This easy blood orange mocktail is packed with bright, spicy flavor that will leave your tastebuds singing! A dash of sweetness balances the tangy, slightly-bitter citrus flavors while a hint of lime and fresh basil brings it all together.
Why I Love This Recipe
Want to celebrate Margarita Monday during Dry January? Or just looking for something fun to sip without the side effects of drinking? This bright and spicy blood orange mocktail is perfect for any occasion!
I think it’s really fun to see the way bars are incorporating more mocktail beverages into their menus these days. It’s so nice to have exciting drink options available that don’t include alcohol. Plus, I get tons of inspiration for mocktails to make at home!
If you enjoy sipping something special while cooking dinner or watching the game on a weekend, you’ll love this NA Margarita. It’s packed with flavor so you don’t really miss anything without the spirit, and it only takes about 15 minutes to go from prep to pour. If you’re entertaining, you can also prep the base of this recipe ahead of time so all that’s left to do is add the final ingredients to the shaker, shake it up, and serve!
What’s In A Blood Orange Mocktail?
The key flavor in this spicy NA margarita is the bright and tangy blood orange. If you’ve never tried one before, imagine a cross between an orange and a grapefruit with hints of tart cherry. And if you think the flavor sounds amazing, just wait until you see how beautiful they are!
The heat comes from the sliced fresno pepper, which has the same level of spice as a mild serrano pepper. Fresh lime juice enhances the citrus while agave or maple syrup bring some sweetness for the perfect balance. Crushed basil leaves introduce just a touch of earthy, peppery flavor that makes each glass delightfully complex!
I personally love to include aquafaba in my NA margarita. This is the juice or liquid you get from a can of chickpeas, and it’s a fantastic way to add some frothiness! It has the same effect as adding egg whites to a cocktail and is basically tasteless. This ingredient is optional, but I highly recommend giving it a try.
Variations for Your Blood Orange Mocktail
Not a big fan of spice? Feel free to reduce or omit the fresno pepper in this recipe. If you’re whipping up this mocktail for guests, you could also give everyone the option to add fresno pepper slices to their glass so they can control the level of heat.
Looking for something a little lighter and effervescent? Add some sparkling water on top of your mocktail! This will also help tone down the flavors if you find it too sweet or too spicy. Alternatively, if you love big flavor, substitute the water for orange juice or more blood orange juice.
Finally, if you prefer a blood orange cocktail, you’re welcome to include spirits in this drink. For anyone choosing to partake, add their spirit of choice to the shaker so it will meld with the rest of the ingredients.
What to Serve with Blood Orange Mocktails
- Game Day Plantain Nachos — Momma’s collagen-cumin black bean mash takes this tasty appetizer tray to the next level.
- Grilled Mango Salsa — Grilling the produce gives this “clean out the fridge” salsa recipe a complex, smoky flavor.
- Pulled Chicken Crunch Wrap Supreme Style Burritos — I truly can’t think of a more perfect pairing to go with your spicy mocktail!
- Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta — Double down on spice with this six-ingredient, one-pot pasta recipe that has just enough cheese to cool you down.
Can You Make Blood Orange Mocktails Ahead of Time?
If you’re hosting friends and want to get some prep work out of the way, you could always start with the blender step. Add the water, Fresno pepper slices, and peeled blood orange, blend until smooth, then strain into a pitcher. This will cut down on the work once your guests arrive!
Just keep in mind that citrus can lose its flavor quickly once sliced or blended, so I wouldn’t prepare it more than a few hours in advance. Store the mix covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to shake and serve.
More Entertaining and Game Day Recipes
- Buffalo Cauliflower Pizza
- Crispy Buffalo Tofu Bites
- Florida Girl Mocktail
- Grilled Pizza Chicken Wings
Blood Orange Mocktail
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 10
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
This easy blood orange mocktail is packed with bright, spicy flavor that will leave your tastebuds singing! A dash of sweetness balances the tangy, slightly-bitter citrus flavors while a hint of lime and fresh basil brings it all together.
Ingredients
1.5 blood orange, peeled
1 cup water
½ Fresno pepper, sliced
1 tbsp Aquafaba (optional, but adds fun froth)
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp agave or maple syrup
2-3 large basil leaves, crushed in hands
½ cup ice
Instructions
- In a blender, add the water, Fresno slices, and peeled blood orange. Blend until smooth. Strain if desired.
- To a cocktail shaker, add the agave or maple syrup, aquafaba, lime juice, crushed basil, ice, and spicy blood orange mix.
- Shake well.
- Strain and pour into your favorite glass! Cheers!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 30
- Fat: 0.3
- Carbohydrates: 7.2
- Protein: 0.4