How many ways can I make a margarita? I’m only just warming up and we haven’t even hit spring here yet. Who said margaritas are just for sunny, lazy afternoons with friends or to accompany a pulled pork taco or whatever your favourite Mexican-inspired bite is?
Well, I certainly wouldn’t argue with either of those excuses to have one, and I wouldn’t stop there either. Margaritas go with just about anything in my opinion, but I love Mexican food, so it’s an excuse to scratch two itches at once.
Unfortunately, I did not have a plate of homemade beef brisket nachos, a taco or even guacamole and corn chips. Sigh. But I did have an abundance of citrus and a bottle of tequila begging to be christened.
I will always be loyal to the classic when my creativity fails or I just want the comfort of a cocktail that never lets me down (unless it’s made with cheap tequila or pre-mix). I’m not judgemental, really — only when it comes to margaritas!
This Three Citrus Margarita is much closer to my trusted Reposado Margarita and less adventurous than a Passionfruit or Roasted Strawberry Margarita. It has the sharp citrus that I love, levelled up with the addition of lemon, mandarin and a touch of orange marmalade.
There is also something uplifting about having a very relaxed, sunny-day-vibe drink in the middle of winter. It reminds you that the lack of sun and bitterly cold mornings are only temporary and summer is always around the corner.
And until it gets here, I’m quite happy to fake it with a salt-rimmed glass, good tequila and far too much citrus. This one is bright, sharp and unmistakably a margarita — just with enough of a twist to give me another excuse to make one.
Worth Making?
- Yes – if you enjoy a classic margarita but want something with a little more depth and complexity.
- Yes – because the marmalade doesn’t just add sweetness; it contributes citrus oils, gentle bitterness and a richer texture.
- Yes – if you’re looking for a margarita that feels equally suited to winter entertaining or a relaxed summer evening.
- Skip it – if you prefer your margaritas sharp, ultra-dry and stripped back to the classics.
- Skip it – if you’re using low-quality marmalade that’s mostly sugar rather than fruit.
Three Citrus Margarita
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 70 ml tequila
- 20 ml Cointreau (or quality triple sec)
- 15 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml fresh lemon juice
- 20 ml fresh mandarin juice (or fresh orange juice)
- 10 grams high quality orange marmalade
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
Instructions
- If using a salt rim, run a wedge of lime around half the rim of your glass and dip it into flaky sea salt mixed.
- Add the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, lemon juice, mandarin juice, marmalade, orange bitters (if using) and a small pinch of flaky salt to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the marmalade has fully dissolved and the cocktail is well chilled.
- Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink, rub it around the rim of the glass and drop it in. Garnish with a thin mandarin wheel.
Make it your own way
- Swap the mandarin juice for blood orange when it’s in season for a richer colour and flavour.
- Roast or char the mandarins before juicing them for a deeper, lightly caramelised winter version.
- Replace the reposado with blanco tequila for a brighter, fresher style.
- Add a thin slice of fresh chilli to the shaker for a gentle warmth.
- Make it alcohol-free by using a quality non-alcoholic tequila alternative and replacing the Cointreau with a non-alcoholic orange aperitif.
