Blood Orange Margarita Recipe

by | Sep 5, 2025 | Cocktail Recipes, Seasonal Cocktails, Signature Drinks

Blood Orange Margarita in a rocks glass with salted rim, ice cubes, and blood orange wheel garnish on marble bar top with blurred citrus background

Blood Orange Margarita cocktail is a ruby, citrus-forward riff that’s equal parts bold and refreshing. We first poured these for a winter wedding on Long Island last year and the guests kept asking “what’s this pink margarita?”
Fresh blood orange juice brings berry-citrus notes, balanced with lime, quality orange liqueur, and tequila (I personally enjoy a reposado variation for a round, vanilla, aged oak & citrus finish).

About This Blood Orange Margarita

At its core, this follows the classic 3-2-1 margarita ratio (3 tequila, 2 orange liqueur, 1 lime) with a seasonal boost of fresh blood orange. The result is a margarita that tastes like sunshine in winter—bright, gently sweet, and beautifully tart.

Pro link: Planning bottles for a crowd? Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator to size tequila, liqueur, and citrus by guest count.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz tequila (reposado for roundness, or blanco for clean citrus)
  • 1 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or high-quality triple sec)
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1–1.25 oz fresh blood orange juice (to taste; sweeter fruit may need less)
  • 0–0.25 oz agave syrup (optional, for balance)
  • Pinch of fine salt (optional, sharpens citrus)
  • Ice
  • Garnish: blood orange wheel or wedge; salt or Tajín rim (optional)

Steps

  1. Rim the glass (optional): Swipe the rim with a lime wedge and dip into salt or Tajín. Fill with fresh ice if serving on the rocks.
  2. Shake: In a shaker, add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, blood orange juice, optional agave, a small pinch of salt, and ice. Shake hard 12–15 seconds.
  3. Strain: Double-strain into a chilled coupe (up) or over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
  4. Garnish & serve: Add a blood orange wheel or wedge. Cheers!

Bar Tips

  • Seasonality: Blood oranges vary in sweetness; adjust with a splash of agave or extra lime.
  • Tequila choice: Reposado adds a smooth, toasty note; blanco keeps it zippy.
  • Ice quality: Big cubes = slower dilution and brighter color.

Flavor Pairings

  • Mixes well with: lime, lemon, thyme, rosemary, ginger.
  • Food pairings: shrimp tacos, roasted chicken with herbs, salty chips + salsa.

Variations

  • Spicy Blood Orange: Muddle 1–2 jalapeño slices before shaking; Tajín rim.
  • Herbal: Lightly clap a sprig of rosemary or thyme and shake it in for aromatic depth.
  • Frozen: Blend with 1 cup ice; add 0.25–0.5 oz extra blood orange juice to keep body.

Party Batch (8 drinks)

  • 2 cups (16 oz) tequila
  • 1 cup (8 oz) orange liqueur
  • 1 cup (8 oz) fresh lime juice
  • 1 – 1¼ cups (8–10 oz) fresh blood orange juice, to taste
  • 2–4 tbsp agave syrup (optional)

Combine in a pitcher, chill 2–4 hours, and stir before serving. Pour ~4–5 oz per drink over ice. Garnish each glass with a blood orange wheel.

When to Serve

Perfect for winter gatherings, Valentine’s parties, and fall weddings when you want color that pops. Need an extra set of hands? Hire a bartender and we’ll batch + garnish on site.

See more Cocktail Recipes or our seasonal roundup: Fall Cocktail Recipes.

What white wine is good for fall sangria?

Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay work well if you prefer white wine sangria. For this recipe, we use red wine, but white creates a lighter, fruitier version.

Should sangria be made the night before?

Absolutely! We recommend chilling overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the fruit to infuse. Just add sparkling soda or ginger beer right before serving.

What is the traditional sangria recipe?

Classic sangria uses red wine, brandy, orange juice, sugar, and sliced fruit. Our fall version swaps in apple cider and seasonal spices for autumn flavor.

What are common mistakes when making sangria?

Using expensive wine, serving it immediately (instead of chilling), or adding sparkling elements too early. Always let the sangria rest and fizz last.