What is a blood orange?
The crimson-streaked flesh of blood orange is sweeter than a regular navel orange and a little less acidic, with hints of berry flavour. These bold-flavoured oranges are generally much juicier than their navel relatives and are softer. The iconic dark red hue comes from the presence of anthocyanins, a pigment common to flowers and berries but usually rare in citrus. Blood oranges are in season in the winter months and start fruiting a month earlier than the navels, usually in December.
Let’s talk ingredients
The Blood Orange Margarita is one of the best cocktails for beginners; you just combine all the ingredients and give them a good shake. It’s built with the same blocks as the OG Margarita, which features on the list of classic Mexican cocktails.
The main ingredients are freshly squeezed blood orange juice, tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and a dash of Campari. (opens in new window) A little sugar syrup adds some sweetness.
Make sure you use a good quality tequila like Cabo Wabo (opens in new window) or Espolòn (opens in new window) as this recipe calls for a smooth unaged blanco to add balance. For the orange liqueur, choose one that offers bitter orange notes like Grand Marnier (opens in new window) for adding extra depth of flavour.
How to salt the rim of a Margarita glass
The finishing touch is a salt rim. Do this first before pouring your drink by tipping some sea salt onto a saucer, rubbing a wedge of orange or lime around the edge of a rocks glass or tumbler to wet it before twisting the rim in the salt. A salt rim elevates the flavour and brings that extra Insta-appeal to your drink.
Fresh blood orange juice alternatives
If you don’t have fresh fruit for your blood orange drink recipes, a 100% pure carton of juice will still work. Shop-bought juices can be sweeter, so you may need to reduce the amount of sugar syrup in the cocktail. You can also substitute the blood orange with regular orange juice – just remember you’ll lose a little sweetness, so add more sugar syrup.
Why is Campari a great addition to your Margarita?
When you add Campari to a drink, you’re adding an extra layer of complexity. This iconic Italian aperitif adds a bittersweet note that plays beautifully with the sweetness of the blood orange and the sharpness of the lime. It elevates the classic Margarita, making it feel just a bit more sophisticated. If you’re new to Campari, don’t worry—the bitterness mellows out with the other ingredients, creating a balanced, delicious cocktail.
Also see: Drink Like an Italian: Best Campari Cocktails to Try
Can I use agave syrup instead of sugar syrup?
Yes! If you want to give your cocktail a more traditional Mexican twist, swap out the sugar syrup for agave syrup. Agave syrup has a more neutral sweetness than sugar syrup and enhances the flavour of the tequila. It’s also a great option if you prefer a less-processed sweetener. Just be sure to use light agave syrup to keep the balance right in the drink.
Learn more: Easy Syrup Variations for Cocktail Making
More cocktails to try if you love this one
- Classic Margarita: Made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, it’s a timeless favourite for a reason!
- Paloma: Another Mexican classic, made with tequila and grapefruit soda. It’s simple, fresh, and full of zesty flavour.
- Tequila Sunrise: A colourful, layered drink made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.
- Negroni: A beloved Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.