Blood Orange Margarita

• Tequila (blanco or reposado)
  60 ml (2 oz)

  Blanco for brightness, reposado for a touch of oak.
• Blood orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  45 ml (1.5 oz)

  About 1 medium blood orange.
• Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
  25 ml (0.75 oz)

  About half a lime.
• Orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  Adds citrus complexity.
• Agave syrup
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  Adjust to taste for sweetness.
• Salt (for rim)
  1 pinch

  Optional, for glass rim.

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Citrus juicer
• Strainer
• Rocks glass

1. 1

   If desired, rim your glass with salt: run a lime wedge around the rim and dip it in coarse salt.

2. 2

   Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

3. 3

   Add tequila, blood orange juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave syrup to the shaker.

4. 4

   Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well-chilled.

5. 5

   Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

6. 6

   Garnish with a blood orange wheel and, optionally, a lime wedge.

• The vibrant color makes it a showstopper at any gathering.
• The sweet-tart flavor profile is refreshing and unique.
• It uses fresh, seasonal ingredients for a craft cocktail experience.
• Easy to make at home with standard bar tools.
• A fun, fruity twist on the beloved margarita.

While the classic margarita has roots in Mexico dating back to the 1930s or 1940s, the Blood Orange Margarita is a modern riff that gained popularity in the early 2000s as craft bartenders began experimenting with fresh, seasonal fruits. Blood oranges, with their deep red hue and sweet-tart profile, found their way into margarita recipes, adding both striking color and a unique flavor twist. This cocktail has become a favorite in trendy bars and at home, especially during blood orange season (typically winter to early spring).