Blood Orange Margarita
This vibrant blood orange margarita recipe is fresh, flavorful, and visually stunning. Freshly squeezed juice takes this classic cocktail over the top for a refreshing beverage you won’t be able to put down!
Blood orange juice tastes like regular oj. There is a slight difference in flavor, but not much. Of course, one of the biggest differences is the beautiful color.
The fresh blood orange juice is not only absolutely delicious and vibrant, but the juice is naturally beautiful and which translates to a gorgeous cocktail.
In fact, the next time I make a Harvey Wallbanger cocktail, I’ll be using this juice instead of regular orange juice.
There is something about using premium ingredients in a margarita. Some people say you can’t tell, but I’m here to tell you that you can. My sister was over one night and I made her my signature Cadillac margarita. I had run out of my usual Patron silver tequila, so I used another brand.
My sister said, “This tastes different.”
See? She could tell and you could too, so I always say, buy the best you can afford. Here’s a guide to different brands of tequila.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you click the link and buy something. You can read my disclosure here.
Helpful tips
- If you are going to use fresh juice, buy 5 or more blood oranges, since it’s surprising how little juice you get out of them.
- I leave the oranges in the refrigerator until I’m ready to juice them.
- If you can find fresh pre-squeezed juice, you will save time when making this recipe. I sometimes get it at Whole Foods.
- When juicing the blood oranges, wear an apron as this juice will stain light colored clothing.
- If you’re thinking of making a large pitcher of this margarita, use pre-squeezed juice as you don’t want to be juicing all night long. Use the slider in the recipe card to adjust the servings.
- How to salt the glasses: Pour out a little bit of kosher salt on a small plate. Wet the rim of the glasses with a little simple syrup. Dip the rims into the salt and with the glass upside down, shake off the excess salt and set it upright.
- Use glasses that please you. I used my thick double old-fashioned glasses. Other great options are the classic margarita glass, mason jar, or even a rocks glass.
- Blood orange juice has the same sweetness as regular orange juice, but if you like a sweet margarita, you could add 1/2 ounce of simple syrup. I suggest making it first without simple syrup, tasting it, and then if you want it sweeter, add simple syrup a little at a time.
- When pouring the drink into the glasses, be careful not to pour the liquid over the salted rims as it will put salt IN your drink.
- I don’t use limes or fresh lime juice in this margarita. There is no need as the blood orange juice is ample.
- I use the orange liqueur, Cointreau, but you can substitute it with triple sec.
How to make a blood orange margarita
Pre-step
Get a cocktail shaker, fill it halfway with ice, and also get your measuring glass and glassware.
After measuring out the ingredients, pour into the cocktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – tequila blanco, Cointreau, and fresh blood oranges.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (A)
Step three
Measure 2 ounces of Cointreau. (B)
Step four
Measure 7 ounces fresh blood orange juice. (C)
I wanted to also show the ingredients in the cocktail shaker. Isn’t it gorgeous? (D)
Step five
Add fresh ice to the glasses.
Place the lid on the shaker, shake it for 20 seconds and pour, strain, and divide the contents between the two glasses.
Add slices of blood orange into the glasses.
Per-FECT-o!
Here’s another shot, taken from a different angle.
I hope you enjoyed this blood orange margarita recipe. It truly is a fruity and delicious cocktail. I hope you try it!
Other popular margaritas
Leave me a comment. What is your favorite margarita?
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Blood Orange Margarita
Ingredients
- 4 ounces tequila I used Patron Silver
- 2 ounces Cointreau or triple sec
- 7 ounces of freshly squeezed blood orange juice
Garnish
- 2 slices blood orange
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Place kosher salt on a plate. Dip your finger in simple syrup and rub the rims of the glasses with the syrup. Dip the rim in the salt, roll the glass if necessary. Keep the glass upside down and shake any loose salt off. Place the glass upright and set aside.kosher salt
- Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 way with ice.
- Add tequila, Cointreau and blood orange juice..4 ounces tequila, 2 ounces Cointreau or triple sec, 7 ounces of freshly squeezed blood orange juice
- Add fresh ice to the glasses. Cap shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Pour, strain, and divide the liquid betwen the two glasses.
