Description
A festive, tart, and perfectly balanced margarita that combines cranberry brightness and seasonal spices—perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz tequila blanco (or reposado for warmth)
- 3/4 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau preferred)
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
- 1 oz cranberry syrup or 1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice with 1/2 oz agave syrup
- 1/4 oz simple syrup (optional; adjust to taste)
- Ice
- Lime wheel, sugared cranberries, and rosemary sprig for garnish
- Coarse sugar or kosher salt + lime zest for the rim
Instructions
- Make cranberry syrup: Combine cranberries, water, sugar, and optional cinnamon or orange zest in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer, crushing berries with a spoon. Cook 6–8 minutes until softened. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and cool.
- Rim the glass: Moisten the rim with a lime wedge and dip in sugar or salt mixed with lime zest. Chill the glass briefly.
- In a shaker, add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, cranberry syrup, and simple syrup if using. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds.
- Double-strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice (rocks) or neat in a chilled coupe.
- Garnish with sugared cranberries and a rosemary sprig.
Notes
Do not use actual mistletoe as garnish; it is toxic. Use rosemary or other safe alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Mistletoe Margarita, holiday cocktail, cranberry margarita, Christmas drinks, festive cocktails