In our opinion, the happiest happy hours start with a Blood Orange Margarita cocktail. This juicy tequila cocktail is packed with all the bittersweet flavors you could wish for, making it a perfect aperitif that everyone will love. While it has a few more ingredients to gather than your average drink, it’s easy to whip up in a matter of minutes. This beauty is one of the best cocktails for beginners, as you literally chuck all your ingredients together and give it a good shake for an icy chill.
Blood Orange Margarita
PREP TIME 10 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Wet the rim of a rocks glass or tumbler with a little juice
02
2.
Dip it in a saucer of salt to coat
03
3.
Fill the glass with ice and set aside
04
4.
Half fill a shaker or mason jar with ice
05
5.
Add all the ingredients and shake until icy cold
06
6.
Strain into the glass
07
7.
Garnish with a blood orange slice tucked onto the rim and enjoy super chilled
What is a blood orange?
The crimson-streaked flesh of blood orange is sweeter than a regular navel orange and a little less acidic with hints of berry flavor. These bold-flavored oranges are generally much juicer than their navel relatives and made up of a softer structure, so when you’re making drinks with blood orange, you’ll see they easily collapse when juicing. Blood oranges are in season in the cold winter months and start fruiting a month earlier than the navels, usually in December.
Best Blood Orange Margarita recipe ingredients
Our Blood Orange Juice cocktail is built with the same blocks as the OG Margarita, which is one of the classic Mexican cocktails most people know about. Made with tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice, the blood orange version also adds a dash of Campari (yum), freshly squeezed blood orange juice, and a little simple syrup for sweetness to the mix. Make sure you grab a good quality tequila like Cabo Wabo or Espolòn since this recipe calls for a smooth unaged blanco to create a good balance. For the orange liqueur, choose one that offers serious bitter orange notes like Grand Marnier for adding an extra depth of flavor to drinks with blood orange.
How to salt the rim of a Margarita glass
The finishing touch of a Blood Orange Margarita cocktail is a salt rim. Do this first before pouring your drink. Simply tip some kosher salt or sea salt onto a saucer, and rub a wedge of orange or lime around the edge of a rocks glass or tumbler to wet it before twisting the rim in the salt. A salt rim elevates the flavor and brings that extra Insta-appeal to your drink. We all tend to feast with our eyes first, right?
Fresh blood orange juice alternatives
If fresh oranges aren’t at your fingertips to juice for blood orange drink recipes, a 100% pure carton of juice will still be divine. Store-bought juices can be sweeter, so you may need to reduce the amount of simple syrup in the cocktail. You can always substitute the blood orange with regular OJ – just remember you’ll lose a little sweetness along the way so add a little more simple syrup.
Why is Campari a great addition to your Margarita?
When you add Campari to your Blood Orange Margarita, you’re bringing an extra layer of complexity to the drink. This iconic Italian aperitif adds a bittersweet note that plays beautifully against the sweetness of the blood orange and the sharpness of the lime. It’s a brilliant way to elevate a classic margarita, making it feel just a bit more sophisticated. If you’re new to Campari, don’t worry—the bitterness mellows out with the other ingredients, creating a balanced, crave-worthy cocktail.
Also see: Drink Like an Italian (8 Campari Cocktails to Try)
Can I use agave syrup instead of simple syrup?
If you want to give your Blood Orange Margarita a more traditional Mexican twist, swap out the simple syrup for agave syrup. Agave syrup has a more neutral sweetness than simple syrup and enhances the flavor of the tequila. It’s also a great option if you prefer a less processed sweetener. Just be sure to use a light agave syrup to keep the balance right in the drink.
Learn more: Easy Syrup Variations for Cocktail Making
More cocktails to try if you love a Blood Orange Margarita
- Classic Margarita: The OG version of the Blood Orange Margarita, made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. It’s a timeless favorite for a reason!
- Paloma: Another Mexican classic, made with tequila and grapefruit soda. It’s simple, fresh, and full of zesty flavor.
- Tequila Sunrise: A colorful, layered drink made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine, creating a beautiful sunrise effect in the glass.
- Negroni: A beloved Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It’s perfect if you want to explore more drinks with Campari.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This Blood Orange Margarita is a tangy drink that’s perfect for sipping on a cold winter’s night when you’re dining on comfort food that is slightly on the heavier side. The bold mix of the tangy juice and the Campari cuts through heavy foods so well.
When choosing a tequila for your Margarita, go for a blanco or silver tequila like Espolòn. Blanco tequilas are unaged, meaning they provide a clean, crisp flavor that pairs perfectly with the fruity and tart notes of blood orange. Avoid aged tequilas like reposado or añejo for this cocktail, as they can overpower the freshness of the other ingredients.
Yes, you can omit the Campari if you prefer, but it does add a lovely bittersweet balance to the drink. Without it, the cocktail will be more on the sweet and tangy side. You could also try substituting another bitter liqueur if you’re looking for a similar vibe.
