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My favorite Christmas Margarita recipe is made with just a few ingredients. These Mistletoe Margaritas are essentially cranberry margaritas – they’re a tart, slightly sweet, perfect cranberry tequila holiday drink. 

A beautiful pink cranberry margarita in a coupe glass garnished with dried cranberries and rosemary in front of a dark blue background with gold cocktail shaker. A delicious Christmas margarita.

If you’re looking for Christmas Cocktails, you will love this Christmas Margarita! Unveiling the secrets to concocting the perfect Cranberry Margarita, our festive twist on the classic, promises to be the star of your holiday celebrations. This naturally red margarita features seasonal ingredients for a festive holiday drink. 

Bursting with the tart essence of cranberries and the smooth kick of tequila, this seasonal sensation will elevate your cocktail game. Let’s dive into the details and discover how to whip up this merry marvel that will undoubtedly rank high on your list of holiday favorites.

The ingredients for cranberry margaritas on a white stone countertop: ice, tequila, lime juice, cranberry juice, rosemary, dried cranberries, sugar, and Cointreau.

WHAT IS A MISTLETOE MARGARITA? 

A Mistletoe Margarita is a festive and holiday-inspired variation of the classic margarita, designed to bring a touch of Christmas cheer to your celebrations. This seasonal cocktail often features traditional margarita ingredients with the addition of flavors reminiscent of the holidays – cranberry juice and a “mistletoe” garnish of rosemary. 

CHRISTMAS MARGARITA INGREDIENTS

To create the quintessential Cranberry Margarita, you’ll need to assemble the following festive ingredients:

1. Tequila: Silver or reposadoWhile silver or reposado tequila is the traditional choice, feel free to experiment with different types or even introduce a smoky mezcal or sotol for a unique twist.

2. Freshly-Squeezed Lime Juice: Elevate your margarita with the zing of freshly squeezed lime juice. Trust me, the difference in flavor is unparalleled. Invest in a reliable citrus juicer for a hassle-free juicing experience.

3. Orange Liqueur: Cointreau is my personal go-to, but the richness of Grand Marnier or a high-quality Triple Sec can also work wonders. Choose the one that suits your taste buds.

4. Cranberry Juice: Tart red cranberry juice is what transforms a classic margarita into a Christmas margarita. 

Optional Additions to Elevate Your Cocktails:

Agave: If sweetness is your preference, consider adding agave syrup or any sweetener of your choice to taste.

Kosher Salt: For that classic margarita rim, run a lime wedge around the glass rims and dip them in coarse Kosher salt. To kick it up a notch, mix in some Tajín for an extra chili-lime twist.

Additional Lime Slices/Wedges: Save some extra lime slices or wedges for garnish and added visual appeal.

Cranberries for Garnish: Foat a few fresh cranberries in the drinks, or skewer a few fresh cranberries onto a pick. 

Green herbs for Garnish: These cranberry margaritas need something green to make them Christmasy. I like to use a sprig of rosemary or mint. 

HOW TO MAKE A CRANBERRY MARGARITA (SINGLE-SERVING)

For a single-serving Cranberry Margarita, follow these simple steps:

1. Prep Your Glasses: Salt the rim of your glass by running a juicy lime wedge around it and dipping it in coarse Kosher salt. Set aside.

2. Combine in a Cocktail Shaker: In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, freshly-squeezed lime juice, orange liqueur, and a few ice cubes. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until chilled.

3. Taste and Sweeten: Taste your mix and, if desired, add agave or your preferred sweetener gradually until the desired sweetness is achieved.

4. Strain and Serve on the Rocks: Strain your Cranberry Margarita mix over ice in your prepared glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.

HOW TO MAKE A PITCHER OF CRANBERRY MARGARITAS

For a larger gathering, delight your guests with a pitcher of Cranberry Margaritas:

1. Prep Your Glasses: Salt the rims of your glasses by following the same lime wedge and Kosher salt method. Set aside.

2. Stir in a Large Pitcher: In a large pitcher, stir together tequila, freshly-squeezed lime juice, orange liqueur, and a handful of ice until well combined.

3. Taste and Sweeten: Taste the margarita mix and adjust sweetness by adding agave or your chosen sweetener.

4. Serve on the Rocks: Place ice cubes in each serving glass, then pour the Cranberry Margarita mix over the ice. Garnish with lime slices.

POSSIBLE RECIPE VARIATIONS

The Cranberry Margarita is your canvas for creativity. Here are a few variations to consider:

1. Make Mezcal Cranberry Margaritas: Introduce a smoky twist by using mezcal alongside or instead of tequila.

2. Make Spicy Cranberry Margaritas: Muddle fresh jalapeño or serrano chiles for a kick of spice. Start with a few slices and adjust to your desired heat level.

3. Make “Skinny” Cranberry Margaritas: Trim calories by substituting freshly squeezed orange juice for the orange liqueur, maintaining the great taste.

4. Make Virgin Cranberry Margaritas: Embrace the festive spirit without the alcohol by following your favorite virgin margarita recipe. 

Two festive cranberry Christmas margaritas in coupe glasses garnished with dried cranberries and rosemary sit on a cutting board with limes in the background. An example of a delicious cranberry Christmas margarita recipe.

MORE CLASSIC COCKTAIL RECIPES:

Here are a few more favorite cocktail recipes perfect for celebrations. 

A veggie tamale on a natural stone plate next to a platter of wrapped tamales.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CRANBERRY MARGARITAS 

If you’re making Christmas Margaritas for friends, you’ll probably want something to nibble as well. Here are some tasty options for sharing. 

 

A cranberry Mistletoe margarita garnished with dried cranberries and rosemary in a coupe glass with limes and a cocktail shaker in the background. This is a delicious looking winter margarita recipe.

Yield: 2 Margaritas

Cranberry Margarita

Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes

These mistletoe margaritas are a fun and festive way to usher in the holiday season. They feature crisp cranberry juice, tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice and are garnished with cranberries and mock “mistletoe” (rosemary). They come together in minutes and are sure to delight. These are the perfect Christmas cranberry margaritas. Cheers!

Two cranberry margaritas in coupe glasses garnished with dried cranberries and rosemary.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup ice
  • 3 ounces cranberry juice
  • 3 ounces tequila
  • 1 ounce lime juice
  • 1 ounce Cointreau (or other orange liqueur)
  • ¼ cup white sugar or salt, for the rim
  • dried or fresh cranberries
  • rosemary sprigs

Instructions

  1. Add ice to a cocktail shaker and add cranberry juice, tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau. Close the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Taste and adjust if needed. Ingredients for cranberry margaritas with ice in a cocktail shaker.
  1. Rim your cocktail glasses with a bit of the drink or lime wedge, then dip the rim into the white sugar or salt. A coupe glass sits upside down in a dish filled with sugar.
  2. Pour the mistletoe margarita into the rimmed glasses. Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprigs. Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. Sweetened cranberry juice works best in this recipe. If you prefer to use pure, unsweetened cranberry juice, you will need to add agave or simple syrup to adjust the final result to your tastes.
  2. This margarita can be made in batches. 
  3. If making this drink ahead of time, you can mix everything but the lime juice (cranberry juice, tequila, Cointreau) and store it in the refrigerator for up to a

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1 drink
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 250
© Marina Delio
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: cocktails