If you are a fan of blood oranges and tequila, allow me to introduce you to your new favorite cocktail recipe: the blood orange margarita. I lovingly call this a Sicilian margarita because it’s made using a homemade blood orange liqueur, and blood oranges are native to southern Italy!
After over a decade of making drinks at home, I used to think rum was my favorite spirit. But it turns out, I am a margarita girlie! Whenever I’m offered the choice, a GOOD classic margarita is my usual drink order. But even though I love simple margaritas, I’m always thinking of ways I can put a new spin on the classic tequila cocktail. This blood orange margarita is inspired by my Italian limoncello margarita because it uses arancello rossa liqueur, which is made just like limoncello but with blood oranges instead of lemons.
It’s also sweetened with an infused blood orange syrup instead of the classic agave syrup, so it’s got a double dose of blood orange flavor. Why the two homemade ingredients instead of store bought? IT TASTES BETTER. I promise, once you start making your own syrups and liqueurs at home, you’ll be a fan for life. Make these margs for your friends and family and be prepared to be showered with adoration, because trust me, not everyone is serving up delicious drinks like these! 💅🏻
why this blood orange margarita recipe works:
🍊 seasonal twist. Classic lime flavor is taken to the next level thanks to super seasonal blood oranges, which are only available at certain times of the year.
🤤 layered flavor. Unlike other recipes out there, this drink has two hits of blood orange flavor thanks to an infused syrup and a homemade liqueur.
🙌 simple to make. Once you’ve got all your ingredients lined up, it’s as easy as “shake and serve” with this cocktail.
🛒 ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact quantities.
🍳 how to make blood orange margaritas
1: Gently dip the edge of your glass into your simple syrup or lime juice, or use a pastry brush to “paint” the rim.
2: Carefully press your glass into orange salt and allow the syrup or juice to dry.
3: Add your cocktail ingredients to a shaker filled with ice.
4: Shake well to incorporate and chill all the ingredients.
5: Pour your blood orange margaritas into the prepared glasses, filled with ice.
6: Garnish your Sicilian margs with a fresh or dehydrated blood orange and serve immediately.
💡tips & tricks for getting it right
🍽️ make your margaritas special!
- get the garnish – I love dehydrating my own blood oranges so I have some on hand when the season inevitably ends. You can also make orange ice cubes for a fun in-drink-garnish, too!
- light bites + appetizers – simple salty snackies like oven roasted nuts, potato chips and cheese dip, or seasonally topped crostini crackers are the perfect accompaniment to this cocktail.
- main dish pairings – pair your citrusy Sicilian margaritas with a seasonal homemade pizza or a fresh and herbal pasta dish. Spicy or herbal flavors complement the blood orange juice so nicely!
ℹ️ troubleshooting tips
- short citrus season – blood oranges have a limited season (typically winter through early spring). If you can’t find fresh blood oranges to make your own syrup and liqueur, check out the substitutions section for details on swapping in store-bought juice and citrus liqueur.
- balancing flavor – the homemade saline solution can help you balance acidity and sweetness, which can vary a lot among citrus fruits. Use 1-2 drops at a time until you get the flavor you like. Alternatively, you can increase the amount of syrup you use to offset acidity of the citrus.
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♻️ customize your orange margaritas
- store-bought liqueur – there are a few store-bought options of blood orange liqueur available, with the most widely known being Solerno. I’ve also seen smaller batch distilleries make it, such as Thatcher’s Organic Artisan Spirits, too.
- traditional triple sec – regular triple sec is orange flavored liqueur, and that’ll work in a pinch to stand in place of the blood orange liqueur. Additionally, you can opt for a fancier citrus liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau.
- agave syrup – agave simple syrup is one of my favorite stand ins when you can’t make another seasonal syrup for margaritas. It plays up the agave taste of tequila while adding a slight earthy depth of flavor, too!
🧰 equipment needed & storage tips
🫙 can you store margaritas?
While technically you can store pre-made margaritas in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, they’re always best when freshly prepared. The citrus juices (especially lime) begin to lose their brightness and vibrant flavor after just a few hours.
If you do need to prepare in advance, store your mixed ingredients without ice in an airtight container in the refrigerator, then shake with ice just before serving to revive some of the freshness.
💬 q+a
Can I use regular oranges instead of blood oranges?
While you can substitute regular oranges, you’ll miss the distinct flavor and beautiful color of blood oranges!
What’s the best tequila to use for margaritas?
A good quality blanco (silver) tequila made from 100% blue weber agave is ideal. It provides a clean flavor that complements the blood orange without overpowering it.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Blood Orange Margarita (Sicilian Margarita Cocktail)
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Equipment
- 1 measuring beaker or jigger
- 1 cocktail glass
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces tequila silver/blanco, 100% agave
- .75 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 ounce arancello rossa blood orange liqueur
- .5 ounce blood orange syrup or agave syrup
- 3 drops saline solution for enhancing flavor
- ice for shaking and serving
- dehydrated blood orange for garnish
- orange salt optional, for rimming glass
Instructions
- Prep glassware. If desired, rim your glass with salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass, or dip it in simple syrup, then gently press it in salt. Fill with ice and set aside.orange salt, ice
- Add ingredients to shaker. Fill the shaker with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, arancello rossa, blood orange syrup, and saline solution (if using) to a cocktail shaker.1.5 ounces tequila, .75 ounce lime juice, 1 ounce arancello rossa, .5 ounce blood orange syrup, ice, 3 drops saline solution
- Shake well. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled.
- Strain into glass. Strain the mixture into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish + serve. Garnish with a blood orange slice and serve immediately.dehydrated blood orange
