Enjoy this easy and festive cranberry margarita that is the perfect balance of sweet and tart! The perfect holiday cocktail for a fun party or even a night in!
Please drink responsibly! 21+
Margaritas have to be one of my favorite drinks. I love the bite from the tequila especially pared with a little sweetness.
Recently I went on a cross country road trip and tried a number of different margaritas along the way. Most were on the rocks and a few were blended.
As tasty as they were, so many were just super sweet and you could barely taste the bite from the alcohol. As with most things, homemade is always going to taste better.
So, I figured why not share one of my favorite Christmas margaritas with you?!
What you need to make cranberry margaritas:
- Cranberry Juice- I recommend using 100% cranberry juice (not a cranberry cocktail).
- Tequila- use a blacno/silver tequila
- Orange Liqueur- You can use Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier
- Lime Juice- I use fresh limes so I can use the juice for the drink and also to easily coat the rim of the glass
- Salt
- Ice- I use a similar square ice cube tray to this one! (affiliate)
- Simple Syrup- optional!
Garnishes
- Cranberries- plain or sugared cranberries
- Fresh Rosemary Leaves for a pop of green
- Lime wedges
Tools
- Cocktail Shaker or just stir everything together in a cup (affiliate link)
Cranberries are one of my favorite holiday ingredients. I love making cranberry relish, cranberry sauce, cranberry orange muffins, and now these margaritas!
How to make a delicious cranberry margarita?
- If using a shaker, fill it with ice, then add the juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Shake and then pour over a cup filled will ice. Garnish and enjoy!
- If not using a shaker, combine the juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a cup/mason jar/measuring glass. Then pour that mixture over your ice filled cup. Garnish and enjoy!
This is such an easy and delicious recipe. Are you a big margarita fan?
What is the best alcohol to use in a margarita?
The best and most common tequila is a silver/blanco tequila. The most common orange liqueur is typically a Cointreau or Triple Sec.
Frozen or on the rocks, which do you prefer?
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I am an on the rocks type of gal but every now and then the slushy goodness of a frozen margarita hits the spot.
Thankfully it is super easy to turn any margarita into a frozen one!
Frozen cranberry margarita recipe?
In a powerful blender combine all the ingredients for the drink with a cup full of ice and blend until slushy, adding more ice if needed.
What is simple syrup?
Simple syrup is a a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar heated to combine and then cooled and added to drinks.
To make it simply add 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a medium sauce pan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
Remove from heat and allow to cool, then add to your favorite drinks!
I use simple syrup in drinks like my mint julep or my Halloween Witches Brew Cocktail. It gives the drink a sweeter taste and is what I recommend if you want your margarita a little sweeter!
What is cranberry margarita made of?
Cranberry Margarita is a simple twist to the classic margarita. Substituting a portion of the lime juice with cranberry juice makes this a delicious holiday drink!
In addition to the lime juice and cranberry juice you also add tequila and orange liqueur.
How to make a pitcher of cranberry margaritas?
- 5 cups cranberry juice
- 3 cups tequila
- 2 cups orange liqueur
- 1 cup lime juice
Mix everything together and add ice.
For a pitcher I reduced the cranberry juice a bit so you can fit ice into a gallon pitcher along with all the other ingredients.
So, feel free to add more if you need too!
I love pairing this margarita with some fajitas, tacos, or chicken street tacos. It really makes every dish a festive one!
For more holiday recipes check out my Chewy Gingerbread Cookies, Christmas Tree Cupcakes, or my Christmas Tree Bruschetta!
Video
Cranberry Margarita
Ingredients
Single Cranberry Margarita
- 4 ounces pure cranberry juice (use a brand the is 100% cranberry juice- not a mix of juices and sugar)
- 1 ½ ounces blanco/silver Tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice (~half a lime)
- Optional Sweetener: Simple Syrup*, or Agave to taste
- Ice
- Candied Cranberries & Rosemary Sprigs for Garnish
- Coarse Salt and Sugar Mix for Rimming Glasses
Pitcher of Margarita
- 5 cups pure cranberry juice use a brand the is 100% cranberry juice
- 3 cups blanco/silver Tequila
- 2 cup orange liqueur Contreou or Triple Sec
- 1 cup lime juice
- Optional Sweetener: Simple Syrup or Agave to taste
- Ice
- Candied Cranberries & Rosemary Sprigs for Garnish
- Coarse Salt and Sugar Mix for Rimming Glasses
Instructions
Single Margarita
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass.
- Make 1:1 mix of sugar and salt and place on a shallow plate. Then dip glass rim in it and fill with ice.Coarse Salt and Sugar Mix for Rimming Glasses
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, then add in the cranberry juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice.4 ounces pure cranberry juice, 1 ½ ounces blanco/silver Tequila, 1 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec), ½ ounce fresh lime juice (~half a lime), Ice
- Shake to combine all the ingredients then strain over your ice filled glass. Garnish with sugared cranberries and sprigs of fresh rosemary.Ice, Candied Cranberries & Rosemary Sprigs for Garnish
Pitcher of Margarita
- In a gallon pitcher* stir together the cranberry juice, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice.5 cups pure cranberry juice, 3 cups blanco/silver Tequila, 2 cup orange liqueur, 1 cup lime juice
- Add ice and serve with salt and sugar rimmed glasses and garnishes.Ice, Candied Cranberries & Rosemary Sprigs for Garnish, Coarse Salt and Sugar Mix for Rimming Glasses
Notes
- * Simple syrup is a a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar heated to combine and then cooled and added to drinks. To make it simply add 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a medium sauce pan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Then remove from heat and allow to cool, then add to your favorite drinks!
- *If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, simply stir all the ingredients together in a cup!
- *I reduced the amount of cranberry juice for the pitcher size so you can it ice into the pitcher along with the margarita. However, add more if you want a stronger cranberry flavor.
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