Can I make these margaritas ahead of time?

We recommend mixing the cocktails just before serving, but you can absolutely juice the oranges and limes ahead of time! Fresh citrus juice will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can also use store-bought bottled lime juice to save time (but we love the bright, fresh flavor you get when you juice the limes yourself!)

Can I make these drinks for a crowd?

Yes! Stir all margarita ingredients ( without ice) together in a large pitcher and keep it in the fridge. When someone needs a cocktail, pour some of the margarita mixture straight from the pitcher into a glass filled with ice. Tip: To double or triple this recipe, use the handy 2x and 3x buttons in the recipe card below!

Blood Orange Margaritas

Description

These easy blood orange margaritas are full of flavor - perfect for holidays or winter entertaining!

Ingredients

Scale

For the margaritas:

3 ounces (about 1/3 cup) fresh squeezed blood orange juice (1-2 large blood oranges)
2 ounces (1/4 cup) simple syrup or orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
2 ounces (1/4 cup) fresh squeezed lime juice (2-4 large limes)
4 ounces (1/2 cup) tequila
2-3 cups ice, divided

Optional Garnishes:

2 Tablespoons kosher salt or granulated sugar, for the glass rims
Fresh lime wedges
Fresh blood orange slices (or an orange twist)

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Instructions

Optional: Add salt rims to glasses. Spread a light layer of kosher salt (or sugar, if you prefer) on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of two cocktail glasses, then gently tap the glass rims into the salt to form a salt rim.
Fill each cocktail glass with a handful of ice.
In a large cocktail shaker, combine blood orange juice, simple syrup, lime juice, and tequila. Fill the shaker with ice, cover with a lid, and shake vigorously to chill.
Strain margaritas into your prepared cocktail glasses. Garnish with extra lime wedges, orange slices, or an orange twist (optional) and serve immediately.

Notes

Fresh squeezed juice can have quite a bit of pulp: For a smooth cocktail, be sure to strain it through the top strainer piece of a cocktail shaker or with a small mesh strainer.

Adjust the flavors to suit your tastes. For a sweeter cocktail, use additional simple syrup. For a more tart flavor, use extra lime or blood orange juice. This is a forgiving recipe - adjust the ratios to suit your palate!

Additions and Substitutions. Use grapefruit juice or navel orange juice in place of blood orange juice. Add a few slices of fresh jalapeño to the cocktail shaker for a hint of spice. For a blended margarita, place all ingredients in a powerful blender with 2-3 cups of ice and blend until smooth. Stretch these drinks by topping them off with a bit of club soda, tonic water, or prosecco.

What kind of tequila should I use? Use a tequila you love to drink! We like Espolòn Blanco, Familia Camarena, Milagro, and Casamigos. But this drink is also good with gin, vodka, or a nonalcoholic spirit!

Make your own simple syrup by simmering 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar together in a small saucepan until sugar dissolves. You can also use triple sec or orange liqueur (we love Cointreau; Grand Marnier also works here) in place of the simple syrup if you like.

Store extra blood orange juice or lime juice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.