Add Orange Juice To Your Margaritas For An Instant Flavor Boost

Is there any cocktail more refreshing than a margarita? This classic drink has mysterious origins, but has most likely been around in some form since the 1930s. The margarita is beloved for its simplicity as well as its customizability. You can make a margarita with only three ingredients, or you can get fancier with endless variations, like a spicy margarita on the rocks. Since the building blocks of a margarita are lime juice, tequila, and orange liqueur, one easy addition to boost flavor is orange juice. 

Adding orange juice heightens the flavor of the orange liqueur. Sometimes called a Texas margarita, it's a subtle and tasty way to customize the drink (especially if you're a fan of orange). Just add 1 ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice (if you have to, you can also use some of the best store-bought orange juice) at the same time you add the orange liqueur, then shake and serve as usual.

You can also use orange juice for a margarita hack if you don't have orange liqueur in the house. Skip the orange liqueur and use orange juice and simple syrup instead. Here's how to do it: Use equal parts tequila and fresh lime juice, then add simple syrup (or another sweetener like agave syrup) and fresh orange juice to taste.

Remember that fresh is best: Freshly squeezed lime juice and orange juice will provide brighter, more vibrant flavors than store-bought juices. Additionally, don't fall into the trap of overpouring your spirits, a common mistake many people make when mixing cocktails. To avoid this, make sure you're measuring the tequila using a jigger, not just eyeballing it. Ratios are important when it comes to making cocktails, and a spirit like tequila can easily overpower the other elements in the drink if you don't measure properly.