Blood oranges are a winter seasonal citrus that are slightly more tart and berry-forward than a traditional orange. Add them into this blood orange margarita alongside tequila for a delicious sip that’s perfect for winter, or add some spooky touches to the natural color for a Halloween drink!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A blood orange margarita is a cocktail that’s as eye-catching as it is delicious, making it a perfect drink to fall in love with. The vibrant reddish-orange hue of blood orange juice brings a dramatic and fruity flair to the classic margarita.
Serve it for any winter occasion (when the citrus is in season), a chic dinner party, or even as part of a Halloween or Valentine’s spread thanks to the color. When in off season, bottled blood orange juice or syrup works beautifully!
Flavor-wise, blood oranges strike a unique balance between sweet and tart, with subtle berry-like undertones that pair beautifully with the bright zest of lime and the earthy bite of tequila. This depth of flavor gives the cocktail a refreshing yet complex profile!
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Ingredients List
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 2 ½ ounces blood orange juice
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce agave nectar (or to taste)
For the Rim
- Fresh lime wedge
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar or sea salt (for Halloween, use black sanding sugar or lava salt)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- I prefer a blanco or silver tequila for this recipe, but you could experiment with reposado, anejo, or even Mezcal for different flavor combinations
- Since fresh blood oranges are only available in winter, I use bottled juice. However, you can definitely use fresh if in season – this amount should be about 1 large blood orange. You could also use regular orange juice (add ½ ounce of blood orange puree or syrup to maintain the color)
- A traditional margarita usually includes triple sec (or another orange liqueur) but I don’t find it necessary since I’m using orange juice. However, you can add ½ ounce of the liqueur and just 2 ounces of juice if preferred
- Fresh lime juice is truly best (about 1 medium lime will get you enough), but you can use bottled if necessary
- Since the oranges are a little more tart, I prefer a sugar rim for this drink, but you can do salt or a mix of the two depending on your personal tastes!
Step By Step Instructions
- Rim your glass by first running the cut edge of a lime wedge around the outside to wet it. Then, dip the wet rim of the glass into a plate or shallow bowl with the sugar or salt in it, and turn to coat
- Add all the drink ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or similar; like a mason jar with lid) along with a handful of ice. Additionally, fill your rimmed glasses with ice (cubes or crushed)
- Shake until the drink is well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into prepared glasses
- Garnish with a blood orange slice (fresh or dried) if desired, and enjoy!
Frozen Variation
- Add the drink ingredients to your blender’s basin along with about 1 cup of ice (in this case, do not add ice cubes to your glass)
- Blend on high or puree (depending on available settings) until a slushy consistency is reached
- Pour into your rimmed glass, garnish if desired, and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Appetizers & Snacks
- Chips & Guacamole – Creamy avocado balances the citrusy tang
- Ceviche – The fresh lime and seafood notes mirror the margarita’s brightness
- Spicy Salsa with Tortilla Chips – Heat and citrus are a classic combo!
- Loaded Nachos – Cheesy, customizable, and perfectly crunchy. Try my Halloween Pumpkin Nachos for a seasonal twist!
Main Dishes
- Shrimp or Fish Tacos – The sweetness of blood orange highlights seafood beautifully. Try my Air Fryer Fish Tacos!
- Carnitas or Al Pastor Tacos – The rich pork flavors contrast with the tangy drink
- Grilled Chicken with Citrus Marinade – Complements the blood orange’s tart-sweet character!
Charcuterie Pairings
- Queso Fresco – Mild, creamy, and doesn’t overpower the drink
- Cotija – Salty and crumbly, adding a nice contrast to the cocktail’s fruitiness
- Chorizo – Sliced, spiced sausage that compliments the tart citrus notes
Desserts
- Blood Orange Sorbet – A refreshing, color-matching dessert!
- Dark Chocolate – Bitterness balances the sweetness of the cocktail
- Churros with Citrus Sugar – A sweet and tangy twist on a classic
Recipe FAQs
When Are Blood Oranges in Season?
Blood oranges are typically in season from December through April, depending on the region. This makes them a winter-to-early-spring fruit, though some imported varieties may be available outside these months.
