We’re in that weird end-of-winter moment where the days are getting longer, the snow drops and spring flowers are tentatively pushing their way out of the soil, and on days when the sun shines, you can sense that spring is on its way.
Time to break out the margaritas! Conveniently, blood oranges are ripe for the taking and readily available at the market, no matter where you live. Their slightly bitter juice offers a delightful contrast to the sweet and floral notes of the hibiscus simple syrup and the tang of tequila.
Mix up a pitcher (or two), get some chips, salsa and guacamole, and cheers to the warm months to come.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Citrus juicer
- Medium pitcher
- Cocktail shaker (optional)
- Margarita glasses or coupes
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free Tequila
- 1 cup fresh-squeezed blood orange juice (about 6-8 oranges worth)
- ¾ cup hibiscus simple syrup (see how-to below)
- ½ cup gluten-free Cointreau or Triple Sec
Hibiscus Simple Syrup
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 hibiscus tea bags, such as Tazo Passion
Instructions
To make your own hibiscus syrup:
- Add 2 cups sugar and 2 cups filtered water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring from time to time as it heats up.
- Once the mixture boils, remove the saucepan from the heat and turn off the burner.
- Place four tea bags into hot syrup in saucepan, making sure they are submerged, and allow to steep for 10 minutes.
- Remove tea bags, stir, and allow syrup to cool for about 45 minutes before using in margarita.
- Store syrup in airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- *You will likely have leftover syrup, which you can use in another batch of margaritas, or to add to other drinks such as sparkling water.
Make the margaritas:
- Place tequila, blood orange juice, hibiscus simple syrup and Cointreau into a glass pitcher and stir to combine.
- You can serve the margaritas over ice straight from the pitcher, or shake with ice in a cocktail shaker for about one minute before straining into margarita glasses or coupes.
