Squeeze some oranges and find a lovely orange liqueur to craft this citrusy and crisp Orange Margarita.
For me, it doesn’t really matter what time of year it is; I’ll always enjoy something citrusy. Anything, actually. Are lemons present? I’m there. Is a lime involved? Sign me up. Will oranges be doing anything entertaining? What time, and what do I wear? These scurvy-defeating fruits are a near-obsession with me, and I must have some on hand at all times. Without these yellow, green and, well, orange-colored juicy treats, I’d feel lost. As the late comedian Mitch Hedberg once pointed out, when I have them at my disposal, I feel “saved by the buoyancy of citrus.”
A classic and traditional Margarita will never go out of style, especially once the summer months come to visit. And part of its charm is the tart and sweet citrus notes each ‘Rita carries within it. Lime and triple sec are usually the order of the day, but tonight’s recipe adds a little extra zip.
The Orange Margarita is really just the tipple we all know and love, but with a difference. Instead of just the standard triple sec, we’ll be crafting this cocktail with a little extra citrus injection, thanks to freshly squeezed orange juice. Both buoyant and balanced, the experience you’ll have with the elixir we’re mixing tonight will be delectable and unforgettable.
What is the best tequila to use to make an Orange Margarita?
We’re going to stick with a silver tequila for this concoction. Since we’ll want the citrusy, orange notes to shine a little, the clear colored and earthy, agave-forward blanco tequila will help deliver a balanced and tasty tipple, along with helping to keep its orange hue when it’s all mixed together and ready to serve.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and salt for the rim
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- 2 ounces orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass to moisten it. Then dip the rim into a small plate of salt.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, fresh orange juice, triple sec, and fresh lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
- Add ice to the prepared glass and strain your cocktail into it.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
A large, wide-mouthed margarita glass filled with ice is ideal, along with a salted rim and an orange wheel for garnish. If none is available to you, a rocks or Old Fashioned glass will do the trick in a pinch.
What is the best triple sec to use?
For our recipe, Cointreau is the suggested cordial to mix into this drink. Less sweet than other orange-flavored liqueurs, using this ingredient will lead to a crisp and balanced flavor that, in turn, results in a poised and delicious cocktail.
Other Margarita variations worth trying
If you entered a room that had every Margarita known to man presented before you, overwhelming would probably be an understatement. One of the most popular cocktails ever, there seems to be an endless river of ‘Rita variants flowing into the hands of thirsty drinkers. Check out a few here.
- Blue Margarita – This Tiki-inspired tipple will have you exclaiming surf’s up!
- Texas Margarita – Another orange-flavored favorite, with a big and potent citrus taste.
- Italian Margarita – Don’t forget the side of breadsticks when sipping on this cocktail.
- Frozen Margarita – One of the most popular takes on the classic drink.
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