Raspberry Orange Margarita Recipe — Fresh Summer Cocktail Guide

Pink, fruity, fresh and very smooth — this raspberry orange margarita is perfect for Cinco de Mayo, Valentine’s Day, summer cookouts, or any evening you want a bright, delicious cocktail.

Margaritas are one of our favorite warm-weather drinks. Every spring when we visit family in Florida, the first evening usually includes margaritas to celebrate warmth and vacation. Those memories inspired a pink, fruity margarita that’s a little sweet, definitely pink, and fun to sip for lots of occasions.

After testing a batch with my husband, I wrote the recipe down and refined it — here’s how to make this refreshing raspberry orange margarita at home.

What do you need?

• Raspberries and sugar — equal amounts by weight to make a bright raspberry syrup.
• Lime — one juicy lime makes enough for two drinks.
• Orange — one medium orange yields enough juice for two drinks; Cara Cara oranges are lovely if you have them.
• Tequila and orange liqueur — use your preferred orange liqueur and a 100% agave tequila (blanco recommended).

How to make this

Combine raspberry syrup with orange juice, lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur. Shake with ice and serve over the rocks in sugar-rimmed glasses.

1. Make the raspberry syrup by gently heating raspberries until they break down, then add an equal weight of sugar and cook until dissolved. Strain out the seeds.
2. Juice one lime and one medium orange.
3. In a shaker, combine syrup, citrus juices, tequila, and orange liqueur with ice. Shake well.
4. Rim two glasses with coarse sugar if desired, fill with ice, and divide the cocktail between them. Garnish with citrus slices or raspberries.

1. Make the syrup

This recipe uses a raspberry syrup instead of plain simple syrup. Use a 1:1 ratio by weight of raspberries to granulated sugar — no added water needed. Heat the raspberries until they release their juices, add the sugar, and gently simmer until the sugar dissolves. Strain the mixture to remove seeds, then chill or use immediately.

Frozen raspberries work well and are often more economical when berries are out of season. Freezing helps break down the fruit, making the syrup even easier to prepare.

2. Make the drink

Once the syrup is ready, the cocktail comes together quickly: juice the citrus, add the syrup, tequila, and orange liqueur to a shaker with ice, and shake until chilled. Pour over ice in sugar-rimmed glasses and garnish as you like.

Tip: Cara Cara oranges make a pretty garnish and have great flavor. Although their flesh is slightly reddish, the juice looks like standard orange juice.

Cocktail Shaker

A glass cocktail shaker with a metal top is handy — you can see the drink while shaking and don’t have to worry about parts sticking from the cold. Any sturdy shaker will work.

Best tequila?

Use a 100% agave tequila for best flavor. Blanco (unaged) tequilas are clean and pair well with the margarita’s citrus and raspberry notes. If you prefer a reposado or añejo, they’ll work too, though some of the tequila’s subtle aged flavors can be muted by the cocktail’s bright ingredients.

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If you try this Raspberry Orange Margarita, leave a comment with your experience and rating. I’m happy to answer any questions.

– Happy Drinking, Annemarie