• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Gluten Free Cocktails

    Published: Feb 16, 2022 · Modified: Nov 21, 2022 by Jen Wooster

    Blood Orange Margarita

    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    blood orange margaritas in a rocks glass with orange wheel.
    collage with steps to make orange margaritas.
    2 margasritas and gold cocktail shaker.
    close up of pink margarita in a rocks glass with garnish.

    Freshly squeezed juice gives this easy blood orange margarita recipe a subtly sweet flavor with no added sugars. This margarita is by far my favorite blood orange cocktail, and I hope you enjoy it too. We have included instructions for serving on the rocks, frozen, or even better- by the pitcher!

    close up of pink margarita in a rocks glass with garnish.

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    We often think that margaritas are for vacations, summer pool parties, and Cinco de Mayo. But winter is prime citrus season and blood oranges are in their prime. Plus, it is pink- perfect for February!

    We have been trying different blood orange cocktail recipes and this has turned out to be my favorite. It has been in regular rotation along with our other winter citrus favorite- the mezcal grapefruit paloma.

    Jump to:
    • 📖 Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • ⏲️How to Make Blood Orange Margaritas
    • Blood Orange Margarita- Pitcher Recipe
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Variations
    • 🔪Equipment
    • 🍹More Winter Cocktail Recipes
    • 💬Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    📖 Why This Recipe Works

    This recipe takes the best part of traditional margaritas and gives the recipe new life. This margarita recipe has a smooth taste and just the right amount of sweetness.

    • Blood oranges have a lovely sweet flavor that cuts down on the strong tequila taste of most margaritas
    • Blood oranges are lower in acid than limes or regular oranges making this an easy drinker
    • Sugar-free and no yucky sour mix
    • Classic margarita preparation with orange liqueur

    🧾Ingredient Notes

    This recipe just needs a few classic margarita ingredients.

    • Tequila- I pI prefer a Blanco tequila for this margarita recipe. The best type of tequila to use for good margaritas is one you like. Some people prefer reposado tequila which is aged longer.
    • Cointreau- Cointreau is a type of triple sec, an orange liqueur. Generic triple secs can be substituted but Cointreau is the brand I recommend.
    • Fresh Blood Oranges- Fresh is best but unsweetened 100% juice from a bottle also works.
    • Fresh Limes- Again fresh is best, but otherwise unsweetened bottled lime juice works just fine.
    • Pink Sea Salt- Yes you can use regular kosher salt, but the pink compliments the vibrant hue of the blood oranges so well.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    blood orange margaritas recipe ingredients on a counter.

    ⏲️How to Make Blood Orange Margaritas

    We are going to break this cocktail by how it is served. Starting with individual cocktails and then our margarita pitcher recipe.

    Salt the Rim

    The easiest thing to do is pour your salt on a small saucer or plate. Use a lime wedge to dampen the rim of your glass. Dip the top of the glass into the salt on your plate. The salt will stick to the lime juice.

    Note: You can use a traditional margarita glass, a rocks glass, or a highball glass to serve.

    pressing an upside down cocktail glass into a plate of salt.

    Individual Margarita on the Rocks

    In a cocktail shaker, combine your favorite tequila, Cointreau, orange juice, and lime juice. Fill with crushed ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds. You will know when it is chilled because the outside of the shaker frosts over.

    Place ice in your salt-rimmed glasses. Strain the margarita when pouring to remove any stray seeds or pulp from the lime juice.

    You can add a splash of club soda if you like more bubbles in your cocktails. Garnish with lime and orange wedges. Or even a sprig of mint!

    Sit back, relax, and have some chips and roasted tomato salsa.

    pouring margarita from cocktail shaker into glass with ice.

    Frozen Blood Orange Margaritas

    Place the tequila, Cointreau, blood orange juice, and lime juice in a blender with 3 to 4 cups of ice. Blend on high until slushy. Serve in a glass with a salted rim.

    Blood Orange Margarita- Pitcher Recipe

    Perfect for a large gathering! Combine the following qualities in a large pitcher and stir well before serving.

    • 3 cups tequila
    • 1 ½ cups Cointreau
    • 2 to 3 cups blood orange juice (this can be hard to find fresh so I often use 50/50 blood OJ to regular OJ)
    • 1 cup lime juice
    • 3-5 cups of ice

    You can make your margarita pitcher 2 to 3 hours in advance. Keep in the fridge but don't add the ice until you are ready to serve. We don't want to water that goodness down.

    blood orange margaritas on a counter with gold cocktail shaker.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • To get the most juice from your oranges and limes look for ones that are a little soft. Before cutting roll them between your palm and the kitchen counter, pressing down firmly.
    • A manual citrus juice squeezer will maximize the juice you get out of each piece of fruit.
    • Shake, don't stir, your margarita for a better appearance.
    • Larger ice cubes melt slower keeping your drink chilled, and not watered down.

