Blood Orange Hibiscus Margarita

The unique flavor combination of tequila, Cointreau, hibiscus syrup, sour mix, and muddled fruit makes for a silky, smooth margarita that is clearly, the perfect way to end your day. I really don't think that I need to write much more to persuade you that you need this beautiful Blood Orange Hibiscus Margarita right now, but let me tell you more.

This smooth and tart red margarita is great for relaxing at the end of the day, or, it can also the perfect addition to your holiday table. The flavor combination of the sweet hibiscus and orange liqueur, tangy lime and blood orange makes for a delicious and satisfying cocktail that you can share with your guests.

Ingredients

The choice of alcohol ingredients to create a margarita is a personal choice and often debated. There are many brands of tequila, sweet and sour and triple sec, so if you have favorites, go on, you do you and go with those. To make this beautiful Blood Orange Hibiscus Margarita, I used:

• Hornitos Reposado Tequila
• Cointreau Orange Liqueur
• Lime Sour Mix Finest Call
• Hibiscus Syrup
• Fresh lime
• Blood Orange
• Dried hibiscus flowers
• Salt

Instructions

This is a simple process, but it is important that you have the proper equipment to do it right. You need a shot glass for measuring, a muddle tool, a mixing tin and a Hawthorne strainer. See discussion below.

Slice the lime into quarters, and peel the blood orange and slice.

Pour margarita salt into a wide bowl or plate, and gently dip the glass into the salt so that the rim is evenly coated.

Squeeze lime juice into the glass, add the lime, hibiscus flower, and slice of blood orange to glass without knocking the salt off the glass rim. With muddle tool, mash the fruit.

Add ice, alcohol, hibiscus syrup and sweet and sour to shaker and shake well.

Strain/pour the mix into the glass.

Let's Talk About Muddling

With a weird name, muddling is a process the bartender uses where fruits or herbs are smashed to release their flavors and juices. It helps create unique flavors in alcoholic drinks, in case the alcohol was not interesting enough.

Muddling is an art, not a science, and if you want to become an expert, you can learn more about muddling here. For this drink, the lime and blood orange flavors really enhance the finished cocktail.

Substitutions

There are so many brands of alcohol, so you may substitute your own favorite tequila, orange liqueur, sweet and sour and hibiscus syrup.

Variations

Well, if you want to get fancy to impress your guests, this beautiful drink can be even prettier for the holidays by making your own custom ice cubes. Red ice is stunning.

Equipment

If you are getting serious about making cocktails, it is essential that you have the right equipment. For a margarita, you need a few things, so here are some suggestions to start your bar setup.

Shot glass for measuring
Muddle tool
Mixing tin
Hawthorne strainer

Or you can buy a whole bar set (link below) (which also makes a great gift idea).

Top tip

If you are serving a crowd, mix in a large pitcher, and salt each glass individually