Orange Margarita Recipe
This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Skip to Recipe
Fresh orange juice and lime juice combine with blanco tequila, orange liqueur, and a little sweetness from simple syrup in this Orange Margarita recipe for the ultimate in bright and refreshing summer margaritas.
Using fresh squeezed orange juice adds a naturally sweet flavor creating a juicy and smooth taste. This sweetness can mellow the drink, making it feel more refreshing and less sharp, creating a bright and uplifting cocktail that evokes feelings of summer. Its bright orange hue adds a cheerful touch, making it a hit at parties, brunches, or casual get-togethers.
Orange margaritas tend to be more approachable than their classic margarita cousin. The fresh orange flavor can also hide some of the tequila’s bite, making it easier to drink and appealing to those who prefer sweeter cocktails.
You won’t find sour mix in any of the recipes on my site for a lot of reasons, the main one being that by using freshly squeezed juices instead of pre-made sour mixes it reduces both sugar content and artificial additives. You can also customize the sweetness of your drink when you add that in separately.
Want more delicious citrus margarita recipes? Try my blood orange margaritas or triple citrus margaritas.
Ingredients
- Blanco tequila – Choose your favorite silver tequila aka blanco tequila. Skip the aged reposado tequila for this recipe. It will overwhelm the orange flavor.
- Oranges – Use fresh navel oranges with firm skin on them for your margaritas. Now’s not the time to use up the wrinkly oranges in the back of the fruit drawer.
- Simple syrup – Make your own simple syrup at home using just water and sugar. Get the full recipe on my simple syrup recipe page. Want a different sweetener? Swap out the simple syrup for agave nectar.
- Limes – Fresh limes with a little bit of give to them (like a ripe avocado) are what you want for any margarita. Give them a firm roll on the counter using the palm of your hand to apply pressure and get the most juice out of your limes before using them in your drink.
- Orange liqueur – Choose your favorite orange liqueur (I like Cointreau) or use triple sec to add additional orange flavor and sweetness.
- Coarse salt (garnish) – A salted rim is the classic margarita garnish. If you don’t like all that salt or want something different on this orange marg, use orange or white decorating sugar on the rim of your glass instead.
How to Make Orange Margaritas
Run a slice of lime around the rim of a rocks glass.
Pour some coarse salt into a shallow, small dish. Dip the rim into the salt. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Set aside.
In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, combine tequila, orange juice, simple syrup, lime juice and triple sec.
Shake well for 10 seconds and strain into your prepared glass.
Garnish with orange slices and/or a wedge of lime.
Sip and enjoy!
Shop These Photos
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Fluted Double Old Fashioned Glasses
Buy Now →
Orange Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- 1 oz orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 oz simple syrup, or agave nectar
- 0.75 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.5 oz orange liqueur , or triple sec
- Coarse salt, garnish
- Orange slices and/or lime wedges , garnish
Instructions
- Run a slice of lime around the rim of a rocks glass.
- Pour some coarse salt into a shallow, small dish. Dip the rim into the salt.Coarse salt
- Fill the glass with ice cubes. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice, combine tequila, orange juice, simple syrup, lime juice and triple sec.2 oz blanco tequila, 1 oz orange juice, 1 oz simple syrup, 0.75 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz orange liqueur
- Shake well for 10 seconds.
- Strain into your prepared glass.
- Garnish with orange slices and/or a wedge of lime.Orange slices and/or lime wedges
- Sip and enjoy!
Recipe Tip
As written, the recipe calls for the juice from navel oranges. However the juice from Cara Cara oranges or even clementines would be delicious in these margaritas.
Making Homemade Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is easily made at home using 2 ingredients – water and sugar. Even better – you can make it in the microwave! Get all my tips and tricks over on my Simple Syrup Recipe page.
Orange Margaritas by the Pitcher
Makes 8 margaritas.
- 16 oz (2 cups) blanco tequila
- 8 oz (1 cup) fresh orange juice
- 8 oz (1 cup) simple syrup
- 6 oz (⅔ cup) fresh lime juice
- 4 oz (½ cup) orange liqueur or triple sec
- 4 oz (½ cup) cold water*
Combine tequila, orange juice, simple syrup, lime juice, orange liqueur and cold water in a large pitcher. Stir well to combine. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Serve in salt rimmed glasses filled with ice.
*Note: This water is to take the place of shaking each individual drink. If you plan to shake each drink, you may omit the water. If you want to set out the pitcher and let guests pour their own drinks, keep the water in this recipe.
How to Garnish this Orange Margarita
The easiest garnish for this margarita is a salted rim with an orange wedge or lime wedge.
If you want to do an orange slice on the side of the glass like I’ve done in these photos, slice your orange on the equator and then into thin slices. After you’ve salted the rim, lay your glass on its side and place the orange slice into the glass. With your glass still on its side, start filling it with ice, tipping it up slowly as the ice begins to hold the orange slice in place. Finish filling your glass with ice before strain in your cocktail. You can use this same technique with lime slices if you prefer.
Looking for more Margarita Recipes?
Margaritas are my top favorite cocktail, so I’m always making up riffs and twists on the classic margarita cocktail. Try my Peach Margarita or Raspberry Margarita for a fruity, summer twist. For bright citrus flavors and surprising color riffs, shake up a Blue Margarita or Hibiscus Margarita.
What to Serve with Orange Margaritas
Margaritas mean it’s time to break out the Mexican-inspired fare! I love making a fresh batch of homemade tortilla chips and pairing them with my Avocado Corn Salsa, 5 Minute Blender Salsa, or savory Peach Mango Salsa.