    💭 Variations

    Put your own twist on this cocktail with the following options!

    Spicy Blood Orange Margarita

    Add two to four slices of fresh jalapeno to the cocktail shaker and muddle before adding the ice and other ingredients. Make as usual. Add additional jalapeno slices as a garnish.

    You can also do the same chili-lime salt rim we use in our mezcal paloma if you are feeling festive.

    Low Alchohol Margarita (i.e. Margarita without Triple Sec)

    Want a drink but not so much alcohol? No problem! Skip the Cointreau and add an equal amount of fresh-squeezed orange juice instead.

    🔪Equipment

    Don't have a cocktail shaker? No worries, use a mason jar or a clean empty jam jar.
    No jigger for measuring out your tequila? Use a shot glass. A standard shot glass holds 1.5 ounces.

    using a cocktail jigger to properly measure out the tequila.

    🍹More Winter Cocktail Recipes

    • Cocktail glass with an orange slice, fresh cranberries, and a rosemary sprig garnish.
      Cranberry Gin Cocktail
    • coconut lime margarita with a toasted coconut rim and lime garnish
      Coconut Margaritas
    • overhead shot of three apple whiskey smash cocktails
      Apple Whiskey Smash
    • two mezcal mule cocktails in copper mugs with limes and mint
      Mezcal Mule

    💬Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between Cointreau and triple sec?

    Triple sec refers to a type of dry orange liqueur. Typically, between 15 and 30 proof. While Cointreau is a name brand of triple sec that is 40 proof.

    Grand Marnier is often referred to as a Cointreau alternative but is actually a Curacao- triple sec hybrid made from Cognac.

    Where can I find blood oranges?

    Most major grocery store chains carry blood oranges when they are in season from December to May.

    What do blood oranges taste like?

    Blood oranges are slightly sweet and less acidic than your average naval oranges. They have a subtle berry undertone to them. They range in color from dark pink to bright purple, but the color doesn't impact the flavor.

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    blood orange margarita recipe in a cocktail glass with orange wheel garnish.

    Blood Orange Margaritas

    This is the BEST blood orange margarita recipe. It can be served frozen or on the rocks. Not too sweet and incredibly refreshing. The perfect margarita for citrus season.
    Servings: 2
    Prep: 5 mins
    Total: 5 mins
    5 from 12 votes
    PRINT PIN SAVE

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker
    • Stainless steel jigger for measuring

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 oz silver tequila
    • 1.5 oz Cointreau or other triple sec
    • 3 oz fresh squeezed blood orange juice 1-2 oranges
    • 1 oz fresh squeezed lime juice
    • ¼ cup Pink Himalayan salt ( or glass rim)
    • Club soda optional
    • Blood orange and lime slices for garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Spread the salt on a small plate. Wipe the rim of two highball glasses with a wedge of lime. Dip into the salt to coat the rim.

    Blood Orange Margarita on the Rocks

    • In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, orange liqueur, blood orange and lime juice over ice. Secure the lid and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 to 20 seconds.
    • Strain margarita into both glasses. It is optional to top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with lime and orange wedges and serve.

    Frozen Blood Orange Margarita

    • Place the tequila, orange liqueur, blood orange, and lime juice in a blender with 3 to 4 cups of ice. Blend on high until slushy.
    • Divide the margarita between the two glasses. Garnish with lime and orange wedges and serve.
    Rate this Recipe

    Notes

    • To maximize the juice you get from your oranges and limes roll them around on your counter, pressing down slightly. Then cut and squeeze the juice out. 
    • Want a sweeter margarita? Add ½ ounce of simple syrup.
    • See blog post for spicy blood orange margarita variation.
    • See blog post for pitcher quantities as the ratios differ slightly. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 186kcal | Carbs: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Fiber: 1g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Cocktail
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Keyword frozen orange margarita, pink cocktails, winter margarita
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • glass of hard apple cider
      Homemade Hard Apple Cider
    • two gin and tonics with cucumbers and mint
      Cucumber Gin and Tonic
    • pink cocktail in a glass with fresh strawberries
      Strawberry Whiskey Smash
    • red white and blue layered jello shot with whipped cream and a cherry
      Red, White, and Blue Jello Shots
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Greetings!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    More About Me...

    Subscribe

    Not To Miss Recipes!

    • roasted eggplant on baking sheet
      Easy Oven Roasted Eggplant Slices
    • parmsean roasted zuchhini and yellow squash on a plate.
      Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • christmas cookies decorated with royal icing
      Royal Icing with Meringue Powder
    • Roasted cornish hens on a plate with oranges and herbs.
      Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2023 Peel with Zeal