This Pitcher-Perfect Sour Orange Margaritas recipe was created in partnership with Tequila Cazadores ®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When we moved into our new house back in December, the oversized orange tree in the backyard was on the top of the list of things I was excited about.
Blushing with juicy fruit, I imagined fresh-squeezed orange juice mornings for eternity. Come to find out, due to lack of heat or premature picking, those oranges are sour, providing juice that is more sucker punch than sunshine. But like a wise woman once said (that’d be me), if life gives you sour oranges—make margaritas!

Margaritas for a crowd
When Tequila Cazadores ® asked me to help them celebrate National Margarita Day I knew exactly what to do: march straight out to that orange tree and get to squeezing! Cazadores makes such spectacular tequilas and their Tequila Blanco is a perfect match for the tart citrus in these Pitcher-Perfect Sour Orange Margaritas.
In fact, the intense flavor of pure agave that shines through in the Blanco tequila means you really need nothing else, making these the easiest big-batch margarita ever!
Fresh-squeezed sour orange juice, Cazadores Tequila Blanco, and a little sugar is all you need to make an entire pitcher of margaritas, because honestly, who wants to celebrate National Margarita Day by themselves?

What if I don’t have sour oranges?
If you live in Southern California, or any other temperate climate, you may find yourself (like I do) with lots of sour oranges on your hands. If you don’t, you may be rolling your eyes. Either way, you can still make these delightfully tart margaritas.
Actual sour oranges, or Seville oranges, can be found in many Latin markets, but you can also make your own sour orange juice by combining fresh sweet orange juice with fresh lemon juice. Both options work beautifully in this margarita recipe.

To make your own sour orange juice, add 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice for every cup of sweet orange juice. So in this recipe, instead of the 2 1/4 cups of sour orange juice you would use: 1 3/4 cups sweet orange juice and 1/2 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
Tips for making Pitcher-Perfect Sour Orange Margaritas
Aside from using stellar Cazadores Tequila Blanco and fresh-squeezed citrus juice, there’s a couple more tips that will help you make the best-ever margaritas.
First of all, I like to combine the ingredients for this margarita in my blender. It is the best way to dissolve the sugar into the juice-tequila mixture. If you want to whisk everything in a pitcher, that will work too, but you’ll have to give it another stir right before serving to mix up any sugar that has floated to the bottom.

You can mix the margaritas up to a day in advance and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
After chilling, give the margaritas a taste. Depending on the sourness of your juice (or if you are using a mixture of orange and lemon) you may need to add more sugar or a squeeze of lime.
As for serving, salting the rim is a must. For these margaritas I used sal de gusano which, yes, is a mixture of salt and dried worms but don’t be turned off, it has an irresistible earthiness that absolutely makes these margaritas. If not sal de gusano, than a spicy cocktail salt would be great or kosher salt is a good substitute too.


Pitcher-Perfect Sour Orange Margaritas
Three ingredients is all you need to make these Pitcher-Perfect Sour Orange Margaritas. Making them the easiest, most refreshing margaritas fit for a crowd.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups fresh-squeezed sour orange juice ((about 4 pounds oranges))
- 1 cup Cazadores Blanco Tequila
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- lime slices, for garnish
- sal de gusano, for the rim ((optional))
Instructions
- Combine orange juice, tequila, and sugar in a blender. Blend on high until sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a pitcher and chill until ready to serve.
- Rub a lime slice around the rim of 6 cocktail glasses. Dip each glass in Sal de Gusano, your favorite cocktail salt, or kosher salt. Fill each glass with ice and pour margaritas over. Add a lime slice and serve.
Notes
- Sour Orange Juice Substitute: Add 1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice for every cup of sweet orange juice. So for this recipe you would use 1 3/4 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup lemon juice.
One last thing…
What do you think? I want to know! Leave me a comment and snap a photo for Instagram! Tag @holajalapeno so I can see your beautiful creation! Your feedback is super important to me.
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Beautiful pics Kate. There is nothing like the Southern California light! I also love the fact that these a pitcher margaritas, for a crowd!
Thank you Enri!! No one should drink margaritas alone, right?!
I wish I had an orange tree in my house! And an avocado tree, guava tree, lemon tree….. 🙂 These margaritas look and sound divine! Cazadores is also one of my favorite mixing tequilas. Well done!
Thank you Silvia! We are so blessed to live where all these things grow and agree with you, Cazadores makes incredible tequila!
Wow! These are amazing! Love this idea so much!
Thank you!! I so wish we could share a pitcher together. 🙂
Mine would have been much better in beautiful glasses! Can you tell us anything about we might find them? They look hand painted!
Hi Kathy! The glasses are from Artelexia. You can find them here: https://artelexia.com/products/painted-flower-glassware