This margarita twist uses vibrant blood oranges for a cocktail that's both delicious and beautiful!
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What is a Blood Orange?
Blood Oranges may look like regular navel oranges on the outside, but inside they are distinctively dark red due to a pigment called anthocyanin, which forms in cooler night temperatures. Anthocyanin first develops at the fruit's edges and then moves to the center, creating the red streaks in blood oranges.
Sweeter and less acidic than navel oranges, with a berry-like sweetness and a hint of tartness. Blood oranges originate from the southern Mediterranean, including Malta and Spain, and are also grown in California. They are typically in season from November to May, with peak flavor from December to March.
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Why You'll Love This
Who doesn’t love a classic margarita? Its lime juice and salt rim make it a top choice for a refreshing drink. For a new twist, try a blood orange margarita. Using freshly squeezed blood orange juice, this cocktail offers a sweet, refreshing taste with a striking red hue. The balance of tartness and sweetness, along with its vibrant color, makes it irresistible. This blood orange margarita is a must-try for a captivating twist on a favorite classic!

Health Benefits of Blood Oranges
Like other citrus fruits, blood oranges are highly nutritious, rich in healthy sugars, dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Their health benefits include:
- High in Antioxidants: The anthocyanin in blood oranges acts as an Antioxidants, protecting cells from free radicals and reducing the risk of diseases like heart disease and cancer.
- Immune-Boosting: Packed with vitamin C, blood oranges enhance the immune system, support healthy blood vessels, and may help lower cholesterol levels.
- Can Promote Weight Loss: High in fiber and low in calories, blood oranges help you stay full longer, making them a great snack for weight management and overall health.

The Basics of the Margarita
A classic margarita is simple to make! Combine 1-2 ounces of silver tequila, 1 ounce of orange liqueur (like Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec), and ¾ ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice. Sweeteners include agave nectar or simple syrup. While store-bought margarita mix simplifies things, it's often overly sugary and processed.
To make the margarita, shake the ingredients with ice for about 10 seconds, then pour into a prepared glass.
There are two main ways to make a margarita:
- Shaken: The traditional method, where you shake the ingredients with ice and pour into a glass.
- Blended: Often called a frozen margarita, this method blends the ingredients with ice to create a slushy drink.
For this recipe, we'll use the shaken method for a balanced flavor in each sip and a quicker preparation.
Ingredients
This quick and easy drink requires minimal effort! Here’s what you’ll need:

To make a blood orange margarita, gather these ingredients:
- Freshly Squeezed Blood Orange Juice: 6 ounces, preferably strained for a smooth texture. Store-bought juice works if available, but hand-squeezed is best. I use a juicer to make the process much faster, but you can also use a lemon squeezer.
- Silver Tequila: 4 ounces, chilled for optimal taste.
- Lime Juice: 2 ounces, essential for a classic margarita zing.
- Agave Nectar: 2 ounces, adds a balanced sweetness and enhances the blood orange flavor.
- Flaky Sea Salt: For rimming the glass, balancing the bitterness.
- Ice: Keeps the margarita chilled and helps mix the ingredients.
- Limes (for garnish): Enhances presentation and adds extra fresh lime flavor if desired.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
Equipment
Margaritas are highly customizable, adding unique touches in just minutes. Besides traditional margarita glasses, try using coupe or tallboy glasses.
You'll need a cocktail shaker. For a more complete setup, consider a full cocktail shaker set like this one, but if you opt for just a shaker, a strainer is essential. These tools will help you craft the perfect margarita!

Instructions
Start by prepping your glasses. Spread flaky sea salt on a shallow plate for texture and a stylish touch.
Next, Run a lime wedge around the rims of your cocktail glasses so the salt will stick.
Then, dip the glass rims into the salt, coating inside and outside. Chill the glasses in the refrigerator to keep your drink cold.
Finally, for the margarita, fill a shaker with ice and add blood orange juice, tequila, lime juice, and agave nectar. Shake for 30 seconds. Remove the chilled glasses, strain the margarita mix evenly into them, and serve.

Serving Suggestions
Mixology is a fun, creative craft where presentation shines. Here's how to elevate your blood orange margarita:
- Salt the Rim: Essential for both taste and presentation. Get creative with your salting technique!
- Chill the Glass: Keeps your cocktail cold and enhances the experience.
- Add Fruit: Garnish with an orange slice, peel, or dried fruit for a stylish touch.
Effort in presentation impresses and boosts your mood—don’t forget to snap a picture and share your creation!
Top tip
To elevate your blood orange margarita, try garnishing with dried orange slices:
- Let the slices cool to room temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 175°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place a wire rack over the paper.
- Slice a blood orange thinly and arrange the slices on the wire rack.
- Bake for 4 hours, flipping slices halfway through.

Storage
Store any leftover ingredients in tightly sealed plastic bags in the refrigerator. Keep the tequila in the pantry. Just ensure each part is stored in its appropriate environment.
FAQ
Margaritas are versatile, so feel free to substitute with any fruit. Watermelon pairs especially well with this recipe's ingredients.
Yes, just double the ingredients to increase the serving size—no other modifications needed.
Want More Drinks?
If you enjoyed this, try some of my other recommended cocktail recipes!
Other Recipe Suggestions
If you love this blood orange margarita, check out my other recipes—sweet treats with blood oranges and dishes that pair perfectly with this vibrant cocktail!
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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