Festive Christmas Cranberry Margarita

Here’s my favorite Christmas margarita recipe, with fresh cranberries, good tequila, lime juice, and a festive sugar rim that makes it perfect for holiday parties.

This cranberry margarita has become our go-to cocktail during December gatherings. I usually mix up a big batch before guests arrive – it saves time and lets me enjoy the party too.

Nothing says “holiday happy hour” quite like these red and green cocktails, don’t you think?

What Kind of Tequila Should I Use?

For this festive cocktail, you’ll want to stick with a blanco (also called silver or white) tequila, which works best in mixed drinks.

Blanco tequila hasn’t been aged in oak barrels, so it has a clean, pure taste that won’t compete with the cranberry and other fruit flavors.

While premium brands like Patron or Don Julio are great choices, mid-range options such as Espolòn or Olmeca Altos will work perfectly fine and won’t break the bank.

Just make sure you choose a tequila that’s labeled “100% agave” – this means it’s made purely from blue agave plants and doesn’t contain any added sugars or fillers that could throw off the balance of your margarita.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with this festive cocktail? Here are some handy substitutions you can try:

• Cranberry juice: If you’re out of cranberry juice, you can use cran-raspberry juice or pure pomegranate juice. Just note that using all pomegranate juice will make the drink a bit more tart.
• Pomegranate juice: You can skip this and just use extra cranberry juice, or try cherry juice for a different but equally tasty twist.
• Orange liqueur: Triple sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier all work great here. If you need a non-alcoholic option, use 1-2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice with a dash of simple syrup.
• Tequila: While clear tequila is ideal, reposado will work too – it’ll just give a slightly warmer flavor. For a non-alcoholic version, replace tequila with white grape juice mixed with a splash of lime juice.
• Garnish: No frozen cranberries? Try fresh ones, or swap with raspberries. Mint can stand in for rosemary, though it will give a different vibe to the drink.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest mistake when crafting this festive cocktail is using low-quality tequila – always opt for 100% agave tequila, as mixto varieties can leave a harsh aftertaste and throw off the balance of flavors.

A common error is eyeballing the measurements instead of using a proper jigger or measuring tool, which can make your drink either too strong or too sweet – precision matters when mixing cocktails.

To keep your margarita from becoming watered down, chill all ingredients beforehand and use large ice cubes that melt more slowly than standard ones.

For the best presentation and taste, avoid using bottled lime juice – fresh-squeezed makes a noticeable difference and brings out the natural tartness of the cranberries.

What to Serve With Cranberry Margaritas?

These festive cocktails pair perfectly with your favorite Mexican-inspired appetizers and snacks.

I like to serve them alongside warm tortilla chips and fresh guacamole, or some spicy queso dip that balances nicely with the tart cranberry flavor. For holiday parties, setting up a simple taco bar with all the fixings makes for an easy and fun spread that goes great with these drinks.

You can also put out a platter of lime-seasoned shrimp cocktail or some cheese and crackers if you’re looking for lighter nibbles to go with your margaritas.

Storage Instructions

Make Ahead: Want to prep for your holiday party? Mix up a big batch of this festive cocktail (minus the ice) in a pitcher up to 24 hours before serving. Keep it covered in the refrigerator until your guests arrive. This makes hosting so much easier!

Keep Cold: If you’re serving these margaritas at a party, place your pitcher in an ice bucket or on ice to maintain the perfect chilled temperature. The drink is best enjoyed fresh and cold – nobody likes a warm margarita!

Garnish Fresh: Add your ice, frozen cranberries, and rosemary sprigs just before serving to keep everything looking fresh and pretty. Pro tip: you can prep your garnishes ahead and keep the cranberries frozen and rosemary sprigs in a damp paper towel in the fridge.

Preparation Time	5-10 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	5-10 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Ingredients

• 3 oz cranberry juice
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1/2 oz orange liqueur
• 2 oz clear tequila
• Garnish with ice, frozen cranberries, and a rosemary sprig

Step 1: Combine Ingredients in a Shaker

Add all ingredients to your martini shaker.

If you don’t have a shaker, a mason jar works just fine as long as you can strain out the ice later.

Make sure the lid is on tight to avoid any spills.

Step 2: Shake It Up

Shake the mixture vigorously.

Move the shaker up, down, and all around to thoroughly mix and chill the ingredients.

Step 3: Pour and Garnish

Pour the mixed drink into a glass over fresh ice.

Top it with a few frozen cranberries and garnish with a sprig of rosemary for an elegant touch.

Enjoy your well-crafted cocktail!