Summer Cocktail Series: Blood Orange Blackberry Margarita

I’m going to be bold here and come out and say it: I think the margarita is the perfect cocktail. I love margaritas; they’re playful and don’t have to be sweet- instead their fresh citrus flavors speak for themselves, plus when it comes to alcohols we all know that tequila is a party in a bottle. So, when it comes to the drink recipe I reach for when I want to make a big batch of cocktails for a party it’s that one.

However, they do have a downfall. It drives me absolutely bonkers to have to hand squeeze what feels like nine million pounds of citrus. The result is worth it, but good lord is it time consuming, especially when you’re a procrastinator like me and are doing everything last minute, prepping for your summer shindig. In walks Sangre Azul. (Before you ask, nope, not sponsored! I just love everything about them!) Now I first met Sonja and Ruben, the two friends that started the premium cocktail juice company, because our booths were kitty corner across from each other at a Firefly Market up in Boulder Colorado. I’m fairly certain it was about a bazzilion degrees outside and the Sangre pair kept handing me ice cold margaritas- needless to say, I had a pretty prime booth spot. Now they didn’t know anything about me being a blogger- I was there for my bath and body care line, The Spiral Collective– so they were just being nice. I fell in love with both them and their juice. I took a bottle home of the juice that day and drank half of it on the car ride home (note: it doesn’t have alcohol- just straight fruit juice!) and ever since I snag a bottle whenever I can.

So, when I was dreaming up a citrus-forward margarita for this cocktail series and landed on blood orange, blackberry, and sage I immediately knew that I was forgoing the dreaded citrus squeeze and reaching for Sangre Azul ‘freshly squozen’ juice instead. It has no added sugar, colors, preservatives, or water- it is just the perfect blend of blood orange, lime, and lemon juice. Simple and pure. (They also have Pomelo Rubí Grapefruit and Cítrico Fantástico flavors, but I love the blood orange with this one!) And without further ado- recipe time!

Blood Orange Blackberry Margarita

Ingredients: (Makes Two)

4 Ounces Blanco Tequila
2 Ounces Cointreau (Orange Liqueur)
8 Oz Blood Orange Juice
1/4 Cup Blackberries + Some for Garnish
4 Leaves Fresh Sage + Some for Garnish
Ice

Blood Orange Blackberry Margarita Instructions

1 In a cocktail shaker combine tequila, Cointreau, sage leaves, and blackberries. Muddle the berries and sage, add ice, then shake vigorously.

2 Using the cocktail shaker’s strainer, strain the now beautifully rosy liquid into two margarita glasses filled with ice in equal parts. Top each glass with four ounces of your citrus juice and stir to combine.

3 Garnish with blackberries and sage leaves then enjoy! It is as simple as that!

Now that you’re sipping on the perfect margarita, story time! I’d love to know how you were introduced to one of your favorite companies? Did you have a kismet story like mine? Let me know down below! And while you’re clicking away give some love to my friends at Sangre Azul on Instagram!