Cranberry Margarita Recipe
This cranberry margarita recipe is a perfect holiday cocktail with sweet, tart, and tangy flavors from the cranberry, lime, and orange juices mixed with tequila and triple sec. I love that you can easily switch in your favorite juice, skip the salted rim, or try different types of tequila to make it your own.
Thanksgiving is around the corner, so I wanted to share this cranberry margarita recipe for your holiday bar table for the adults in your family and friend group. When I host, I enjoy making a mix of cocktails and mocktails so everyone has something fun to sip, from my cranberry mocktail that is great for kids to my festive champagne cocktail that has become a favorite among my friends.
Table of contents
Same as my other margarita recipes on my blog (you can search them in the top right corner by typing “margarita“), this cranberry margarita is very easy to prepare and does not require long hours in the kitchen the way holiday cooking and baking often do. That is exactly what I enjoy about drink recipes, they stay simple and quick. I mix the key ingredients like tequila, orange juice, sugar, and a few basics, shake everything together, and the drink is ready. You can also turn it into a mocktail by skipping the alcohol, and it still tastes wonderful. I hope you enjoy it this holiday season.
Why you will love this recipe
- A holiday drink that tastes festive: I love this cranberry margarita because the mix of cranberry, lime juice, orange juice, and tequila makes a bright and lively drink for my holiday gatherings.
- A quick shake and you are done: I make this drink in minutes by adding the cranberry juice, tequila, triple sec, citrus, and simple syrup to my cocktail shaker with a handful of ice. A good shake chills everything fast and gives me a cold glass that is perfect for a busy night of hosting.
- Easy to adjust for anyone: I enjoy how simple it is to change this drink to match what my guests like by adding more cranberry for color, a splash of extra citrus, or a salt rim for a classic margarita taste.
- Perfect for big gatherings: I often mix a full pitcher using the same ingredients when I have holiday guests coming through the door. The ruby color, the sweet tart taste, and a simple garnish of lime or fresh cranberries help the drink stand out on the table and make entertaining easier for me.
What you will need
- Cranberry juice: I use 100% unsweetened cranberry juice for the best tart flavor. If I only find sweetened juice, I cut the simple syrup in half.
- Orange juice: I choose unsweetened orange juice when I can because it keeps the drink bright. If my juice is sweetened, I use only a small amount of simple syrup.
- Tequila Blanco: I usually go for tequila Blanco, but tequila reposado also works well.
- Cointreau: I like using Cointreau because it has a clean citrus taste.
- Simple syrup: I make simple syrup with sugar and water. I adjust the amount depending on how sweet I want the drink.
- Fresh lime juice: I squeeze fresh lime juice when I want more tang.
- Kosher salt: I use kosher salt on the rim when I want a classic margarita touch.
- Ice: I add plenty of ice to make the margarita cold and refreshing.
- Garnish: I decorate my glass with fresh cranberries, lime wedges, lemon wedges, or rosemary sprigs.
How to make
Prep the glass: I cut a lime wedge and run it around the rim of my glass to moisten it. Then I dip the rim into a plate of kosher salt or margarita salt if I want a salt edge.
Shake it up: I add ice and all the ingredients to my cocktail shaker, then shake it well until the mixture is cold and blended.
Pour it in: I use a strainer to pour the cold mixture into my prepared glass. Then I add fresh ice, add any garnish I want, and serve it right away.
Expert tip
Shake until ice cold
I always shake the margarita longer than I think I need to because this helps the ice chill the mix deeply and softens the edges of the tequila. When the shaker feels very cold in my hands, I know the drink will pour smooth, bright, and perfectly balanced.
More tips to consider:
- I use store bought lime juice and maple syrup on busy days. Fresh juice tastes stronger, but both choices work depending on my schedule.
- I chill my glass in the freezer for a few minutes before making the drink because it keeps the margarita colder for longer.
- I add a little extra cranberry juice when I want a brighter color or a softer flavor.
- I taste the mix before pouring and adjust the lime juice or simple syrup depending on how tart or sweet I want it.
