I am a huge fan of seasonal ingredients. There is something about buying produce at its peak that just makes me feel good about myself. Over the weekend I was at the farmers market in Grant Park and almost every damn stall had either fresh citrus or peppers. Often times when I head to farmers market, I see things and sit like a creeper in front of stalls wondering how I would cook it.

When I saw blood oranges and jalapeños I really had the best intentions of doing a play on a fresh salsa or citrus salad. I was so excited to start experimenting when I got home but the blood oranges never made it into any of these crazy dishes I had planned. A big ass bottle of mezcal got in my way.

For those of you who don't know, mezcal is best described as tequila's version of a really peatty whiskey. Like tequila, mezcal is harvested from agave plants but the two spirits could not be more different. Because of the distilling process, mezcal can be a little on the pricey side but if you can find it, you need to RUN and buy a bottle (or two) for your home bar.

In this recipe, in addition to the beautiful color, the blood oranges add a really delicate citrus flavor that plays oh-so-nicely with the natural smokiness of the mezcal while the jalapeño really helps to kick up the underlying spice notes...do I sound a little bougie here?

Listen, all you need to know is this cocktail requires all of 5 ingredients, looks cool, and tastes better. If you can't find a bottle of mezcal you can totally substitute in some regular ole' tequila and you'll be just fine.

Do you have any favorite margarita recipes? Let me know and I would love to try them out!

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Blood Orange Jalapeño Margarita

Yield: 2

Author: Ryan Shepard

Ingredients

• 4 ounces mezcal
• 2 whole blood oranges, juiced
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 jalapeno, sliced
• 1 ounce agave nectar (or simple syrup)

Instructions

1. Squeeze juice from blood oranges and limes. Set aside.
2. Place a few slices of jalapeno in a cocktail shaker and muddle, be careful not to add too many slices or the drink will be too spicy.
3. Add juice to the cocktail shaker as well as the agave or simple syrup.
4. Add ice and shake until the drink is well chilled. Pour cocktail into two margarita glasses.
5. Garnish with thin slices of blood orange and jalapeno.

Did you make this recipe?

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