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Saturday, May 5, 2012

Blood Orange Margarita

Not that you need an excuse to chill with a tasty cocktail, but since today is Cinco de Mayo, we'll go ahead and name that as the reason for enjoying one before noon.  I think I've mentioned before that the Cinco de Mayo celebrations in our family mostly revolve around birthdays!  My youngest son was born today.  My mom was born today.  One of my nephews was born today.  Celebrate!

I know, I know.  You're probably saying "but your husband is from Mexico..." (you're totally saying that, right?).  True.  But he is not from Puebla, and Cinco de Mayo is more of a regional celebration celebrating the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

That said, we do live in America and here we like to throw fiestas and consume many plates of Mexican food and many glasses and bottles of Mexican cocktails and beer on this day.  Our town even has an annual event with traditional dance and music to accompany the food.  It is really a celebration of Mexican heritage.
So, for whatever reason you choose to celebrate today...you might as well do it with style.  And carrying out a pitcher of these jewel-hued margaritas would definitely qualify.  Salud!

Blood Orange Margaritas

by Heather Schmitt-González
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: n/a
Keywords: beverage blood orange alcohol Cinco de Mayo Day of the Dead Christmas Mexican

Ingredients (6-9 cocktails)
    margarita
    • ⅔ c. fresh lime juice
    • ¼ c. superfine sugar
    • ¾ c. water
    • 1 c. silver tequila
    • ½ c. Cointreau or Triple Sec
    • 2 c. freshly squeezed blood orange juice (or store-bought, if you like)
    to finish
    • lime half
    • coarse salt and/or superfine or coarse sugar
    • ice cubes
    Instructions
    In a large pitcher, stir together the lime juice, sugar, and water until sugar has dissolved. Mix in tequila, cointreau (or triple sec), and blood orange juice. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, ~1 hour.

    Moisten the rims of your glasses with the cut side of a lime. Spread coarse salt and/or one of the sugars (on separate plates) and upend the glasses to crust the rims.

    Next, you can finish up one of two ways. Either fill a cocktail shake ~¾ full of ice and add ~1½ c. of mixture to it. Shake and pour into glasses. Or you can simply shake the mixture around in the pitcher and bit and pour it over ice in your glasses to drink it on the rocks. Really this depends on the type/size of glasses you're using. Either way...ENJOY!

    notes:
    Obviously freshly squeezed blood orange juice is going to taste the best and give you the best, deepest color for your cocktail. Unfortunately, blood oranges aren't always readily available everywhere. The ones I found this time were on the tail-end-out and didn't contain much juice. So I bought a jug of blood orange juice to use in their stead. I really wanted some. It still tastes pretty fantastic, but the color isn't as brilliant.

    adapted from Fiesta at Rick's
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    I am sharing this post with:
    IHCC theme: Cinco de Mayo
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    Would you like to comment?

    1. Lyndsey@TheTinySkilletMay 5, 2012 at 10:57 AM

      I was wondering where you got your blood oranges...at first I was thinking I live in Florida and can't find fresh blood oranges anymore. So it's good to know, but of course you can use store bought :)

      We have many Mexicans that live in our area and al say the same thing about celebrating Cinco de Mayo in Mexico. I agree with you, here in America it's more of celebrating Mexican heritage...and any excuse to drink tequila!

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    2. This is my kind of drink, Heather---happy celebrating!

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    3. themadscientistskitchenMay 5, 2012 at 11:14 AM

      Enjoy yourself.Happy Birthday to your son.

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    4. Now this is a a delicious way to get my fruit! Happy Cinco de Mayo and Happy Birthday to your son. Celebrations are the best!

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    5. A margarita is definitely in my immediate future. Wait... did you say it's okay to have one *before* lunch? I'm in! Happy Cinco de Mayo!

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    6. I would love one too! Looks refreshing with blood orange!

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    7. What a beautiful drink; i can almost taste it. Happy Cinco de Mayo!
      Rita

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    8. You promised margaritas. And boy did you deliver. The color is super even with the jug o juice. Looks fantastic to me!

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    9. Lovely coloring. And I didn't know that about the Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Cool!

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    10. I'm always up for celebrating with margaritas!! I really hope I can still find blood oranges around here because these look like citrus tequila heaven.

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    11. That is one gorgeous margarita! Feliz Cinco de Mayo! And Happy Birthday to your mom and little boy. :) Cheers!

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    12. Wish I'd seen these earlier- they'd have been perfect with fish tacos tonight! I love blood oranges, just wish they were easier to find around here. :)

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    13. I'm in Heather. I think it is a good excuse to celebrate and have a fiesta!

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    14. beautiful colour and nice clicks :D

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    15. Those are gorgeously hued margaritas. I love the sunny appearance!

      P.S. I snagged one of these pics for tonights IHCC post.

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    16. Such a pretty color. I love anything blood orange and I am sure it is just fabulous in a margarita. A great way to celebrate! ;-)

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    17. I wanted to make blood orange margaritas SO BAD but I cannot find blood oranges anywhere :( I haven't had one in yeeeears and I can't even remember how they taste.

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    18. These look so refreshing! I love the beautiful color that blood oranges are. Your photos are beautiful!

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    19. Oh, YUM! My fiance and I have been hunting for signature cocktails for our wedding in June. I've been stuck on mine, but this sounds like a beautiful, refreshing drink, perfect for our outdoor party. Thanks for the inspiration, Heather!

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    20. What's a party without a great cocktail?!? They look deliciously festive and I love your serving style. Perfect!

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    21. This sounds like an amazing addition to margaritas!

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    22. I love blood orange juice in margaritas! YUM!!! Hope your Cinco de Mayo was wonderful and birthday party celebrations were a hit!

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    23. Bookmarked! I can't wait to try this!

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    24. Mireya @myhealthyeatinghabitsMay 8, 2012 at 1:15 PM

      Sounds like the perfect party drink.

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    25. What a wonderful margarita! I just love blood oranges, they are an absolute favourite!

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    26. I wanted to make blood orange margaritas SO BAD but I cannot find blood oranges anywhere :( I haven't had one in yeeeears and I can't even remember how they taste.

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