- Ease an orange slice into each blood orange margarita. Let it peek out2 slices blood orange
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Notes
Helpful tips
- If you are going to use fresh juice, buy 5 or more blood oranges, since it’s surprising how little juice you get out of them.
- I leave the oranges in the refrigerator until I’m ready to juice them.
- If you can find fresh pre-squeezed juice, you will save time when making this recipe. I sometimes get it at Whole Foods.
- When juicing the blood oranges, wear an apron as this juice will stain light colored clothing.
- If you’re thinking of making a large pitcher of this margarita, use pre-squeezed juice as you don’t want to be juicing all night long. Use the slider in the recipe card to adjust the servings.
- How to salt the glasses: Pour out a little bit of kosher salt on a small plate. Wet the rim of the glasses with a little simple syrup. Dip the rims into the salt and with the glass upside down, shake off the excess salt and set it upright.
- Use glasses that please you. I used my thick double old-fashioned glasses. Other great options are the classic margarita glass, mason jar, or even a rocks glass.
- Blood orange juice has the same sweetness as regular orange juice, but if you like a sweet margarita, you could add 1/2 ounce of simple syrup. I suggest making it first without simple syrup, tasting it, and then if you want it sweeter, add simple syrup a little at a time.
- When pouring the drink into the glasses, be careful not to pour the liquid over the salted rims as it will put salt IN your drink.
- I don’t use limes or fresh lime juice in this margarita. There is no need as the blood orange juice is ample.
- I use the orange liqueur, Cointreau, but you can substitute it with triple sec.
Nutrition
This is a redo of my original post that was published February of 2016.
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to crafting delightful dishes and cocktails, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
Those were quite the unforgettable margaritas that we had in Maine, this one looks almost as good.
Just kidding…..this one looks amazing, I’m suddenly a little thirsty.
Devon,
Hehe. Thanks. I don’t think I could actually drink a margarita like the one that girl made us in Maine again. Even to spare her feelings.
Elaine
Such a gorgeous color! Love it!
Thank you Kitty!
I love blood oranges and margaritas so I’ll be trying this soon!
Thanks Joyce! They are so good!
yesss! loving blood oranges at the moment AND loving margaritas! perfect for cinco de mayo!!
Thanks Georgie! I’m going to be sad when blood oranges go out of season!
I love this series of shots,Elaine! gorgeous! You better be careful telling people you drove slowly, LOL! I wonder if there is a statute of limitation on DUI? 🙂
Hehe Beth, I don’t think so! Thank you so much!
You always make the most beautiful drinks. I can just imagine how good these taste too!
Thanks so much Carlee! I appreciate it!
Yes Please! Blood Orange Margaritas sound amazing. My husband loves to make margaritas I am going to pass this recipe along to him so he can make them this weekend! pinning!
Thanks so much Juli! I hope you enjoy them!
Your drinks are always FIRE! One of these days I hope we get to share one of your creations together. This one looks amazing, and I’m praying my grocery store has blood oranges in stock this week. 🙂
Aww thanks Teri! That would be fun, wouldn’t it? I hope they do too. I saw them this morning when I went to the store and almost bought some so I could make these again.
Well, you know how I feel about blood oranges…and that silver Patron bottle is always so beautiful! I’m pinning these to my holiday board right now. Can’t wait to try them sometime. Thanks for the recipe inspiration!
Thanks so much Tracy!!
Hey Elaine!
After teaching 7 year olds all week, I am tempted to make a pit stop on the way home to buy the ingredients for this delicious drink! Have a great weekend! Cheers!
P.S. I love your photos! 🙂
Thanks Jane!! It’s a fun drink! I can only imagine that teaching is sometimes rewarding and sometimes difficult and admire the profession!!
Cheers! These look amazing!
Thanks so much Karly!! I appreciate it!
Another margarita for the books. Beautiful. Flavorful. Colorful. Go margarita!
Thanks Christopher!
This is like health food! Think of all the vitamin C!!! Perfect photos as usual, Elaine!
Lol! Yes, Vitamin C is essential. One a week. And thank you Binky!