Cranberry Margarita – The Perfect Holiday Cocktail Recipe

This Cranberry Margarita recipe will become your go-to drink for any holiday party! It’s simple, festive, and delicious.

Looking for a festive holiday cocktail recipe? Look no further than Cranberry Margaritas! This delicious drink is easy to make and perfect for the holiday season.

You’ll probably want to serve them at both Thanksgiving AND Christmas. Let’s take a look at the ingredients you’ll need and how to make this festive spin on a regular margarita.

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

The simple ingredients for this festive cocktail are easy to find!

3 ounces cranberry juice

I recommend using unsweetened cranberry juice for this margarita, not cranberry juice cocktail. The drink will be much sweeter if you use the sweetened juice, so I only recommend it if you like especially sweet cocktails.

1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila

Blanco tequila, also sometimes called silver tequila, is unaged and has the most classic taste for this recipe. A reposado tequila, which has been aged for a few months or up to a year, would also work here. It will give your Cranberry Margarita a smoother finish, but with reposado’s amber color, your drink won’t have the same rich red color. It’s your preference as to which type of tequila you use here. For the best overall drink, though, get the best tequila you can afford!

1 1/2 ounce lime juice

You can’t have a margarita without the lime juice! I recommend using fresh lime juice if at all possible. A good citrus juicer makes it much easier to juice your limes.

1/2 ounce cointreau

Cointreau is an orange liqueur. It adds a nice sweetness and complexity to this cocktail, so I highly recommend using it! Triple sec can also be used, but I much prefer Cointreau.

1/2 ounce agave nectar

Agave nectar is a great all-natural sweetener for cocktails. You can find it in most grocery stores or health food stores. It will give you a more authentic margarita flavor than simple syrup. It’s used in the classic margarita (including my best margarita recipe!) and is needed here to sweeten the tart, unsweetened cranberry juice. It gives the perfect balance of tart and sweet.

Fresh cranberries, sugar, and lime wheels (Optional, for garnish)

I like to add a sugar rim to this Cranberry Margarita and garnish with sugared cranberries. All you have to do to make “sugared cranberries” is rinse fresh cranberries under water and roll them in sugar. So easy and this simple garnish makes the drink look extra festive! The little added sugar also offsets the tart cranberry juice. Add a lime wedge to the rim and you’re all set! If you’d prefer a salted rim, use kosher salt or coarse salt instead of sugar.

How to Make Cranberry Margaritas

Step 1

Combine the ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds until everything is mixed together and chilled.

Step 2

To make a sugar rim, place some sugar on a small flat plate. Rub the rim of your glass with lime juice and then place it in the sugar until the rim is coated. Fill the glass with ice cubes.

Step 3

Strain the mixture from the cocktail shaker into the cocktail glass.

Step 4

To make sugared cranberries for garnish, run a handful of cranberries under water, and then place them in a small bowl. Sprinkle with sugar until they are coated. Put a few in each prepared glass with a lime wheel on the rim and enjoy!

I know you’re going to love this Cranberry Margarita recipe! It’s the perfect cocktail for all your holiday gatherings and will be a huge hit. I can’t wait to hear how you love it! If you try it, please leave a star rating and comment below. Share your photo on Instagram and tag me and I’ll feature you!

I love margaritas–no matter what the variation, they’re always my favorite cocktails. Here’s a list of my favorite margarita recipes–save them so you can try them all!

Simply the Best Margarita Recipe

Spicy Jalapeño Margarita

Skinny Watermelon Margarita

Grapefruit Margarita Recipe

Mango Margarita Recipe

Other drink recipes you may enjoy that would work well as Thanksgiving or Christmas cocktails are this Apple Cider Old Fashioned Cocktail, this Sparkling Apple Cider Cocktail recipe, this Skinny Christmas Punch, or even this Classic Mint Julep Recipe.

Save this recipe for Strawberry Rose Wine Slushies or this Patriotic Sangria Recipe, and this Watermelon Daiquiri with Basil for summer!

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