This Spicy Blood Orange Margarita combines tangy and sweet blood orange juice with a subtle jalapeno kick for a new twist on the classic margarita that will leave you feeling like you are sitting on a beach in Mexico.
I have a confession to make, and don’t hate me on this one, but I don’t really care for margaritas. As much as I want to like them, classic margaritas just don’t do it for me. They are boring, and quite honestly most of the time they are just too sweet and somehow too tangy at the same time.
But, I do love a good twist on a margarita. Add some fresh fruit or spicy kick of jalapeno (or in the case of this Spicy Blood Orange Margarita… add both!), and now we have something to talk about!
I think my first introduction to a spicy margarita was on a trip we took to Isla Mujeres, Mexico last February. We were sitting on rustic wooden stumps at this artsy, hippy outdoor lunch café across the street from the beach, and the sun was hot. As the server set our drinks down in front of us, my friend Jacqi took a sip of her spicy margarita and immediately passed it over to me insisting I had to try it. One sip and I regretted my choice of a mojto (which I had thought sounded crisp refreshing) – and don’t get me wrong, the mojito was good, but that margarita was AMAZING! In fact, if we’re being honest, I think I passed my mojito off to Steve and ordered a spicy jalapeno margarita of my own.
Ever since that trip, Jacqi and I both jump at the chance for a spicy margarita!
But this Spicy Blood Orange Margarita takes a spicy margarita to a whole new level with tangy, sweet fresh squeezed blood orange juice.
What is in a Spicy Blood Orange Margarita?
When it comes to margaritas, I like to keep things simple. Just a few simple ingredients, carefully balanced, is all you need. This blood orange margarita mixes fresh squeezed blood orange juice, tart lime juice, tequila, and a jalapeno orange simple syrup for a slightly sweet , tangy, and spicy twist on a margarita that might just leave you feeling like you are relaxing beach side.
For the jalapeno orange simple syrup, I cut back the sugar just a bit to keep these margaritas from being too sweet. For me the blood orange juice adds enough sweetness on its own, so instead of equal parts sugar to waters like in a typical simple syrup, I used a ratio of 1 ½ cups water to just 1 cup sugar.
What Does a Blood Orange Taste Like?
The blood orange juice is really what sets this margarita apart. If you have never had a blood orange before, I absolutely recommend you try them. Blood oranges are like oranges elevated to a whole new level. The flesh is distinctively daker thanks to the presence of anthocyanins, a family of polyphenol pigments common to many flowers and fruit, but uncommon in citrus fruits.
The taste is citrusy but also sweeter than a typical orange and slightly floral with hints of raspberry or pomegranate flavors. Plus the bold maroon color is so bright and fun.
Blood oranges are at their peak in December through May, which is perfect because you can mix up this Spicy Blood Orange Margarita in the middle of February or March just when the cold gloomy days seem like they will never end. Then, as you sip on the tangy, sweet drink, (if you’re like me) you can pretend you are soaking up the sun on a warm beach in Mexico.
To really convince yourself you are somewhere warmer, these margaritas would pair perfectly with Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos with Strawberry Avocado Salsa.
How Spicy Does the Jalapeno Make These Blood Orange Margaritas?
The best part of the jalapeno orange simple syrup for these Spicy Blood Orange Margaritas is that you can control the heat level. Don’t love the heat? Just use one jalapeno and take out all of the seeds and membranes. You will get the subtle jalapeno flavor, without the burn. Can’t get enough spicy? Leave the seeds and membranes in. You can even throw in a second jalapeno if you want to really kick it up.
For Steve and I, I wanted to keep it kind of tame (Steve doesn’t like spicy as much as I do), so I removed most of the seeds and membranes, just leaving some in one of the jalapeno halves. But if I was making these for just me and Jacqi, I would probably step it up. Either way, you are sure to love these margaritas as much as I do!
Spicy Blood Orange Margarita
Ingredients
Jalapeno Orange Simple Syrup
- peel from 1 blood orange
- 1 jalapeno (cut in half long ways)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1½ cups water
Margarita
- 1 oz blood orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 oz lime juice
- 2 oz jalapeno orange simple syrup
- 2 oz tequila
- margarita salt or sugar to rim glass (optional)
Instructions
- In a shaker, add blood orange and lime juice, simple syrup, and tequila with ice. Shake.
- Pour margarita over ice in a glass rimmed with salt or sugar (if desired).
Jalapeno Orange Simple Syrup
- Using a citrus peeler or vegetable peeler, peel the outside zest off of one orange in strips, being careful not to get too much bitter white pith.
- Slice jalapeno in half lengthwise, removing seeds for less heat if desired. Place orange peel/zest, jalapeno, sugar, and water in a small pot. Bring to boil and stir until sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from heat, remove jalapeno and orange peel, and chill until ready to use.