It’s been a painful few weeks, but I’ve finally come to accept that my 49ers aren’t in the Superbowl (it sure took me long enough). Now that I’m not listening to sports radio or football podcasts, I found time to make this ridiculously delicious pitcher of blood orange margaritas. Whenever blood oranges are in season this is my go-to libation. I usually mix up a batch to bring with me to parties. They were a favorite on my old beverage catering menu, and I even made them at my wedding! I highly recommend making these for your Superbowl party. Trust me, you will not be disappointed . . . unless you’re a Niners fan. There’s always next year.

Ingredients:

• 750 ml bottle of reposado tequila
• 1 cup orange liqueur
• 1 1/2 cups lime juice
• 1 cup simple syrup (combine equal parts sugar and water)
• 3 cups blood orange juice
• 2 cups sparkling water
• limes wedges and blood orange salt for garnish

Blood Orange Salt:

• blood orange juice
• extra coarse salt

To make the blood orange salt: (recipe adapted from Top with Cinnamon)

Squeeze some blood orange juice onto parchment paper.

Sprinkle salt on top of the blood orange juice and combine using a pastry brush.

Set aside and let dry.

To make the cocktail:

In a large pitcher, add the bottle of tequila and the orange liqueur. Depending on the size of your pitcher, you may have to mix all the ingredients in a larger container, like a mixing bowl, and separate into two pitchers.

Next, add the lime juice . . .

. . . and the blood orange juice.

Add the simple syrup and sparkling water.

Stir well to combine and place in the refrigerator to chill.

Pour the chilled cocktail over ice into a blood-orange-salt-rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wedge. No shaking needed! Just remember to have plenty of ice on-hand. Oh, and straws. I always forget the straws.

A couple things to note: as always, the sweetness of your cocktail will vary depending on the type of orange liqueur you use, how ripe your citrus is, etc. The cool thing about making a big batch of cocktails is that you can precisely adjust to fit your taste. Prefer it a bit sweeter? Add some more simple syrup. More blood orange yumminess? Go right ahead! More tequila? You get the idea.

Remember to stir your pitcher occasionally. These fresh ingredients will naturally separate after a few minutes.

I hope someone invites me to their Superbowl party, or I’m in for a long Sunday. Enjoy the game!

(images by HonestlyYUM)

From:http://honestlyyum.com/