This Cranberry Margarita is a vibrant fusion of tangy cranberry, zesty citrus, and a kick of tequila. Made with classic margarita ingredients plus a festive twist – it's a burst of holiday cheer in every sip!
Thirsty for more winter cocktail recipes? Get in the holiday spirit with a Chocolate Peppermint Martini and stay warm by the fire with a Fireball Hot Toddy.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- It's simple and easy to whip up and comes together in under 5 minutes!
- This cranberry margarita recipe is made with only 5 ingredients!
- You will love the delicious sweet and tart flavor! Cranberry juice and tequila is a perfect pairing.
- Serve this for any occasion that calls for a red cocktail - Valentine's Day, 4th of July, Christmas - all of the above!
Ingredients
- Cranberry Juice - I like to use 100% cranberry juice, which is unsweetened and free of added sugars. The color is more vibrant and you can sweeten your drink to taste. If you purchase cranberry juice cocktail, use less simple syrup or none at all.
- Tequila - Use a mid-range quality tequila that you enjoy drinking. Blanco or reposado tequila is best for mixing in margaritas.
- Triple Sec or Cointreau - Triple sec is slightly sweeter and more budget-friendly than Cointreau. It depends on your preference, both work well in margs.
- Fresh Lime Juice - Freshly squeezed lime juice is always best.
- Simple Syrup - a liquid sweetener. You can buy simple syrup in the store or easily make your own by dissolving one cup of sugar in one cup of hot water on the stove. Add fresh cranberries to make a cranberry simple syrup.
Recommended Tools
- A cocktail shaker for mixing the booze.
- A cocktail jigger for properly measuring liquid.
- You can't go wrong with a classic margarita glass, but I love these adorable cactus margarita glasses too!
- If you are making a big batch of cranberry margaritas for a crowd, serve them in this beautiful glass pitcher.
How to Make a Cranberry Margarita
One of my favorite Christmas drinks with tequila is this festive margarita recipe. The beautiful bright red color makes this a perfect Christmas margarita, but it's tasty enough to drink all year!
Here's how to make one drink - exact measurements can be found in the recipe card.
Step 1: Using a fresh lime wedge, glide it along the outer edge of a margarita glass, ensuring a thin, even coating of citrus juice covers the entire rim. This will serve as an adhesive for the salt.
Step 2: Add a two tablespoons of margarita salt to a small plate or cocktail rimmer. Holding the glass upside down, gently dip the rim into the salt. Press down gently for even coverage.
Step 3: To a cocktail shaker, add a handful of ice, cranberry juice, tequila, triple sec, simple syrup, and lime juice.
Step 4: Shake cocktail shaker for 30 seconds to combine all ingredients. Strain and pour into the margarita glass.
For a festive presentation, garnish this red holiday margarita with cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
Best Tequila for Margaritas
There are three types of tequila: Blanco, reposado, and anejo. Their names indicate how long they have been aged and each one has a different flavor profile.
- Blanco (aka Silver) has been aged less than 2 months. It has notes of citrus and pepper, and has a strong, spicy finish.
- Reposado has been aged for 2 to 12 months in oak barrels. It has notes of caramel and vanilla with a smooth finish.
- Anejo has been aged for 1 to 4 years in oak barrels. It has a dark, rich flavor with notes of vanilla and cinnamon. It's best for sipping and served on the rocks.
So, to answer our question, Blanco or reposado are best for making margaritas or mixing in cocktails. For this Christmas margarita recipe, I choose a Blanco tequila because that's what I had available, but a reposado tequila would taste great too.
Bartender Tips
Fresh: Opt for freshly squeezed juice when making cocktails. Fresh citrus has superior taste, a well-balanced flavor, and avoids the bitterness often found in store-bought bottled lime juice.
Chill: Pre-chill your margarita glasses in the freezer before serving. The frosty glass eliminates the need for ice, preserving the drink's integrity without dilution.
Make a Pitcher of Cranberry Margaritas
Bring out the pitcher and let's make big batch margaritas! If you're making this easy cranberry margarita recipe for a crowd, it's best to make them ahead of time. After all, it's your party too - enjoy it!
This big batch margarita recipe serves 8 drinks:
- 3 cups of 100% cranberry juice
- 1 ½ cups of tequila
- 1 cup of triple sec or Cointreau
- ½ cup lime juice
- ½ cup simple syrup
To store, keep the pitcher covered in the refrigerator for a maximum of 3 days. Reserve ice until serving time. Just before serving, add a handful of ice and thoroughly mix.
More Holiday Cocktails
Margarita Recipes:
Classic Frozen Margaritas
Spicy Jalapeño Margarita
Apple Cider Margarita
Cranberry Margarita
Midori Margarita
If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!
Cranberry Margarita Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 ounces 100% cranberry juice
- 1 ½ ounces tequila
- 1 ounce triple sec or cointreau
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- margarita salt, sprig of rosemary, fresh cranberries optional garnish
Instructions
- Using a lime wedge, wet the rim of a margarita glass. Dip moistened rim into a plate of margarita salt and gently press down to coat.
- Add all ingredients along with a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake for 30 seconds until the drink is chilled and mixed well. Strain and pour into a glass.
- Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of rosemary or a lime wedge.
Notes
- 3 cups of 100% cranberry juice
- 1 ½ cups of tequila
- 1 cup of triple sec or cointreau
- ½ cup lime juice
- ½ cup simple syrup
Martin
What a fun and unique drink, I have been really enjoying the change.