Irn Bru Margaritas taste magic! With only 3 simple ingredients you can enjoy this tasty Scottish twist on the classic cocktail.
Irn Bru Margaritas are the fun, fizzy cocktail crossover you didn’t know you needed. Inspired by Scotland’s famously bright orange soft drink and the classic margarita we all love, this quirky cocktail uses homemade Irn Bru syrup for a sweet, citrusy punch with a twist.
Whether you are hosting friends for Hogmanay drinks or want a standout cocktail for Burns Night, these Irn Bru Margaritas hit all the right notes. Fizzy, sour, a little boozy and totally delicious.
If you love margaritas you also need to try my Strawberry Tequila Fizz and Amaretto Orange Margaritas.
Recipe Summary
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 classic Irn Bru recipe is tightly guarded with lots of urban myths – including one that it is 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 would 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
Making Irn Bru syrup at home is a simple but essential step to make Irn Bru Margaritas:
- Pour a bottle of Original Recipe 1901 Irn Bru into a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then simmer until reduced by about half.
- Let cool completely – you can store syrup in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Tip: Original Irn Bru has the sugar content to reduce into a proper syrup – alternatives (like XTRA, diet or energy variants) won’t work as well.
Best Tequila for Margaritas
The right tequila makes all the difference!
- 100% agave tequila – smoother and more flavourful
- Blanco (Silver) – bright and citrusy
- Reposado – softer, more complex
Avoid mixto tequilas with added sugars as they can make your cocktail harsh.
Some of my top choices for Blanco and Resposado Tequila are –
Olmeca Altos Blanco or Olmeca Altos Reposado – the best budget choice in my opinion and a great place to start if you are new to tequila.
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.
Irn Bru Margarita FAQs
I hope you like this recipe as much as I do!
Don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment if you make it.
Your feedback is really important and helps me keep making recipes you love!
Perfect dishes to pair with an Irn Bru Margarita:
- Halloumi Tacos with Avocado Ranch
- The Best Guacamole and tortilla chips
- Easy Chicken Fajitas
- Beef Burrito Bowls
The Recipe
Irn Bru Margaritas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 35 ml (1.25 oz) Tequila - 100% Agave – either Blanco or Reposado
- 70 ml (2.5 oz) 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
Brilliant
So glad you enjoyed!