Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or 6-inch squares of parchment paper and mist with cooking spray. (Use parchment paper if you want a more domed muffin; the batter will cling to the paper as it rises.)
Whisk the flour, cornmeal, 3/4 cup sugar, the baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk, apricot nectar, grapeseed oil, vanilla extract and orange zest until combined.
Beat the egg whites and remaining 3/4 cup sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes.
Whisk the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients until just moistened. Gently fold in the egg-white mixture until almost combined, then fold in the raspberries; do not overmix.
Divide the batter among the prepared cups (an ice cream scoop works well).
Bake until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
Remove the muffins from the pan and cool on a rack.
