Blood Orange Margarita Drink

at a glance
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
5 from 1 vote

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This blood orange margarita delivers bright and refreshing flavors that are deliciously tart with just the right amount of sweetness. 

Hand holding a blood orange wedge squeezing the juice over the top of a blood orange margarita in a glass with white etching and salt and pepper lined rim.

Recipe for Blood Orange Margarita 

While there are many options for flavored margarita mixes on the market, there’s just something about the flavors you get from using fresh ingredients that really make for the tastiest cocktail. And it doesn’t have to be complicated! We’ve taken our tried and true classic margarita recipe and adapted it to incorporate the subtly sweet and tangy flavor of blood orange juice to make a vibrant margarita that is sure to be the star of any cocktail hour. 

A blood orange margarita incorporates blood orange juice into the mix, giving the margarita a sweeter citrus note and beautiful blood orange color. 

What is the difference between a blood orange margarita and a margarita?

The key difference between a blood orange margarita and a classic margarita is the addition of blood orange juice, which gives the mix a red-orange hue and a slightly sweeter flavor. 

What is in a Blood Orange Margarita? 

This blood orange margarita recipe is so easy and can be whipped up in just a few minutes. Here’s what you’ll need for 4 servings:

Blood orange margarita ingredients on a grey and white marble surface.
  • 1 cup of tequila
  • ½ cup of Triple Sec
  • ⅓ cup of blood orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons of lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons of agave syrup 

Blood Orange Margarita Ingredient Modifications

This blood orange margarita recipe is so tasty and balanced as written, but if blood oranges are out of season or you’re looking to change things up a bit, here are a couple of ideas:

  • Use different oranges – while the flavor of blood orange juice tends to be a little sweeter and tangier than your traditional navel orange, you can really use whatever orange is in season (Cara Cara oranges also bring a delicious sweetness).
  • Add a peppered rim – add a couple of teaspoons of pepper to your salt rim for a twist on your traditional margarita dressing. 
  • Give it some sparkle – leave a couple of inches at the top of your glass so that you can add a splash of sparkling water (blood orange sparkling water would be so tasty) as a topper for some extra bubbles and a fun pop to your drink.

Supplies Needed to Make this Recipe

How to make Blood Orange Margarita

Here’s how you’ll quickly whip up this beautiful cocktail:

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  1. Squeeze your citrus – if you weren’t able to find bottled freshly-squeezed juice at the store (some local markets will carry fresh-squeezed juices for the ultimate in ease!), the first thing you’ll do is squeeze your oranges and lime. 
  2. Add ingredients to a mason jar or pitcher – add the tequila, Triple Sec, orange juice, lime juice, and agave to a mason jar or pitcher and stir to combine. Chill the mix in the fridge if you’re not ready to serve right away. 
  3. Prep your glasses – salt the rims of your glasses by running a wedge of blood orange or lime around the outside rim of the glass and dipping it in salt. Then, carefully add ice so as not to knock the salt off of the rim. 
  4. Pour and enjoy – pour your margarita over the ice, serve, and enjoy!

How to salt the rim for Blood Orange Margaritas

Salting the rim of your glass is a really easy step and makes a difference in the brightness of flavor in your margarita. 

  1. Prep the rim – using a wedge of your blood orange or some of the margarita mix, coat the rim of your glass. 
  2. Dip in the salt – add a couple of tablespoons of salt to a small saucer or shallow bowl, then tilt your glass to dip the outside edge in the salt. Rotate your glass to coat the entire rim (or a portion of it if you prefer). Tap off any excess salt.

For more tips, salt recipes, and fun ways to salt the rim of your margarita glass, check out this article

Top down view of blood orange margaritas in glasses on a pink/blush surface with a cutting board, blood orange wedges, squeezed lime halves, and salt.

You can’t go wrong with the classic chips and guacamole pairing. Some other really tasty options are carne asada tacos with adobo lime marinade, shrimp tacos with cilantro citrus sauce, or instant pot carnitas tacos

Side view of blood orange margarita in a glass with white etching garnished with a salt and pepper rim plus a wedge of blood orange and two slices of lime.
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Want more recipes like this?

Q Is there a blood orange margarita mix?
A

There are several store-bought options for blood orange margarita mix, but I personally prefer to make my own so I get the freshest flavor from the fruit juices and can control the amount of sweetness in my mix. If you’re looking to make a mix without the alcohol, you can easily adjust this margarita mix recipe to incorporate blood orange by replacing ¾ of the amount of lime juice with blood orange juice. 

Q Can I make a pitcher of blood orange margaritas?
A

Absolutely! This recipe is super easy to scale up to serve a larger group. For 8 servings, you’ll need:

  • 2 cups of tequila
  • 1 cup of Triple Sec
  • ¾ cup of blood orange juice
  • ¼ cup of lime juice
  • 4 tablespoons of agave syrup
Q Is there a certain time to serve blood orange margaritas?
A

There’s no “wrong” time to serve a margarita in my book! Blood oranges are in season from roughly December through May, depending on the type of blood orange you’re purchasing. So, if you want to use fresh blood orange juice in your margaritas, that is when the fruit is going to be the sweetest and easiest to find. 

Q What can I use instead of blood orange juice?
A

Any type of orange juice would make for a delicious substitute for this recipe. Feel free to use whatever you can find in the season or have on hand! 

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Blood Orange Margarita

By: Cassy Joy Garcia
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 10 mins
Servings: 4 servings
This blood orange margarita delivers bright and refreshing flavors that are deliciously tart with just the right amount of sweetness.

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup tequila
  • 1/2 cup Triple Sec
  • 1/3 cup blood orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons agave

To make a mocktail:

  • 1 cup zero proof tequila (Ritual is a great option)
  • 1/2 cup zero proof Triple Sec
  • 1/3 cup blood orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons agave

Instructions

  • If you’re using fresh squeezed juices and weren’t able to find any at the store (some local markets will carry fresh-squeezed juices for the ultimate in ease!), the first thing you’ll do is squeeze your oranges and lime.
  • Add the tequila, Triple Sec, orange juice, lime juice, and agave to a mason jar or pitcher and stir to combine. Chill the mix in the fridge if you’re not ready to serve right away.
  • Salt the rims of your glass by running a wedge of blood orange or lime around the outside rim of the glass and dipping it in salt. Then, carefully add ice so as not to knock the salt off the rim.
  • Pour your margarita over the ice, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts
Blood Orange Margarita
Amount per Serving
Calories
287
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sodium
 
2.6
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
23.8
g
8
%
Fiber
 
0.1
g
0
%
Sugar
 
21.9
g
24
%
Protein
 
0.2
g
0
%
Vitamin C
 
15
mg
18
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Recipe Notes

To make 8 servings:
  • 2 cups tequila
  • 1 cup triple sec
  • ¾ cup blood orange juice
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 4 tablespoons agave
Meet the Author
Cassy Headshot

Cassy Joy Garcia

HOWDY! I’m Cassy Joy and I am just so happy you’re here. I’m the founder, Editor-in-Chief, and Nutrition Consultant here at Fed and Fit. What started as a food blog back in 2011 has evolved now into so much more.
Get to know Cassy

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