When I made this blood orange margarita in February I mentioned that I normally reserve margaritas for the summer. And this cocktail is the one I save until then. The first touch of warm weather and I start to think of margaritas; there is something about warm weather, a barbecue and having friends over that makes a pitcher of these a required element at my backyard get togethers. I say margaritas and my friends and neighbors know and I can count on them to flock to my backyard and I just know it’s not the food! I’ve been dying to do this cocktail for Happy Hour Friday but I had to wait until the time was right and FINALLY the time is now!
What makes this drink so special? It’s the attention to detail; from the type of tequila to the quality of ingredients and ending with the preparation. It’s not something you can throw together at a moment’s notice (though I do have a quick version) but the wait is worthwhile, trust me. Letting the different flavors meld together from the juices and zest infuses this cocktail with a bright citrus punch. The longer the zest and juice mixture is allowed to steep, the more developed the citrus flavors are in the finished margarita. If I’m planning ahead for company, I will let the citrus mixture steep for 24 hours, although the margaritas will still be great if the mixture is steeped only for the minimum 4 hours. If you’re in a rush and need to serve margaritas immediately go ahead and try the quick version; it’s good too but the more time the better.
Two of the most important elements that make this what I consider the best are the tequila and the orange liqueur. I’m not recommending the finest sipping tequila, that would be a waste when mixing a margarita, but I do recommend stepping it up a notch from the cheapest available. I always use Tequila Reserva 1800 Anejo. It’s 100% de Agave, double distilled, and aged in French oak and American Oak for 6 months. The aging serves to smooth out a tequila, reducing some of the harshness and for me, this brand has always been my go to for this cocktail. Equally important is the orange liqueur. So many folks reach for Triple Sec; it’s certainly the cheapest. However, with that price is this reality; it’s sugar water with artificial flavors. Spend a few more dollars on an orange liqueur which will have the actual essence of orange in it and this cocktail will benefit greatly. I use Patron’s Citronge but Grand Marnier and other orange liqueurs are fine too.
Somewhere along the way I started to experiment with citrus elements and I’ve found I like a blend; some lime, some lemon and even some orange; use these fresh ingredients instead of a margarita mix and you will NEVER go back…I’m willing to bet you a cocktail on that!
I first put this cocktail on my blog almost 4 years ago to the day when I think my daughter might have been my only reader. I’m certain it was for the same reason; tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and Denver has a large Hispanic population so it’s a big celebration here. I do my part to honor that day with this margarita, my favorite corn salsa with chips, a simple guacamole I love and a dinner of fajitas for family and friends. Last year I put together a compilation of some great Mexican foods for Cinco de Mayo and that list is still a good one today. Great foods for a celebration or in my case, a barbecue…sort of the same thing!
Using quality fresh ingredients makes all the difference with this margarita!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 4 teaspoons grated lime zest
- 1/2 cup lime juice from 2 to 3 medium limes
- 4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1/2 cup lemon juice from 2 to 3 medium lemons
- 1 tsp grated orange zest
- 1/8 to 1/4 cup orange juice from 1 small orange
- pinch table salt
- 2 cups crushed ice
- 1 cup 100 percent agave tequila, preferably Reposado
- 1 cup Citronge or Grand Marnier
Preparation
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Add the sugar to the boiling water and remove from heat as soon as the sugar is dissolved.
- Refrigerate the simple syrup and allow to cool completely before adding to the other ingredients
- Combine simple syrup with the lime, lemon and orange juices and zest with salt in a large liquid measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until flavors meld, 4 to 24 hours.
- Salt rims of glasses if desired by rubbing rim with lime slice and dipping in combination of equal parts sugar and kosher salt.
- Fill 4-6 margarita or double old-fashioned glasses. Pour juice mixture into 1-quart pitcher or cocktail shaker.
- Add tequila, orange liqueur, and remaining crushed ice; stir or shake until thoroughly combined and chilled, 20 to 60 seconds.
- Strain into ice-filled glasses; serve immediately.
Notes
In a hurry? Skip the zest, combine all the ingredients and serve immediately. I try to give it at least the four hours but in a pinch? This is still very good!
For a Girls Nite Out we’ll add some Pomegranate Liqueur instead of the orange liquor for a girly pink version!
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
R these very strong?
Like any mixed drink there is a fair amount of alcohol by volume if that’s what you are asking.
When I see this it makes me want to sit out on the porch and sip it while reading a nice book.
First you read and then you nap. I typically make my cocktails over the weekend or at least on Thursday night so I can enjoy at least one of them. Crazy week and had to make this first thing Friday morning. First…I could have downed it as my breakfast beverage but knew better so waited til all of 3pm. Why did I not think I would be done for the day? Yes, without friends here, a nap was calling loudly! Enjoy and Cheers!
A GOOD marg isn’t tough, but you totally need to pay attention to detail and use good quality! And this Barb is a GOOD marg! I love the Pomegranate Liqueur suggestion to make it pink, how fun!
Isn’t that the truth. EVERY time I see a recipe that calls for Triple Sec I want to scream…NO!! But I would be hoarse with that effort so I just keep sort of quiet and make sure I take care of my own. :)
If it weren’t so far of a trip I’d be heading over for one of these…..I know I invited myself. I couldn’t help it….I do dishes :)
Anytime…we’ll make do even if I don’t have advance notice!
