incorporate that immediately elevates your drink. Not to mention, it's an imperative addition to the taste of the overall margarita as it helps balance the ingredients. You can get creative with how you choose to salt your glasses!
- Chilling the glass: There's nothing worse than a room temperature cocktail. This easy step elevates the experience from the very first sip. Plus, it ensures the drink stays perfectly chilled throughout the duration of the cocktail.
- Adding in fruit: There are plenty of ways to get creative here! For example, you place a round orange slice on top, incorporate an orange peel, or used dried fruit to garnish. The possibilities are endless when it comes to how to incorporate fruit garnishes.
Putting effort into your presentation will not only impress others, but it will surely give yourself a mood boost as you express your creative side. Snap pictures and share your creation!
How to Make Dried Orange Slices
As you can see from the pictures, I chose to garnish my blood orange margarita with dried orange slices. And you can to with these easy steps! First, preheat the oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Then, place a wire cooling rack over the parchment paper. Slice one blood orange into very thin slices and place them on the wire rack. Bake for four hours on the center rack, and remember to flip each slice at the halfway mark. Finally, allow them to cool to room temperature.
Other Recipe Suggestions
If you love this blood orange margarita recipe, I have a few other recipes that I think you'll love! From a sweet treat that also utilizes blood oranges, to dishes that would be the perfect pairing for this vibrant cocktail, there's a recipe that everyone is sure to love!
Looking for more recipes to pair with this cocktail? Just scroll through my blog and discover the different options! There are so many gluten-free dishes to choose from that would compliment the flavors of this unique drink beautifully.
Blood Orange Margarita
Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy2
servings10
minutesThis vibrant margarita recipes utilizes blood oranges to create a delicious twist on the classic margarita!
Ingredients
¼ cup flakey sea salt
1 cup ice
6 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice
4 ounces of silver tequila, chilled
2 ounces lime juice
2 ounces agave nectar
Limes, for garnish
Directions
- Spread a layer of flakey sea salt on a shallow plate. Run a lime wedge over the rim of two cocktail glasses, either coupe or tallboys.
- Then invert the glasses and dip the glasses in the salt to coat the inside and outside of the rims. Place in the refrigerator to chill.
- Juice one to two blood orange until you have the desired amount. Then, strain the juice through a colander to ensure it's smooth and pulp-free.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the orange juice, tequila, lime juice, and nectar.
- Put the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into the two cocktails glasses and garnish with a blood orange slice.
Recipe Video
Notes
- To batch this recipe, just double or triple the list of ingredients!
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