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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.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, absolutely. Obviously skip the three liquors (tequila, orange liqueur and prosecco). Use sparkling water in place of all of them.
How to Make this into a Batch Cocktail
I love batch cocktails for entertaining. Here is the recipe for a batch cocktail (this would
3/4 cup cane sugar
3/4 cup water
Juice from 6 limes (about 3/4 cup)
1 1/2 cup cranberry juice (i like pure cranberry)
8 ounces tequila blanco
6 ounces orange liqueur
More Festive Cocktails To Make
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Cranberry Margarita
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cane sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Juice from 4 limes, (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 cup cranberry juice, (i like pure cranberry)
- 4 ounces tequila blanco
- 2 ounces orange liqueur
- Splash of Prosecco or Cava
Instructions
- In small saucepan, set over medium heat, combine the cane sugar and water. Warm over medium heat until sugar has dissolved.
- To a shaker, add the simple syrup, lime juice, cranberry juice, tequila blanco, orange liqueur. Shake vigorously and divide amongst four glasses filled with ice. Add a splash of Prosecco or Cava to each glass.
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.
This looks amazing! Can I switch out the tequila with vodka?
absolutely!