Orange Margarita

Celebrate the glorious citrus season with this sunny Orange Margarita. This tangy cocktail is super easy to make with just a few ingredients!

Orange Margarita Recipe

If I had to pick a single cocktail as my all-around favorite, it would have to be the margarita. I like the sweet/tart mixture that contrasts with the course rim of salt on the glass. And there’s just something about tequila. I’m not one to drink this spirit straight, but I find it irresistible in a mixed drink. 

Most often, I’m drawn to a simple, traditional margarita. On the rocks, please.

But if I see a cocktail menu with a smoky margarita or a spicy margarita, I am so getting that!! My Jalapeno Mezcal Margarita hits all those notes. You’ll never see Blake order a margarita, but this is one he likes quite alot. I’d say it’s a much more manly type of margarita, if you know what I mean. 

And, of course, there are fruity margaritas.

When I have especially wonderful berries on hand, from our own raspberry patch or from picking strawberries at a local patch, I like to muddle them into my margaritas. I also like to create flavored simple syrups with fresh berries, similar to how I make my Rhubarb Margarita. 

How to Make an Orange Margarita

For this margarita, I simply squeeze fresh Cara Cara orange juice and lime juice for a bright and sunny, just slightly puckery, cocktail. It’s the perfect margarita to celebrate the glory of citrus that’s at our fingertips this time of year!

What is a Cara Cara Orange?

Are you familiar with Cara Cara oranges?

I get so excited this time of year, when I see them arrive!

The Cara Cara is a medium-sized, seedless naval orange with pinkish-red flesh and a softly bright flavor.

While I still really like regular naval oranges and blood oranges, the Cara Cara has completely stolen my heart. I grab a big bag of them each week at the store when they’re in season!

Winter’s citrus season truly deserves a sunny orange margarita or two. Especially when they’re so easy to make!

All you need is freshly squeezed orange juice, a bit of fresh lime juice, tequila, Cointreau – and a touch of simple syrup if you’re wanting a little sweetness. I prefer to drink margaritas from a salt-rimmed glass, but that’s entirely up to you.

If you can’t find Cara Cara oranges, blood oranges would be a great substitute in this drink recipe. Naval oranges are beautiful, too!

When we have friends and family over for carnitas or margarita grilled shrimp, I like to stir together the margarita ingredients a few hours beforehand and let it chill altogether in the fridge. I prep the salt-rimmed glasses, set them aside. So when guests arrive, all I have to do is fill glasses with ice and divide out the pre-made margarita mixture. 

Here’s to this beautiful season of citrus. Enjoy!

Like this orange margarita? Save it to Pinterest!

A few more orange cocktails for you:

• Orange Crush from How Sweet Eats
• Orange Drop from Vanilla and Bean
• Blood Orange Amaretto Cocktails from Baked Bree