Blood Orange Margarita

Happy Holidays! I’m savoring a quiet week at home, trying to tune out some of the noise about that which shall not be named. I always enjoy having my kids home on breaks. I love long mornings that roll into the afternoons. Pajamas and movies. Video games and unchecked screen time. We’re giving up on some of the socializing but enjoying some of the lazy that comes with that. And, I was able to make myself a happy hour cocktail this evening! Happy winter solstice, indeed!

I came across a recipe for a blood orange margarita last month and served it at a party. It’s a very easy drink to batch, as you can have a pitcher ready to go and then shake the drinks individually. It has the usual margarita components like tequila, lime, and Cointreau but adds in some complexity with blood orange juice, Campari, and a bit of simple syrup. It’s pretty tasty! My grandma said, “this doesn’t taste like a margarita- it tastes like a cocktail!” I mean, a margarita is a cocktail but I understand what she’s saying. It’s different than other margaritas. Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous and would make a great holiday beverage. Cheers!

Blood Orange Margarita, adapted from a recipe found at liquor.com 2/3/14

Makes 4 cocktails

Ingredients:

6 oz silver tequila

3 oz Cointreau

1 oz Campari

3 oz blood orange juice

3 oz lime juice

1 oz simple syrup

slices of blood orange, as garnish

salt for glass rim, optional

Method:

Prepare glasses with salted rim, if desired, fill with ice and set aside.

In a pitcher, combine tequila, Cointreau, blood orange juice, lime juice, Campari, and simple syrup and stir. Pour mixture into an ice filled shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain into prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with slice of blood orange. Repeat for as many cocktails as you are making. Enjoy!