This Cranberry Margarita is a festive twist on a classic margarita, combining tart cranberry with fresh lime, and smooth tequila. Top it all off with a hint of cinnamon sugar on the rim and it’s the perfect holiday cocktail.
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Festive Holiday Cranberry Margarita Recipe
This Cranberry Margarita is sure to bring holiday cheer to any occasion. With its beautiful red hue, refreshing citrus, and the touch of warmth from cinnamon and cranberry, this cocktail is festive and flavorful. Perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas and anytime in between!
Great for any holiday happy hour this recipe can be a single drink or easily make into a big batch cocktail. If you love cranberry sauce you are bound to love this cranberry cocktail. This time of year pretty much everything centers around cranberries for me, I end up adding them to all my favorite cocktails and mocktails like my Cranberry Bourbon Smash or my Cranberry Orange Mocktail. I hope you enjoy this recipe for one of my favorite drinks.
Equipment Needed
- Glassware: A classic margarita glass, a festive tumbler, or a rocks glass are all great options.
- Cocktail Shaker: To mix and chill your ingredients.
- Small Plate: For mixing and applying the cinnamon-sugar and salt rim.
- Jigger or Measuring Tool: For measuring the ingredients.
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Ingredients
- Cranberry Simple Syrup – The heart of the holiday flavor and it is easy to make it at home, get the recipe for Cranberry Simple Syrup. If you like your drinks on the sweeter side you can add a little extra of the simple syrup to the drink.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is key to the crisp citrus flavor.
- Triple Sec or Cointreau – Found in a regular margarita use any type of orange liqueur that you have, grand marnier works just like triple sec or cointreau.
- Tequila – Choose a quality blanco tequila or reposado tequila, either type of tequila will work. I like the brand Tres Agave.
For the Rim:
- Cinnamon Sugar – Adds a touch of warmth and spice to each sip.
- Kosher Salt – You can also use sea salt but I would skip the table salt, you want a coarse salt for the rim.
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh lime slices and a handful of cranberries for a festive look.
- If you want to get really fancy with a festive spin you can make Sugared Cranberries for your garnish, they are easy to make they just take a bit of prep time.
Instructions
Prepare the Rim:
On a small plate, mix the cinnamon sugar and kosher salt together. Take a juiced lime half or a lime wedge and rub it along the rim of your glass, then dip the glass into the cinnamon-sugar mixture until well-coated. Set the glass aside.
Combine Ingredients in Shaker:
Add the fresh lime juice, triple sec, tequila, and cranberry simple syrup into a cocktail shaker along with a large handful of ice. Cover the shaker and shake vigorously until well-chilled, about 10-20 seconds.
Serve and Garnish:
Add fresh ice to your rimmed glass. Strain the cranberry margarita mixture into your prepared glass. Garnish with lime slices and a few fresh cranberries for an extra-festive look. Sip, relax, and enjoy!
Tips, Tricks and Questions
If you like this Cranberry Margarita you might also like:
Apple Cider Margarita
Bourbon Pomegranate Cocktail
Blood Orange Hibiscus Margarita
Classic Margarita Recipe
Cranberry Gin Cocktail
Cranberry Margarita
Perfect for the holiday season this festive cocktail is the perfect balance between tart cranberries and citrusy tequila.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ¾ ounce Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 ½ ounce tequila
- 1 ounce cranberry simple syrup
For the Rim:
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- For the rim on a small plate mix together the cinnamon sugar and kosher salt. Use a juiced lime half or lime wedge and rub it all across the rim of the glass. Dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar-salt mixture. Set aside.
- Add the lime juice, triple sec, tequila, and cranberry syrup along with a large handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake until well chilled about 10 to 20 seconds.
- Add ice to your drinking glass and strain the margarita into the prepared glass. Garnish with lime slices and fresh cranberries, enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1 drinkAmount Per Serving: Calories: 219Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1260mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 0gSugar: 22gProtein: 0g
Nutritional data is automated and might not be 100% accurate, final nutritional information will depend on ingredients used and any changes made.
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