Whether you’re throwing a cinco de mayo party or looking for a refreshing summer cocktail, you’re going to love grill orange margaritas.
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Table of Contents
What are margaritas made of?
A margarita is a popular cocktail made with tequila, lime juice and orange liqueur.
the quality of the cocktail can vary greatly, depending on the brand of the tequila and the quality of the mix ins.
Oftentimes, restaurants will use margarita mix, which is made with lime juice and sweeteners like simple syrup.
Personally, I find margarita mix way too sweet. Cocktails made with too much sugar give me a headache, which is why I like to make my own.
How to make a sugar-free margarita
The secret to a sugar-free margarita is to use fresh citrus juice instead of bottled juice or margarita mix.
To amplify the natural sweetness and the orange liqueur, I use freshly squeezed orange juice. And to make it even better, I grill the oranges. The caramelization brings out their natural sugars even more.
How to measure cocktails
Most of the time, mixologists use jiggers, which help you measure alcohol and mix ins by the ounce.
Once side is usually one ounce and the other is usually 1 1/2 ounces.
I know not everyone has a jigger, so I’ve developed this recipe including cup and tablespoon measurements, as well.
Ingredients
- BBQ Rub: Use your favorite BBQ rub, Tajin or salt for the rim of your glass. I like using Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub.
- Oranges: For this recipe, I prefer to use the little seedless mandarins like Cuties or Halos. They come in a bag in the produce section.
- Limes: When selecting fresh limes, squeeze them at the grocery store. Softer ones will produce more juice.
- Tequila: You can use any brand, but I do recommend selecting a reposado tequila. This is a blanco or white tequila that’s aged in oak barrels. My favorite brand is Herradura.
- Orange Liqueur: I like Cointreau or Grand Marnier. You can also use Triple Sec.
Substitutions: If you like a sweeter margarita, you can add a tablespoon of agave nectar. For a more bold margarita, use blood oranges
See the full recipe card below for servings and a full list of ingredients.
How to mix a grilled orange margarita
You can cook the oranges on a grill, griddle or skillet. Heat the grill to high heat.
- STEP ONE: Slice the oranges and limes in half and place them on the grill or griddle. Cook for a few minutes, until they start to char.
- STEP TWO: Rub a lime around the rim of a margarita glass. Place some BBQ rub in a shallow bowl or on a small plate. Dip the rim of the glass in the rub. The rub should stick to the rim.
- STEP THREE: To the glass, add tequila, cointreau and juice from the grilled oranges and limes. Stir.
- STEP FOUR: Add ice and garnish with a sliced grilled orange.
PRO TIP: I love nugget ice. I have the GE Profile Opal ice maker and a pellet ice maker I picked up on Amazon.
Pitcher margaritas
This recipe makes about 3/4 cup of liquid. To make a 2-quart large pitcher of margaritas, multiple the recipe by 10.
GCG Pro Pitmaster Tips
- For added sweetness without adding sugar, char your citrus
- You can char the citrus 1-2 days ahead of time
- Softer limes yield more juice
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use orange juice in addition to triple sec. But for a proper margarita, you should use the orange liqueur. When adding orange juice. Don’t go for bottled orange juice. Use freshly squeezed orange juice. The flavor is even better if you grill the oranges.
Cointreau and Grand Marnier are great high-end orange liqueurs. If you want to save a little money, you can use DeKuyper Triple Sec. When throwing a party, I use the good stuff for the first few rounds. Then, I switch to the cheaper stuff.
More cocktail recipes
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Grilled Orange Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp BBQ rub
- 1/4 cup tequila reposado, 2 ozs
- 2 tbsp Cointreau, 1 oz
- 2 mandarin oranges
- 2 limes
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Place your favorite BBQ rub, tajin or rock salt in a shallow bowl. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass. Dip the glass in the rub. It should stick around the rim.
- Grill: Heat your grill or griddle to high. Slice the oranges and lemons in half. Place cut side down on the grill and cook until caramelized.
- Mix: In your prepped glass, mix 1/4 cup (2 ozs) tequila, 2 tbsp (1 oz) Cointreau, 3 tbsp (1 1/2 ozs) freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tbsp (1 oz) freshly squeezed lime juice. Mix well.
- Finish: Add ice to the glass and garnish with a grill orange or lime slice.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
