Our 4-ingredient cranberry margarita is the perfect festive twist on the classic margarita. Stylish, fruity, and refreshing, this deep red cocktail is one of our favorite Christmas cocktails.
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Why you’ll love this cranberry margarita
- If you love cranberry juice, then this is the cocktail for you, the tequila blends perfectly with the unsweetened cranberry juice.
- With its festive look, this is a stylish classy cranberry margarita cocktail, that will look and taste fantastic at any Christmas party.
- With just 4 ingredients, this easy cranberry cocktail can be made in just 5 minutes.
What’s in a cranberry margarita?
The classic margarita is one of the most famous cocktails in the world.
Invented in the 1930s, it’s made from just 3 ingredients; tequila, triple sec or Cointreau (orange liqueur) and freshly squeezed lime juice.
A cranberry margarita has all of the classic ingredients, but we add unsweetened cranberry juice and it tastes delicious.
A cranberry margarita recipe that’s a festive fruity twist on the classic cocktail, made in 5 minutes and full of style, we love to drink it on Christmas eve, when the festive spirit is running high!
What tequila should I use?
We use silver tequila in our cranberry margaritas, and we tend to choose middle shelf tequila.
It’s not essential to use top quality tequila as you’re not sipping it, you’re mixing it.
Try to avoid budget brands, but don’t break the bank, just buy the best tequila you can afford and that you enjoy drinking.
What glass should I serve it in?
We served our cranberry margarita in a martini glass because we think it gives the maximum wow factor.
You could serve yours in a margarita glass or any wide-rimmed glass you have at home.
It’s best to use wide-rimmed cocktail glasses as they make the most of the festive rim.
What should I garnish this drink with?
The sugar salted rim with the orange zest provides you with instant garnish.
Add extra and garnish with fresh cranberries or rosemary sprigs.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes, you can make our easy cranberry margaritas ahead and it’s easy to make a pitcher.
Just follow the instructions and then pour them into a jug and store them in the fridge.
Don’t leave the ice cubes in the mixture as they will melt and dilute your cocktail.
When you’re ready to serve them. stir the ingredients and then pour them into individual glasses.
Recipe tips and notes
- What can I use instead of silver tequila?
You can use reposado tequila or gold tequila, we’ve used silver tequila, but cranberry margaritas work well with golden tequila too. - What’s best to use, triple sec or Cointreau?
Triple sec is less expensive and not as high-quality as Cointreau, the alcohol content varies from as little as 15% up to 40%, whereas Cointreau is a quality smooth orange flavored liqueur, it’s more expensive and is 40%. So, choose the best for you. - Not sure if you will like the salty sweet rim?
It is delicious and looks amazing, but if you’re uncertain, then why not on apply to half of your glass? This way you can taste the difference it makes. - Missing a cocktail shaker?
Just use a mason jar with a lid, follow the recipe instructions, secure the lid and shake, this will do just fine as a temporary option.
How to make a cranberry margarita – step by step instructions
First, you must make your sugar, salted rim.
On a flat plate, scatter caster sugar, fine sea salt, and the zest of an orange.
Now, using an artist’s paintbrush, carefully paint clear honey around the rim of your cocktail glass.
Then turn your glass upside down and place it in the mixture and carefully swirl it around until the rim is evenly coated and set aside.
In a cocktail shaker add ice cubes, silver tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec.
Then add cranberry juice, secure the lid of your cocktail shaker, and shake vigorously for approximately 20 seconds.
Using a Hawthorne strainer, pour your cranberry margarita into your cocktail glass.
Serve your festive cocktail and enjoy!
Other easy margarita recipes for you to try
Classic margarita – perfect in its simplicity and topped with classic lime wedges, everyone should make this at least once!
Passion fruit margarita – full of passion fruit flavor, an ideal refreshing summer cocktail.
Watermelon margarita – we love watermelon, so were really pleased to perfectly transform it into a margarita recipe!
Lemon margarita – if you love fresh lemon juice then you’re going to love our lemon margarita!
Frozen strawberry margarita – perfect to cool down with on a hot summer’s day and so easy to make!
We hope you enjoy making our cranberry margarita recipe and would love to hear how you got on with it, so please leave a comment or ask a question.
FESTIVE CRANBERRY MARGARITA
Ingredients
For the rim
- 1 tbsp Clear honey
- 1 tbsp Caster sugar
- 1 tbsp Fine sea salt
- Orange zest
For the cocktail
- Ice cubes
- 50 ml Tequila
- 12½ ml Lime juice
- 12½ ml Triple sec
- 75 ml Cranberry juice
Instructions
For the rim
- First, you must make your sugar, salted rim. On a flat plate, scatter caster sugar, fine sea salt, and the zest of an orange. Now, using an artist's paintbrush, carefully paint clear honey around the rim of your cocktail glass. Then turn your glass upside down and place it in the mixture and carefully swirl it around until the rim is evenly coated and set aside1 tbsp Clear honey, 1 tbsp Caster sugar, Orange zest, 1 tbsp Fine sea salt
For the cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker add ice cubes, silver tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple secIce cubes, 50 ml Tequila, 12½ ml Lime juice, 12½ ml Triple sec
- Then add cranberry juice, secure the lid of your cocktail shaker, and shake vigorously for approximately 20 seconds. Using a Hawthorne strainer, pour your cranberry margarita into your cocktail glass75 ml Cranberry juice
- Serve your festive cocktail and enjoy!
Notes
- What can I use instead of silver tequila?
You can use reposado tequila or gold tequila, we’ve used silver tequila, but cranberry margaritas work well with golden tequila too - What’s best to use, triple sec or Cointreau?
Triple sec is less expensive and not as high-quality as Cointreau, the alcohol content varies from as little as 15% up to 40%, whereas Cointreau is a quality smooth orange-flavored liqueur, it’s more expensive and is 40%. So, choose the best for you - Not sure if you will like the salty-sweet rim?
It is delicious and looks amazing, but if you’re uncertain, then why not apply to half of your glass? This way you can taste the difference it makes - Missing a cocktail shaker?
Just use a mason jar with a lid, follow the recipe instructions, secure the lid, and shake, this will do just fine as a temporary option
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
Learn how to make a cranberry margarita with step-by-step photos!
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Eliza says
What a gorgeous, festive margarita recipe! Now I know what we’re having by the Christmas tree tonight – perfect timing. Happy holidays to you both, and thanks for another winning recipe from Splash of Taste!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
It was so delicious! Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Andrea says
Big fan of margaritas. This festive cranberry one is right up my alley! mmmm!
Genevieve says
This is perfect for Christmas! you can never go wrong with a delicious margarita.
Teodora Grujic says
Looks amazing! My guests will be delighted! Thanks for this great idea!