September 21, 2021

Candles + Cocktails: Mandarin Orange Margarita

We know we’re no food blog, but who can resist a good cocktail pairing? That’s why we’ve started this Candles + Cocktails series, where we will work our way through each of our candles (limited edition, seasonal, and all) to craft a perfect drink you will feel confident serving as an accent to the candle you have burning.

To kick off the series, we have a twist on a fan-favorite: a Mandarin Orange Margarita. Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean margaritas are going out of style. You cannot take our tequila from us! Margaritas are delicious year-round, and who ever says otherwise is not the kind of person you need in your life, plain and simple.

This Mandarin Orange Margarita pairs perfectly with our Mandarin + Resins candle, highlighting the citrus-forward scent and tangy under notes. The best part? You don’t need to be a bartender to make this. It’s simple, easy, yet bound to impress your tastebuds and whoever else you have over.

Our Mandarin and Resins candle lays on a white backdrop with mandarin oranges pouring out the candle vessel

Enough of this intro. Let’s get to the recipe, shall we?

What You’ll Need

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Tequila (gold or silver, but absolutely no plastic bottles allowed)
  • Mandarin oranges (a five-pound bag of Cuties should do!)
  • Orange liqueur (Cointreau preferably, but Triple Sec will also work)
  • Fresh limes
  • Margarita Salt
  • Pink peppercorn
  • Sugar

What You’ll Do

  • First, you’ll need to make the mandarin orange simple syrup needed for the drink.
    • Combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and ¾ cup fresh mandarin orange juice in a pot on the stove on medium heat.
    • Stir constantly until sugar dissolves and then stir for a couple minutes more.
    • Remove pot from heat and let cool. Once cooled, pour mixture into a jar or bottle and place in fridge for extra cooling.
    • This simple syrup will last 5-7 days in your fridge.
  • Once the mandarin orange simple syrup has been made and cooled, you’re ready to get started on the drink.
  • Pour 3 ounces of tequila, 1.5 ounces of mandarin orange simple syrup, 1 ounce of orange liqueur, and the juice of half a lime into a shaker with ice.
  • Shake what your momma gave you (and shake the shaker while you’re at it!)
  • Pour margarita salt onto a small plate and crack fresh pink peppercorn into the salt and mix.
  • Rub a lime wedge along the rim of your glass.
  • Dip your glass rim into the salt and pink peppercorn mixture.
  • Add ice into your glass.
  • Pour margarita from the shaker into your glass.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge or a mandarin orange wedge (or both!)
  • Enjoy!

Trust us, this recipe is a tried-and-true favorite. It’s just as delicious as it sounds. The only other thing we would suggest is adding a little bit of fresh jalapeño if spice is your jam! Otherwise, you have a perfectly refreshing spin on a classic margarita that pairs perfectly with your Mandarin + Resins candle. Who says cocktail hour has to wait until 5pm?

 

Written by Hannah Pena