Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase.
This Cranberry Margarita will bring joy to any festive party or gathering. It’s tart, bright and hits the spot with tequila, cointreau and a salted rim. Make this as a batch cocktail or small batch for an easy, refreshing libation.
I love a good cocktail around the holidays and the best part about this cocktail is that it uses fresh cranberries (as the garnish), which you may have lying around if you made my Cranberry Sauce or these Cranberry Gin and Tonics.
Good news is that you can use frozen cranberries too!
Ingredients You’ll Need for This Cranberry Margarita
- Cane sugar – When it comes to cocktails, I like using cane sugar. I think it tastes better. But feel free to use white granulated sugar, if that’s what you have.
- Tequila blanco – I like blanco for this cocktail but if you have reposado, use that!
- Cranberry juice – I’m using unsweetened cranberry juice for this drink. It has a nice tart flavor.
- Lime juice – This accentuates the cranberry flavor and salted rim.
- Orange liqueur – An absolute must in margaritas. I like using Cointreau.
- Prosecco – You could also use cava or sparkling water. I like a bit of bubbles – it’s festive!
For the full list of ingredients, please see the recipe card below!
How to Make a Cranberry Margarita
- Make the simple syrup – This couldn’t be easier. Just combine the water and sugar together and cook until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the salt to the glasses – Dip the edges of the glass in the salt and lime zest mixture.
- Assemble the ingredients in the shaker – You want to add the simple syrup, tequila, orange liqueur and cranberry juice. Shake it up vigorously! And then pour it into the glass and top with prosecco!
Variations
- Use a different type of juice – I know this is a cranberry margarita but these ratios will work with tangerine juice, orange juice or grapefruit juice. Will they be called a cranberry margarita? Obviously not lol.
- Add a bit of sugar to the rim – If you want a salty/sweet combo on the rim of the glass, add a teaspoon of sugar to the salt and lime zest mixture.
- What to do with leftover cranberry juice? I like to use it in my Sleepy Girl Mocktail in place of cherry juice.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, absolutely. Obviously skip the three liquors (tequila, orange liqueur and prosecco). Use sparkling water in place of all of them.
What to Serve with these Cocktails
Dinner
Pot Roast
Dinner
Acorn Squash Soup
Salads
Fall Harvest Salad
Fall Recipes
Brown Butter Apple Crisp
If you tried this Cranberry Margarita Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Cranberry Margarita
Equipment
- 1 large pitcher
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
Batch Cocktail:
- 1 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, (from about 10 limes)
- 1 3/4 cups cranberry juice, (I like pure cranberry juice)
- 12 ounces tequila blanco
- 10 ounces orange liqueur
- Splash of Prosecco or Cava
Single Cocktail:
- 2 tablespoons simple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
- 2 ounces tequila blanco
- 1 ounce orange liqueur
Instructions
To Make Simple Syrup:
- In small saucepan, set over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Warm over medium heat until sugar has dissolved.
To Make the Batch Cocktail:
- In.a large pitcher, combine the simple syrup, lime juice, cranberry juice, tequila blanco, orange liqueur. Mix it up and transfer it to the fridge to chill for at least two hours.
- Pour into glasses over ice and top with a splash of Prosecco or Cava.
To Make a Single Cocktail:
- To a shaker, add the simple syrup, lime juice, cranberry juice, tequila blanco, orange liqueur. Shake vigorously and divide pour into a glass over ice. Add a splash of Prosecco or Cava.
Notes
- Use a different type of juice – I know this is a cranberry margarita but these ratios will work with tangerine juice, orange juice or grapefruit juice. Will they be called a cranberry margarita? Obviously not lol.
- Add a bit of sugar to the rim – If you want a salty/sweet combo on the rim of the glass, add a teaspoon of sugar to the salt and lime zest mixture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So easy and delicious!
This drink is holiday perfection. Iโm a huge margarita girl and this totally hits the spot! Iโve done several variations due to what I have on hand (lemons, oranges, tangerine, a little tart cherry juice once ๐ ) and every variant has been top notch. Salt/sugar the rim takes it to the next level. Very versatile and excellent recipe! Did for Thanksgiving and doing for two different groups for Xmas!
sounds delicious with the tart cherries! love to hear it!
Made a pitcher of this for thanksgiving and it was a huge hit! Festive take on a margarita
Question for you – in the batch cocktail area, the note cuts off and it doesn’t say the total serving size. Can you tell me how much the batch cocktails are suppose to serve? Thank you!
This looks amazing! Can I switch out the tequila with vodka?
absolutely!