Irn Bru Margaritas taste like magic! With only 3 simple ingredients enjoy this tasty Scottish twist on the classic cocktail.
Who doesn’t love a margarita? I’ve replaced the typical orange liqueur in a classic margarita with Irn Bru syrup for a Scottish twist on my favourite cocktail. If you love margaritas you also need to try my Strawberry Tequila Fizz and Amaretto Orange Margaritas.
Irn Bru Margaritas
‘Scotland’s Other National Drink’ – Irn Bru is the most popular soft drink in Scotland and well known as an excellent hangover cure but not so much as a cocktail ingredient.
The recipe is tightly guarded with lots of urban myths – including one that it’s made from steel girders!
The story goes that Irn Bru was invented as an alternative for beer to quench the thirst of the steel workers rebuilding Glasgow Central Station in 1901. It kept them grafting thanks to a lot of sugar and caffeine.
What does Irn Bru Taste Like?
Rusted steel and battery acid… Just kidding, it tastes like magic! A lot of people describe Irn Bru as bubblegum flavour but that is 100% incorrect. It is actually quite difficult to properly describe as just like coca cola and Pepsi it really has its own super distinct flavour.
In a pinch, I’d describe Irn Bru as a fizzy, sugary drink with a sweet yet tangy citrus and ginger flavour and an iconic bright orange colour.
How to Make Irn Bru Syrup
This Irn Bru Margarita recipe has only 3 simple ingredients – tequila, lime juice and Irn Bru syrup.
You can buy Irn Bru syrup but it is really easy to make your own. Start off with a bottle of Original Recipe 1901 Irn Bru, which is sold in 750ml glass bottles. This recipe is ‘Old and Unimproved’ and is made with sugar and no sweeteners. If you can’t source 1901 Irn Bru then you can use the everyday version, but I would stay away from the sugar free, XTRA or energy versions as these don’t have the sugar content to reduce to a syrup.
Simply pour the Irn Bru into a pot and bring to the boil over a high heat. Once boiling, simmer for 20-30 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half (you may need to adjust this timing if you making a larger batch).
Allow to cool completely before using. You can store the Irn Bru syrup in a bottle or jar in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Which Tequila is best for Margaritas?
Always 100% Agave! Don’t settle for anything less – there are so many options easily available now, don’t bother with those cheap mixto (blended) tequilas with the plastic sombrero lids. Your future self will thank you for it too – better quality tequila means less of a hangover the next day!
Blanco or Reposado Tequilas work best in margaritas. If you are new to tequila I’d definitely recommend a good quality Blanco Tequila (also called Plata or Silver). A good quality Blanco is lovely and smooth to drink with a peppery citrus taste which is perfect for a margarita.
Some of my top choices for both Blanco and Resposado are –
Olmeca Altos Blanco or Olmeca Altos Reposado – the best budget choice in my opinion and a great starter choice.
Gran Centenario Plata (my all time fave for a margarita) or Gran Centenario Reposado
Herradura Plata or Herradura Reposado (my personal favourite Reposado, with a delicious buttery cinnamon finish.)
Don Julio and Patron are also great well known brands which are fairly easy to source.
You could also swap in Mezcal for a smokier drink.
I hope you like this recipe as much as I do! Please leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @carrieskitchen_ if you make it!
Perfect dishes to pair with an Irn Bru Margarita:
Irn Bru Margaritas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 35 ml Tequila 100% Agave – either Blanco or Reposado
- 70 ml Irn Bru Syrup
- 1 lime
- salt to rim glass optional garnish
Irn Bru Syrup
- 750 ml bottle of 1901 original recipe Irn Bru
Instructions
To make the Irn Bru Syrup
- Pour the Irn Bru into a small saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium-high heat. Allow to simmer for about 20 minutes, until the liquid volume has reduced by half.
- Allow to cool before serving. Store in a jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
To Make the Margaritas
- If desired, rim your glass with salt – run a lime wedge around the rim to dampen it and dip in a small dish of flaky sea salt (you can also rim with sugar or a mix of both). You can serve these cocktails straight up in a margarita glass or on the rocks in a tumbler. Blend the ingredients with ice for a frozen version.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour over the tequila and Irn Bru syrup. Squeeze in the juice of 1 lime.
- Put the lid on the shaker and shake really well – the outside of the shaker should get so cold it's almost uncomfortable to touch.
- Strain into your chosen glass and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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