Orange Margarita (2024)

This orange margarita recipe is full of big citrus flavor! Mix up this refreshing co*cktail as a single drink or a pitcher.

Here’s a refreshing, citrus-forward spin that we like almost even better than the original: try the Orange Margarita! Add fresh squeezed orange juice to this classic co*cktail and you get a zingy, sweetly perfumed drink that’s absolutely irresistible. You might think the margarita is all about lime and tequila: which is true. But the flavor for from the orange liqueur is essential to this famous flavor pairing. Accentuate it by adding even more orange, and it’s over the top delicious. In fact, it’s one of our new favorite margarita recipes (and we’ve made a lot of variations).

Looking for blood orange instead? Go to Blood Orange Margarita.

Ingredients in an orange margarita

The margarita is one of the most popular of allclassic co*cktails. Invented in Mexico in the 1930’s, it’s just as popular today (or even more so!). Every bar and restaurant makes a margarita differently, but we’re huge fans of the classic definition. We take it from the International Bartender Association’sIBA official co*cktails, which defines a margarita in just 3 simple ingredients. For the orange margarita, just add orange juice. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Tequila
• Triple Sec(orCointreau)
• Orange juice (fresh squeezed is best)
• Lime juice

Triple Sec vs Cointreau: which orange liqueur is best?

It’s easy to think of a margarita as just lime and tequila. But orange liqueur is a defining flavor! We’ve tried it without the orange liqueur, and it tastes a little flat. What’s the best Triple Sec for a margarita? Keep in mind: the term Triple Sec refers to both a category of orange liqueurs (including Cointreau), and a specific product. Here, we’re using the word Triple Sec to mean a bottle labeled with the words “Triple Sec.” Here’s what to use in an orange margarita:

• Triple Sechas a crisp, citrus-forward flavor that works well in the orange margarita. Find a quality triple sec brand, not the cheapest on the block. We like Drillauds.
• Cointreauworks too! It’s usually our favorite in a margarita, and it has a smoother flavor with warm spices and nuance. Read more atCointreau vs Triple Sec.

Fresh squeezed orange juice vs bottled

You can use any type of orange juice in this orange margarita: but our mantra is Fresh is best! Fresh squeezed citrus juice always tastes better than bottled. This is especially true for lemon and lime juices. You can find some decent bottled orange juice: so you can use it here as well. Just opt for the highest quality orange juice you can find, and make sure there are no added sweeteners. You can squeeze juice from any type of orange, from blood oranges to satsumas.

Make the orange margarita as a single drink, or a pitcher!

The orange margarita recipe below makes a single drink. But if you’re serving multiple people at once, we recommend making a pitcher version! This makes it easy to mix and make for a crowd. Make sure to use the exact amount of ice below to dilute the drink to the proper amount. Here’s what to add to a pitcher:

• 1 ½ cups tequila
• 1 ½ cups orange juice
• 1 cup Triple Sec or Cointreau
• 1 cup lime juice
• 3 handfuls ice

Add them together and stir. Then pour into glasses and serve! And that’s it: how to make an orange margarita! Let us know what you think of this drink in the comments below. And make sure to check out our other margarita recipes…keep reading!

More margarita recipes

Do you love the margarita as much as we do? Try each one of ourmargarita recipes:

• Classic:Simple Margarita,Patron Margarita, Casamigos Margarita, Agave Margarita,Texas Margarita orCointreau Margarita
• Light:Skinny Margarita,Virgin Margarita, Vodka Margarita orFrozen Margarita
• Boozy:Mezcal,Hennessy, Grand Marnier, orCadillac Margarita
• Fruity:Mango,Peach, Blueberry, Raspberry,Blackberry,Watermelon,Pineapple, Blood Orange,orGrapefruit Margarita
• Spicy:Jalapeno MargaritaorPineapple Jalapeno Margarita
• Unique:Italian,Blue, Coconut, Prickly Pear,Hibiscus, Cucumber MargaritaorBeer Margarita

When to serve an orange margarita

The orange margarita is refreshing and citrusy! It works as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Cinco de Mayo drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• co*cktail hour drink

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