- I use good quality tequila because it makes a big difference in the final taste of the margarita.
- I keep extra lime wedges nearby for anyone who wants a fresher citrus taste in their glass.
Recipe variations and add-ins:
- Christmas version: I add 1 ounce of peppermint schnapps and garnish the glass with a small candy cane. This creates a fun holiday twist that pairs well with the cranberry flavor.
- Add bubbles: I top the drink with 2 ounces of soda water or club soda when I want a lighter and crisp finish. It keeps the margarita bright and refreshing.
- Mix it up: I replace 1 ounce of tequila with vodka, rum, gin, or bourbon when I want a different style of cranberry cocktail.
- Make it a cosmo: I mix 1 ounce of lime juice, 1 ounce of cranberry juice, 1 ounce of triple sec, and 1 ounce of citron vodka for a simple cosmopolitan version.
- Try it tropical: I add 2 ounces of grapefruit juice for a gentle tropical twist. It blends smoothly with the cranberry and makes the drink sunny and fresh.
Serving suggestions:
Here is how I picture my bar setup for this year during the holidays. I plan to place this cranberry margarita next to my homemade apple cider so both kids and adults who do not drink alcohol have something warm and comforting.
For the adults, I will also serve my Snowflake Martini so guests can pick between something bright or something creamy. I love setting a small corner of the bar for colorful drinks, so I will add my blueberry margarita for anyone who enjoys berry cocktails. These drinks together make a fun mix for guests and help the holiday table look festive and inviting.
How to store leftovers:
- Store: I keep any leftover cranberry margarita in a covered pitcher in the fridge for about 24 to 48 hours.
- Freeze: I cannot freeze the drink in the usual way because of the tequila, but I do turn it into a fun slushy. I pour it into a freezer safe container or a freezer bag and let it freeze overnight, then scoop it into a glass the next day.
Frequently asked questions
Cloudiness usually means the drink was shaken with enough ice to chill it well, and that is not a bad thing. I shake until the shaker feels really cold in my hands, and once I strain it into the glass, it settles into a nice smooth mix.
Sometimes the cranberry and lime together taste a bit too tart for me. I add a small splash of orange juice or a touch of simple syrup, and the drink settles into a nicer balance. Easy-peasy!
When my margarita tastes stronger than I expect, I pour in a little extra cranberry juice or a spoon of simple syrup. It softens the sharp edge of the tequila and makes the drink smoother, almost like I blended it with a little extra care.
More cocktails to try:
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Cranberry Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons 100% cranberry juice unsweetened
- 3 tablespoons tequila
- 2 tablespoons Cointreau
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup or maple syrup if you don't have simple syrup on hand
- Kosher salt or flaky sea salt for the rim
- Ice for serving
Garnish:
- lime wedges cranberries, rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Take a lime wedge, make a small incision in the center, and then run the lime around the rim of a glass to wet it.
- After that, dip the edge of the rim into a plate of salt.
- Next, add all of the cocktail ingredients to a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake well until the mixture is refreshingly cold.
- Strain the cranberry margarita into the serving cocktail glasses with the salted rim and fill the glass with ice.
- Garnish with cranberries, lime wedges, and a rosemary sprig. Serve.
- Feel free to double or triple the recipe.
Notes
Shake until ice cold
I always shake the margarita longer than I think I need to because this helps the ice chill the mix deeply and softens the edges of the tequila. When the shaker feels very cold in my hands, I know the drink will pour smooth, bright, and perfectly balanced.More tips to consider:
- I use store bought lime juice and maple syrup on busy days. Fresh juice tastes stronger, but both choices work depending on my schedule.
- I chill my glass in the freezer for a few minutes before making the drink because it keeps the margarita colder for longer.
- I add a little extra cranberry juice when I want a brighter color or a softer flavor.
- I taste the mix before pouring and adjust the lime juice or simple syrup depending on how tart or sweet I want it.
- I use good quality tequila because it makes a big difference in the final taste of the margarita.
- I keep extra lime wedges nearby for anyone who wants a fresher citrus taste in their glass.