This looks really good, I’m starting to get thirsty.
Ah, I just need a porch swing and that bowl of salsa and chips. Sounds and looks cool, refreshing and citrussy sweet. You’ll make me a drinking – or a sipping – woman yet. And I always learn something with every one of your cocktail posts (I never paid attention to anything drink related before). I love your Cocktail Fridays!
If you were here I most certainly would. I’ve said it before; I’m not a big drinker; one cocktail, at MOST two and always with friends…but I do love them and I do love making them too and glad you stop by and at least enjoy the effort. That matters to me; having one with you would be even better!
I am such a novice to making cocktails..your in depth description sure helps! :)
Can I pretend I don’t believe you just to get this cocktail out of it? ;)
Definitely quality ingredients going into this. Love reposado; so smooth!
I’m not a julep kinda of a girl but I will take a margarita any day. Yours looks fabulous. Love the citrus element. A pitcher would have been just perfect on this hot Saturday (and it’s not even summer yet;)
It was perfect last week; today? Not so much. 40 degrees and rainy. I’m all for the rainy we needed some moisture SO bad. The cold? Not so much.
Okay….next time you make a drink I need to be over so I can enjoy it :) this looks so GOOD!!!!!
Here’s the deal. You give me the word and I’ll have them made. It’s that simple. :)
Sounds incredible Barb. Happy Cinco de Mayo!! :) p.s. – I’d rather drink a margi over a julep any old day.
Me too…but I do love to watch the Derby; always so relieved when it’s over too and no horses were injured; I worry about that too much probably but they are such gorgeous creatures and I just cry when one gets hurt.
Um, would you consider moving to Wyoming and be my neighbor? I need one or two of these in my life!
Better if you take a road trip and scoot down here; I’ll have a pitcher waiting. :)
Love the addition of the Citronge, that does sound like a perfect margarita! Hugs, Terra
So good it was all I could do to not down it after a morning shoot…my friend was thinking I could call it a Margarita Mimosa and get away with it but I decided better. I know how potent these are!
You know so much about the art of mixing a cocktail, I learned a lot from this post and plan on making the margarita after I get proper tequila and dump my triple sec. I do have Grand Marnier though. This drink sounds perfectly balanced, fresh and delicious.
Gosh Suzanne, thank you. If sharing what I love is what I do here…the very most I can ever expect is having someone enjoy that effort. Dumping the triple sec is a good idea…the difference in the quality of taste is pretty remarkable and makes a big difference!
Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have one of these right now!!! I love the citrus blend as well Barb but I’ve never steeped it with the simple syrup before so I have got to try it!!! Would love to share a pitcher of these with you!!
I would love to share a half a pitcher with you…I know how potent these pups are! I only started adding some OJ last summer…what took me so long? I keep it minimal to not overpower the lime and lemon juices but it makes them even better than they were before and I thought that impossible. Time to catch up soon? XO
I must say, this looks just lovely and very tempting. When the weather warms up, my first thoughts turn to gin as I had a nasty brush with tequila in my late teens. But this looks divine – we’ll share one some day, Barb!
I’m betting it was probably rot gut tequila because well, you mention being in your teens! Would love to share a cocktail one day; I’ll even make you a drink with gin, promise!
I vaguely remember you telling me about this margarita. I think Brian would do just about anything if I whipped him up one of these…maybe even empty the dishwasher. Another great cocktail, Barb!
OK, then you must do it…but you must also hold out for something more than emptying of the dishwasher! And thanks Jamie…this is truly my all time favorite. I came ‘this’ close to having it for breakfast…you know, it does have some OJ in it, right? :)
Beautiful photos of a delicious drink. I’m going to have to try these. Maybe we can convince you to make these for our next meet up. I mean even though it is in the morning they do have OJ in them. We could just call them Mexican mimosas.
I went out for dinner last night…guess when I did this drink? This morning! Once done I took a sip and believe me, it was ALL I could do to not just finish it off. I held off til 3pm under the auspices of ‘It’s 5 o’clock somewhere’ and them wanted a nap. Good thing I’ve never done the three martini lunch; I would be good for nothing afterwards!
You really have the best cocktails :) I’ll be dropping by the state store to pick up this tequila – your recipes have never steered me wrong and I’m sure this tequila will run circles around what’s already in my liquor cabinet :)
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos Most Recent Post: Leftover Rotisserie Chicken – Make Roasted Chicken Orzo
Thank you Aly; I love making them and sharing them so REALLY love someone enjoying them! It’s not super pricey but I think head and shoulders above something like Cuervo Gold. Let me know if you make it and Cheers!
GULP!!!! I want I want I want!! I will drive all the way down for this! :)
Ansh Most Recent Post: Basil Seeds and Coconut Water Drink – Bonda Sharbat – Inspirational Thursday
We have to plan a Girls Nite Out in June on my patio…there WILL be margaritas, promise.
This looks so refreshing and I’m sure it goes down really smooth! Perhaps this summer will be the summer that I have my first margarita!
Paula Most Recent Post: DIY Cookie Decorating Caddy
You MUST try it. Too often restaurants make them too strong, homemade are often made with a bottled mix and they just don’t compare. A smooth tequila and some great components and it’s refreshing with just a bite. I think perfect.
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