Tangerine Thyme Margarita Cocktail Recipe

I’m a sucker for a classic margarita, but sometimes I crave something a little brighter. That’s when I go for a tangerine margarita with a bit of fresh thyme. This tangerita brings together sweet citrus and herbal notes, making it feel both simple and just a little special.

No fancy gadgets or rare ingredients here. Fresh tangerine juice brings a natural sweetness, and thyme adds a gentle earthy flavor that really works with tequila. It’s such an easy way to give a familiar drink a lift.

Just a few steps, and you’ll have a cocktail that looks inviting and tastes crisp. It fits almost any occasion, honestly. Try it once, and you might wonder why you haven’t before.

Tangerine Thyme Margarita Cocktail Recipe

I keep coming back to this cocktail because it balances zesty citrus with a hint of herbal flavor. Fresh tangerine juice gives a sweet, tangy kick, and thyme adds an earthy note that sets it apart from your usual margarita.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker with a tight-fitting lid
• Jigger or small measuring cup
• Citrus juicer (handheld or electric)
• Strainer for catching pulp and stray thyme leaves
• Bar spoon for stirring
• Small plate for rimming with salt or sugar
• Rocks glass or short tumbler
• Knife and cutting board for prepping fruit and garnish
• Muddler (optional, if you want to press thyme into the juice)

I like to keep my tools close so I can move quickly. A shaker chills the drink fast and mixes everything nicely.

Ingredients

• 2 oz silver tequila
• 1 oz Cointreau (or another orange liqueur)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 2 oz tangerine juice (or clementine juice if tangerines aren’t around)
• ½ oz agave syrup (taste and adjust)
• 1–2 sprigs fresh thyme
• Salt or sugar for the rim (optional)
• Ice cubes for shaking and serving
• Tangerine or lime wheel for garnish

I usually go with silver tequila—it’s clean and lets the citrus shine. If you can, squeeze your own juice; it really does make a difference.

Instructions

• Run a lime wedge around your glass rim, then dip it in salt or sugar.
• Pour tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, tangerine juice, agave, and thyme into a shaker.
• Toss in ice, cover, and shake hard for about 15–20 seconds.
• Strain into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
• Top with a tangerine or lime slice and a little thyme sprig.
• Taste and tweak the sweetness—add more agave if you want.

I shake until the shaker feels icy and frosty on the outside. That’s my sign it’s cold enough.

Notes

I swap in clementines for tangerines now and then. Both work, though clementines are usually a touch sweeter.

If you want more thyme flavor, muddle the herb gently with the citrus juice first. For a milder note, just toss in the sprig whole.

Adjust the sweetness by cutting back the agave or skipping the rim sugar. Personally, I like a salted rim—it balances the fruit and tequila.

Stick with fresh juice if you can. The drink just tastes brighter and more refreshing that way.

Tasting Notes

Right away, I taste the bright citrus. The tangerine brings this sweet, slightly tart flavor that feels fresh and honestly kind of clean on my tongue. It doesn’t overwhelm, but it gives the drink a lively start.

Then the thyme kicks in with a gentle herbal note. I mostly notice it at the finish, where it balances out the sweetness and leaves this subtle earthy taste. It honestly makes the drink feel a bit more layered, more interesting.

The tequila shows up with a smooth, warm edge. I can sense it, but it never gets too sharp or pushy. It just ties the citrus and herbs together in a way that feels simple but balanced.

I’d call the texture crisp and refreshing. The mix of fresh juice and ice gives it a light body, and those flavors stay clear from the first sip to the last.

When I sip slowly, I notice small shifts in flavor. First, the sweet citrus leads, then the herbal thyme follows, and finally, the soft tequila lingers. It kind of makes each sip feel just a little different.

Key flavor notes I notice:

• Sweet citrus from tangerine
• Herbal freshness from thyme
• Smooth warmth from tequila
• Light, crisp texture from fresh juice and ice