Go Back
Short glass filled with the Best Orange Margarita, garnished with an orange wedge. Another margarita sits in the background.

Best Orange Margarita Recipe

This Best Orange Margarita packs a citrus punch with the orange, lime, and Cointreau, and the sweet, smoky, salty, and slightly spicy rim adds additional depth of flavor, balance, and uniqueness.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:5 minutes
Cook Time:5 minutes
Total Time:10 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American, California, Mexican
Keyword: Cocktail
Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water

Sweet & Smoky Rim

  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ⅛ tsp chipotle pepper powder
  • ½ tsp chili powder

The Drink

  • 2 oz fresh orange juice
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1.5 oz tequila about 1 shot glass
  • 1.5 oz Cointreau about 1 shot; triple sec would also work
  • ½ to 1 oz simple syrup depending on preference

Instructions

Simple Syrup

  • Combine ½ cup of sugar with ½ cup of water in a pot set over medium high heat. Cook the sugar and water, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 4 to 5 minutes.
    ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water
  • Remove the pot from the heat and allow the mixture to cool before adding it to the drink.
  • Note: This recipe makes about ¾ cup of simple syrup. You won’t need very much for this recipe, so be sure to save the leftovers for another cocktail or mocktail later. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 weeks. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays.

Sweet & Smoky Rim

  • Mix the sweet and smoky rim ingredients in a shallow bowl or plate. Run an orange wedge around the rim of a glass, and then press the glass into the sugary, smoky, salty, spicy mixture until the rim is coated. Set the glass aside.
    3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, ⅛ tsp chipotle pepper powder, ½ tsp chili powder
  • Alternatively, you could brush some orange juice onto part of the side of a glass, then roll that part into the rim mixture.

The Drink

  • Add the margarita ingredients and a handful of ice cubes to a cocktail shaker. Place the lid and cap on the shaker and shake a few times to combine.
    2 oz fresh orange juice, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 1.5 oz tequila, 1.5 oz Cointreau, ½ to 1 oz simple syrup
  • Add some crushed ice to the rimmed glass. Remove the cap from the shaker and strain out the liquid into the glass. Garnish with an orange and lime wedge, if desired.