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These vibrant, refreshing Blood Orange Margaritas are a seasonal, winter citrus twist on my all-time favourite cocktail and they’re perfect for your next Friday night at-home happy hour! I’d not made a new margarita flavour since I made Cucumber & Jalapeño Margaritas last Cinco de Mayo, so I thought it was about time I made a ruby red, blood orange version allowing the natural tart-sweetness of blood orange juice sing alongside that beautiful colour.
Can I use regular orange juice to make these margaritas instead?
Yes! But they’ll have a slightly different flavour (not necessarily a bad thing) and you’ll lose that beautiful blood orange colour.
Isn’t 60ml a lot of tequila for one drink? Can I make this blood orange margarita slightly less alcoholic?
I’ve been told that my margaritas are rather strong, so feel free to cut down on the tequila a bit if you think so too. I’d not recommend using a single shot of tequila (25ml) as it won’t balance right with the other ingredients, but using a double (50ml) will work with this recipe.
What is the difference between Triple Sec and Cointreau in margaritas?
You’ll see both in a margarita recipe, as Cointreau is simply a premium brand of Triple Sec and you can use them interchangeably. Cointreau does tend to be a little stronger than generic Triple Sec brands, however, so bear this in mind if you don’t like your drinks too strong.
A strong, fruity margarita that is a beautiful, refreshing way to enjoy the best of late winter blood oranges. Easily scaled up to make a pitcher for a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
120ml tequila blanco
40ml triple sec
juice of 3 large blood oranges
juice of 2 limes
2 large handfuls ice cubes
fine sea salt (optional, for salted glass rims)
Instructions
Combine the tequila, triple sec and citrus juice with a handful of ice in the cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for about a minute.
If you’re rimming the glasses, shake a thin layer of salt on one plate, and pour a little triple sec on another. Dip the glass rims first in the triple sec, then the salt, making sure only to coat the outside rim of the glass.
Divide the remaining ice between the two glasses, and strain over the margarita mix. Serve immediately.
Notes
To make a pitcher of margaritas: Mix all the ingredients together without any ice and chill completely. Add ice to the pitcher just before serving to add the necessary dilution and to keep things ice cold. Put an extra ice bucket out so guest can also add ice to their glasses.
I'm a food writer, professional recipe developer and cookbook author living in the English Countryside. I love creating easy, accessable recipes filled with vibrant world flavours that are manageable on busy weeknights. Simple and delicious dinners, from my kitchen to yours!
One Pan Pescatarian: 100 Delicious Dinners – Veggie, Vegan, Fish
My second cookbook contains 100 delicious dinner recipes, all of which are either vegetarian, vegan or which celebrate fish and seafood - all cooked in either one pot or one pan.*
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