Margherita

Margherita

This blood orange margarita is our house "Margherita," a spicy, citrus-forward twist on the classic. Ruby-red blood orange juice and fresh lime meet sweet-hot Calabrian chili honey and a whisper of fennel liqueur, all built on smooth, oak-aged SWOL Anejo Tequila. A cayenne-and-salt rim gives every sip a little bite. It is bright, balanced, and just spicy enough to keep you coming back. Here is exactly how to make one at home.

INGREDIENTS
  • 2 oz SWOL Anejo Tequila (our aged, oaky hero; reposado is the traditional swap)
  • 1 tbsp fresh blood orange juice (roughly half a blood orange; fresh gives the deepest color)
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 3/4 oz fennel liqueur (Don Ciccio & Figli Finocchietto, or any fennel liqueur)
  • 1/4 oz Calabrian chili honey syrup (recipe below; cool fully before mixing)
  • Rim: 1/2 tsp each kosher salt, granulated sugar, cayenne, and citric acid
  • Calabrian chili honey syrup: steep 4-5 dried Calabrian chilies in 1/2 cup boiling water, stir in 1 cup honey, cool
HOW TO PREPARE
  1. Make the chili honey syrup first and let it cool completely.
  2. Mix the rim ingredients on a small plate; run a lime wedge around the glass rim and dip.
  3. Add SWOL Anejo, blood orange juice, lime juice, fennel liqueur, and chili honey syrup to a shaker with ice.
  4. Shake hard for 12-15 seconds until well chilled.
  5. Strain over fresh ice into the rimmed glass and garnish with a blood orange wheel.
Style of Glass to use
  • Margarita Glass
Garnishes
  • Mint

How to rim the glass with cayenne salt?

Combine salt, sugar, cayenne, and citric acid so you get salty, sweet, spicy, and tart in one bite. Rim just before serving so the crust stays crisp and vivid. For less heat, cut the cayenne by half or rim only half the glass.

Best tequila for a blood orange margarita

An anejo like SWOL Anejo adds vanilla and oak that flatter the blood orange and honey. Reposado keeps it lighter and more classic. Avoid harsh, un-aged blanco here; the spice and citrus want a smoother, rounder base.

On the rocks vs frozen

Served on the rocks, this margarita stays bright and spice-forward. To go frozen, blend the same measures with 1 cup ice; add a splash more blood orange juice since freezing mutes flavor. Skip the fennel liqueur if you want a cleaner frozen version.

Make it a batch (pitcher for a crowd)

Multiply everything by your guest count, stir in a pitcher without ice, and refrigerate. Add ice only when serving so it does not dilute. Rim glasses to order and float a blood orange wheel in each.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a blood orange margarita?

A margarita that swaps or adds blood orange juice for a sweeter, deeper-citrus flavor and a ruby color, built on tequila, lime, and orange or agave sweetener.

Can I use bottled blood orange juice?

Yes, but fresh-squeezed gives the best color and brightest flavor. If using bottled, taste and add a little extra lime to balance the sweetness.

What if blood oranges are out of season?

Use a mix of fresh orange juice with a splash of ruby grapefruit or a few raspberries muddled in for color, plus the usual lime.

How spicy is it?

Moderate. The Calabrian chili honey and cayenne rim add warmth, not fire. Halve the cayenne or use plain honey for a milder drink.

What tequila is best?

SWOL Anejo for oaky depth, or a reposado for a lighter, classic profile.

Can I make it ahead for a party?

Yes. Batch the mix without ice, refrigerate, and rim and pour to order.

Can I make it non-alcoholic?

Yes. Skip the tequila and fennel liqueur, keep the blood orange, lime, and chili honey, and top with soda water for a spicy blood orange mocktail.

Margherita TIPS

The Calabrian chili honey brings sweet heat — don’t skip cooling it before mixing. Rim your glass just before serving for max color and sparkle.

MADE WITH

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release (750Ml)

750 ML

$124.99

SWOL Anejo Tequila Limited Release is an extremely limited edition; a special release of just 10,000 bottles. Each hand-numbered bottle has a peel-off iron patch which is designed by Los Angeles-based artist Rise Work.

Combining ancient and modern techniques and a deep love and passion for Authentic Tequila, SWOL Tequila comes from Mexico. When two friends journeyed to Mexico...

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