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My easy Christmas margarita is a festive winter cocktail that’s a must for parties and toasting the holiday season! This margarita has all the classic flavors, but white cranberry juice gives it a wintery twist. The sweet and tart flavors are perfectly balanced and it doesn’t skimp on the tequila!
If you love this white Christmas margarita be sure to try my Pomegranate Margaritas!
When you think of margaritas you probably think of summer and sipping one poolside or at the beach. But when you’re a margarita and tequila enthusiast like I am, you make them and drink them year round.
My Christmas margarita uses seasonal white cranberry juice to give it’s classic flavors a winter vibe. Adding festive garnishes like fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary really drives home that holiday spirit!
I like to make my margaritas tequila forward so I can taste the herbal, citrus, and agave notes in it. Too often when I order a margarita is overly sweetened, but this white cranberry margarita has a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors.
This Christmas margarita is a must try whether you’re making it for yourself or looking for a new cocktail recipe to serve at your holiday gathering. You won’t be disappointed!
Ingredient Notes
Tequila – I like to use blanco tequila, also called silver tequila for making margaritas. It has a pure agave flavor that won’t compete with the other flavors in the cocktail. Lalo tequila is a brand that I use most often.
White cranberry juice – It’s sweet, tart, and what gives this margarita it’s Christmas flavor. Be sure to read the label and make sure it isn’t combined with other fruit. I used Langers because it wasn’t combined with white grape juice.
Lime – Using fresh squeezed lime juice will give the margarita the best lime flavor and tartness. If bottled lime juice is your only option I recommend using Santa Cruz Pure Lime Juice.
Cointreau – Cointreau is an orange liqueur. Triple Sec or Grand Marnier are other options to use. If you want to use fresh squeezed orange juice I suggest trying my skinny margarita.
Salt, fresh cranberries, rosemary – You can do a salt rim or sugar rim for the margarita and while the fresh cranberries and rosemary are optional, they do give the margarita holiday flare!
Tips for Making Christmas Margaritas
- Use good quality tequila. You may think that since this is a mixed cocktail it isn’t important to use good quality alcohol. However, it will affect the flavor of the margarita and how smooth it tastes.
- While I do recommend blanco tequila for this margarita, you can substitute it with reposado. Reposado tequila won’t have as pure of an agave flavor.
- If you don’t have a cocktail shaker a mason jar with a lid works just as well.
- Margaritas can be made 1-2 days ahead of time. Combine all of the ingredients together in a mason jar or other airtight container. Give it a good shake before pouring into a glass.
Substitutions and Variations
- For a sweeter margarita add an extra 1/2 ounce of cointreau, agave syrup, or simple syrup.
- To make a non-alcoholic virgin Christmas margarita substitute the tequila and Cointreau with additional white cranberry juice and lime juice. You could also use a zero proof tequila.
- I love to top off margaritas with a splash of unflavored sparkling water. If you enjoy a little fizz and bubbles give it a try!
More Holiday Cocktails
- Christmas Sangria
- Cranberry Margarita
- Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
- Cranberry Orange Bourbon Cocktail
- Spiced Rum Chai Latte
Christmas Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 ounces white cranberry juice
- 2 ounces tequila blanco (silver) is best, I use Lalo tequila
- 1 ounce Cointreau or other orange liqeur
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- sparkling water for topping off the margarita (optional)
- rosemary sprig and cranberries (optional garnishes)
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker or mason jar, combine all of the ingredients. Shake until well combined.
- Add salt or sugar to the rim of a glass if desired. Fill with ice and pour in the margarita. Top off with sparkling water and garnish with a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this Christmas Margarita, please leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you and do my best to respond to your comments. And if you’re on Instagram tag @reciperunner so I can see your beautiful creations!
I live alone as my husband is in care.
I enjoy trying new ricipes, esp. Chinese, Mexican, one-dish meals that can be frozen for those lazy-days.
Thank you.