Christmas Cranberry Margarita
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The holidays are the perfect time to sip something bright, festive, and a little bit indulgent – and this Christmas Cranberry Margarita checks all the boxes. Tart cranberries, a little orange, some fresh lime, and silver tequila come together in a cocktail that’s a deliciously tart alternative to the season’s sweeter cocktails. Its vibrant red color makes it a show-stopping addition to any holiday party – whether you’re hosting family and friends, or having taco night.
This Christmas margarita takes the classic margarita you already love and gives it a seasonal twist. The cranberry adds a perfect balance of tartness and holiday cheer, while the touch of sweetness and citrus makes it refreshing enough to enjoy throughout a festive evening. It’s easy to make, fun to serve, and perfect for toasting to all the magic of the season.
Whether you’re serving a large batch (see recipe below) as a signature holiday cocktail or shaking some up for friends, Christmas Cranberry Margaritas are a festive and flavorful crowd-pleasing drink. I love serving these margs with some 5 minute blender salsa and my homemade tortilla chips for an easy happy hour that still feels special enough for the holidays.
Ingredients
- Silver tequila – Choose silver tequila (aka blanco tequila) lets the cranberry flavor shine through better than reposado tequila in this recipe. Choose your favorite tequila for this recipe.
- Cranberry orange syrup – Made with fresh or frozen cranberries, fresh orange, sugar and water, this easy syrup giving this cranberry margarita a richer flavor than cranberry juice ever could.
- Limes – Fresh citrus gives the best flavor, plus you’ll need it fresh limes for the rim and garnish, so squeeze a fresh lime for your cocktail. You’ll need about 1 lime per drink.
- Orange liqueur – Choose your favorite orange liqueur or triple sec for this cocktail.
- Coarse salt, garnish – A coarse salt will give a stronger salty flavor, but you can use whatever salt you have on hand.
- Fresh cranberries, garnish – Totally optional, but they look super festive floating on the top of your drink. Feel free to use frozen cranberries straight from the freezer.
Mixology Tip: While some will tell you only top shelf (aka high-priced) liquor will do, I don’t agree. When making cocktails like margaritas – where there are lots of other ingredients – a mid-priced spirit works great and makes for a delicious cocktail. Save the expensive tequilas for when you want to sip them straight from the glass.
How to Make a Cranberry Margarita
Pour the salt onto a shallow dish. Run a lime slice around the rim of the glass.
Dip it into the salt. Fill the glass with ice and set it aside.
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, combine tequila, cranberry orange syrup, lime juice, and triple sec.
Cover and shake well. Strain into your prepared glass.
Garnish with cranberries and lime slices (fresh or dehydrated citrus).
Sip and enjoy.
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Christmas Cranberry Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Silver tequila
- 1.5 oz Cranberry orange syrup
- 0.75 oz Lime juice, fresh
- 0.25 oz Orange liqueur, or triple sec
- Coarse salt, for the rim
- Fresh cranberries, garnish
- Lime slices, fresh or dehydrated (garnish)
Instructions
- Pour the salt onto a shallow dish.Coarse salt
- Run a lime slice around the rim of the glass and dip it into the salt.
- Fill the glass with ice and set it aside.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, combine tequila, cranberry syrup, lime juice, and triple sec.2 oz Silver tequila, 1.5 oz Cranberry orange syrup, 0.75 oz Lime juice, 0.25 oz Orange liqueur
- Cover and shake well.
- Strain into your prepared glass.
- Garnish with cranberries and lime slices (fresh or dehydrated citrus).Fresh cranberries, Lime slices
- Sip and enjoy.
Homemade Cranberry Orange Syrup
Making your own cranberry orange syrup takes about 10 minutes and 4 ingredients (if you count the water!). It’ll keep in the refrigerator for 2+ weeks, so you can stir up a batch when you have time, then just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to make your cocktails. Get the recipe over on my Cranberry Orange Syrup recipe page.
Cranberry Christmas Margaritas by the Pitcher
Need to make a large batch of these delicious cranberry margaritas for holiday entertaining? Use the amounts below to make a pitcher of 8 cocktails. Double or triple the amounts as needed!
- 16 oz (2 cups) silver tequila
- 12 oz (1 ½ cups) cranberry orange syrup*
- 6 oz (⅔ cup) fresh lime juice
- 2 oz (¼ cup) orange liqueur or triple sec
- 4 oz (½ cup) cold water
Combine all ingredients into a large pitcher. Stir to combine. Add in fresh or frozen cranberries and/or lime slices. Do not add ice cubes to the pitcher. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve over ice in salt-rimmed glasses.
*This is one full batch of my cranberry orange syrup.
Note: The addition of water to the pitcher recipe is to make up for not shaking these margaritas, so don’t leave that out!
Looking for More Cranberry Drinks?
Use more of the cranberry orange syrup in my cranberry old fashioned and cranberry orange whiskey sour. Or switch over to cranberry juice and shake up a festive cranberry gin cocktail or a classic cosmopolitan.
Don’t Miss These Christmas Cocktails
A great festive drink will level up any holiday gathering. Even something as simple as a cookie exchange or baking afternoon becomes a little more fun with a holiday-themed sip in hand. Try shaking up my sugar cookie martini or a peppermint mocha martini. For you guests who don’t drink alcohol, make a gingerbread mocktail or cranberry orange mocktail.