What Alcohol Goes Well With Blood Orange?
Blood orange pairs beautifully with tequila, vodka, gin, rum, and even sparkling wines. Its sweet-tart flavor and berry undertones make it versatile in cocktails.
What Flavors Mix Well With Blood Orange?
Blood orange blends well with lime, lemon, berries, pomegranate, and herbs like mint or basil. It also pairs wonderfully with dark chocolate for desserts and cocktails.
Can I Make a Mocktail Version?
Yes! Simply replace the tequila with sparkling water (Sprindrift blood orange is a great choice), club soda, or a zero proof tequila. You’ll still get that bold blood orange flavor in a refreshing alcohol-free version.
Tips For the Best Blood Orange Margarita
- This drink is not too sweet thanks to the blood orange and lime juices. You can bump up the agave (or substitute simple syrup, honey, or another sweetener of choice) to 1 ounce if you like a sweeter drink
- When serving a crowd, you can scale up accordingly and mix everything together up to 24 hours in advance, storing in a large pitcher in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, stir the mix, rim individual glasses, and pour over ice
Serving and Presentation
- Glassware: Serve in a classic margarita or rocks glass with a wide rim to show off the bold color! Alternatively, try a coupe, martini, or similar stemmed glass for a chic, upscale vibe
- Garnishes are optional, but a slice of blood orange, orange wedge, cranberries (float or skewer) or a sprig of fresh mint or rosemary add a nice touch. For Halloween, add a gummy worm, candy eyeball on a skewer, or dry ice for fog to add spooky vibes
- Blood Orange Cranberry Mojito
Final Thoughts
These blood orange margaritas are the perfect blend of bright citrus flavor with classic margarita ingredients and a beautiful color that’s sure to impress! It’s perfect for winter occasions, but the natural color lends well to Valentine’s or Halloween too, with some spooky accents.
It’s sure to impress guests as well with its balanced sweet and tart flavor profile and lovely red-orange hue, perfect for any winter party! So grab your favorite cocktail glass and enjoy – cheers!
Katie’s tip
Looking for some spooky sips to add to your lineup? Check out all of my Tequila Halloween Cocktail Recipes for ideas to chill and thrill! Alternatively, you can also visit my collection of Blood Orange Cocktails for more seasonal citrus sips!
Easy Blood Orange Margarita Recipe
Equipment
- Shaker (or similar)
- Rocks glass (or margarita glass)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 ½ ounces blood orange juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce agave syrup (or to taste)
- Ice cubes
For the Rim
- 1 fresh lime wedge
- 1 Tbsp granulated sugar or sea salt (for Halloween, use black sanding sugar or lava salt)
Instructions
- Rim your glass by first running the cut edge of a lime wedge around the outside to wet it. Then, dip the wet rim into a plate or shallow bowl with the sugar or salt in it, and turn to coat1 fresh lime wedge, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar or sea salt
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or similar; like a mason jar with lid) along with a handful of ice. Additionally, fill your rimmed glasses with ice (cubes or crushed)2 ounces tequila, 2 ½ ounces blood orange juice, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, ½ ounce agave syrup, Ice cubes
- Shake until the drink is well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into prepared glasses
- Garnish with a blood orange slice (fresh or dried) if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- I prefer a blanco or silver tequila for this recipe, but you can try reposado, anejo, or even Mezcal for different flavor combinations
- Since fresh blood oranges are only available in winter, I use bottled juice. However, you can definitely use fresh in season – this amount should be about 1 large blood orange. You could also use regular orange juice (add ½ ounce of blood orange puree or syrup to maintain the color)
- Traditional margaritas include triple sec (or another orange liqueur) but I don’t find it necessary with the orange juice in this recipe. However, you can add ½ ounce of the liqueur and just 2 ounces of juice if preferred
- Fresh lime juice is truly best (about 1 medium lime will get you enough), but you can use bottled if necessary
- Since the oranges are a little more tart, I prefer a sugar rim for this drink, but you can do salt or a mix of the two depending on your personal tastes!
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, rims and garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
