Texas Margarita (Orange Margarita)

Texas Margaritas (or Orange Margaritas) are a refreshing and easy-to-make cocktail that's perfect for summer barbecues, brunches, and taco nights. They are made with tequila, orange and lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave nectar.

I love the vibrant flavors in this margarita—it's absolutely perfect for hot summer nights. What I love even more is how easy it is to adjust the sweetness. If you like a sweeter drink, add the agave nectar. If you prefer it to be more refreshing, leave it out for a crisp, refreshing drink!

If you like this Texas Margarita recipe, you need to try my other margarita recipes, Hibiscus Margarita and Blood Orange Margarita (the perfect winter version of this drink!).

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Tequila: For margaritas, use silver tequila (also called blanco tequila). Gold tequila clashes with the drink's citrusy and tart flavors due to its subtle hints of vanilla, caramel, or oak, so avoid using it. I used Espolon Tequila Blanco tequila for this citrusy cocktail. Use your favorite tequila for this recipe.
• Fresh Orange Juice - For the juiciest and sweetest results, choose ripe oranges. Navel oranges are a good choice, as they are typically seedless and juicy. You can also use store-bought orange juice, but freshly squeezed orange juice has a brighter and more intense flavor.
• Fresh Lime Juice - Each Lime has about 1 oz of juice, so you'll need six limes to make four margaritas using this recipe. But it wouldn't hurt to have a few more on hand for garnish or if your limes are a little smaller.
• Orange Liqueur - I used Paisley & Sage Triple Sec. Triple sec is a style of orange liqueur and is equivalent to orange liqueur.
• Agave Nectar - Agave nectar is pretty easy to find in your local grocery store or natural food store. You can swap it out for simple syrup. Since agave is slightly sweeter, you will need about 25% more simple syrup. This drink is a little on the sweeter side. If you don't want a sweet drink, omit the agave nectar from the recipe.
• Garnishes - For your drink's rim, you can choose between salt or sugar. For a spicy twist, try sprinkling some Tajín chili lime seasoning. Garnish with an orange slice or lime wedge.

Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below

How to Make Texas Margaritas

Step 1: (Optional) Rub the rim of your glasses with a lime or orange and dip it in salt or sugar.

Step 2: Add the orange juice, lime juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and agave In a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

Step 3: Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds or until drink is well chilled and frothy.

Step 4: Strain the margarita into the prepared glasses.

Step 5: Garnish with an orange slice or lime wedge.

Common Questions

Variations

• Add a Little Heat- To add a little heat to your drink, add a slice of jalapeño to your cocktail shaker when mixing the margarita. 
• Make a Pitcher - To make a big batch of these, multiply the recipe by four (or more, depending on your needs) and mix it in a large pitcher. This should give you eight margaritas. 
• Less Sweet- Reduce the amount of agave nectar or skip it altogether. IF you made the drink and it's too sweet, balance the flavors by adding extra lime juice for a tart kick.

What To Pair These With 

Party - For your next party, serve these Texas Margaritas alongside a taco bar. Offer a variety of fillings like grilled chicken, shrimp, and roasted veggies.

Date Night- Plan a cozy Tex-Mex dinner at home. Pair your margaritas with chili lime salmon with mango salsa or creamy poblano corn chowder for a romantic night.

Game Night - Serve with tortilla chips and salsa, slow cooker beef queso, or guacamole to keep the good times going!