This Holiday Cranberry Margarita recipe mixes tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and fresh lime for a tart, jewel-toned twist on a classic margarita. It’s the perfect Christmas or Thanksgiving cocktail when you want something festive that still tastes like a proper marg.
If you’ve ever wondered what goes in a cranberry margarita, this version keeps the core ingredients simple: good blanco tequila, real cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice, with the option to add a touch of sweetness. Serve it in a salt or sugar-rimmed glass with fresh cranberries and a lime wheel for instant holiday vibes.
Holiday Cranberry Margarita Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila (100% agave)
- 2 oz cranberry juice (100% juice or cranberry cocktail)
- 1 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau, triple sec, or similar)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup or agave nectar (optional, to taste)
Garnish
- Fresh cranberries
- Lime wheel or wedge
- Small rosemary sprig (optional, for a Christmas look)
- Coarse salt or sugar for the rim
Bar Tools
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Strainer
- Rocks glass or margarita glass
How to Make a Holiday Cranberry Margarita
- Prep the glass.
Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Dip the rim into a shallow plate of coarse salt or sugar (or a mix of both) until evenly coated. Fill the glass with ice and set aside. - Add ingredients to the shaker.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup or agave (if using). - Shake until chilled.
Seal the shaker and shake hard for 15–20 seconds, until the outside feels very cold and the drink is well mixed and slightly frothy. - Strain into your prepared glass.
Strain the cranberry margarita into the ice-filled, rimmed glass. If you prefer it “up,” you can strain into a chilled coupe or margarita glass without ice. - Garnish and serve.
Garnish with fresh cranberries, a lime wheel, and a small rosemary sprig if you like. Serve immediately while it’s cold and bright.
Bartender Tips for the Best Cranberry Margarita
- Use quality tequila. A smooth blanco tequila (100% agave) keeps the drink clean and bright instead of harsh.
- Choose your cranberry juice. 100% cranberry juice gives a more tart, “grown-up” flavor; cranberry cocktail makes the drink a bit sweeter and softer.
- Balance sweet and sour. Start without sweetener and add simple syrup or agave in small amounts until it hits your perfect balance.
- Salt or sugar rim? Salt leans classic margarita; sugar pushes the cocktail in a more dessert-y, holiday direction.
Holiday Cranberry Margarita Variations
- Spiced Cranberry Margarita: Add a dash of cinnamon or a cinnamon stick to the shaker, or use spiced simple syrup.
- Frozen Cranberry Margarita: Blend the ingredients with a cup of ice until slushy, then pour into a sugar-rimmed glass.
- Rosé Cranberry Margarita: Top the finished drink with a splash of dry rosé or sparkling rosé for extra color and bubbles.
- Smoky Cranberry Margarita: Swap some or all of the blanco tequila for mezcal to add a smoky note that pairs well with cranberry.
- Cranberry Margarita Mocktail: Skip the tequila and orange liqueur; use cranberry juice, lime juice, a little orange juice, and top with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
How to Batch Cranberry Margaritas for a Crowd
Cranberry Margaritas are ideal for holiday parties because they scale beautifully. Just remember to add ice and garnishes right before serving.
- Basic batch ratio: 2 parts tequila, 2 parts cranberry juice, 1 part orange liqueur, 1 part lime juice, plus sweetener to taste.
- Pitcher method: Mix tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup in a large pitcher. Chill for at least 1 hour.
- Serve to order: When guests arrive, shake individual portions with ice and strain into rimmed glasses, or pour the chilled mix over ice in each glass.
- Garnish bar: Set out cranberries, lime wedges, and rosemary sprigs so guests can garnish their own margaritas.
Holiday Cranberry Margarita FAQs
What goes in a cranberry margarita?
A classic cranberry margarita includes tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. Many recipes also add a small amount of simple syrup or agave for sweetness. From there, you can garnish with fresh cranberries, a lime wedge, and a salt or sugar rim.
What is the best season for cranberry margaritas?
Cranberry Margaritas work year-round but are especially popular in the fall and winter, when cranberry flavor feels right at home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. The color and garnishes make them a natural fit for holiday cocktail menus.
Which alcohol goes best with cranberry juice?
Cranberry juice pairs well with several spirits, including vodka, rum, gin, and tequila. For a margarita-style cocktail, tequila is the best match, especially when combined with lime and orange liqueur. Vodka is great for simple highballs, while rum creates more tropical cranberry drinks.
Do cranberry juice and tequila go together?
Yes—cranberry juice and tequila are a great pairing. The tart cranberry cuts through tequila’s bite and makes a bright, balanced cocktail. Add lime juice and orange liqueur and you’ve got a classic cranberry margarita. You can also mix tequila and cranberry juice on their own over ice for a quick two-ingredient drink.
Can I use cranberry cocktail instead of 100% cranberry juice?
You can use either. 100% cranberry juice will be more tart and may need a bit more sweetener, while cranberry cocktail is sweeter and may not need any added simple syrup or agave at all. Taste and adjust as you go.
Can I make Holiday Cranberry Margaritas ahead of time?
Yes. Mix the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and sweetener together in a pitcher up to 24 hours in advance and keep chilled. Shake with ice and pour to order, or pour the chilled mix over fresh ice. Rim glasses and add garnishes just before serving.
More Christmas Margarita & Tequila Cocktails
If you love this Holiday Cranberry Margarita, try these next:
- Holiday Margarita – a classic Christmas margarita with citrus and festive garnish.
- Cranberry Mimosa – a bubbly brunch favorite with cranberry and sparkling wine.
- White Cranberry Cosmo – a smooth, elegant vodka cocktail with white cranberry juice.
- See all Christmas cocktail recipes for more holiday drink ideas.
Planning a bigger holiday gathering? Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator to figure out how much tequila, cranberry juice, and other mixers you’ll need.
Holiday Cranberry Margarita Video
Our Holiday Cranberry Margarita video will walk you through rimming the glass, shaking, and garnishing so every drink looks party-ready. (Video coming soon – we’ll embed it right here as soon as it’s live.)
Holiday Cranberry Margarita Nutrition (Estimated)
Per 1 margarita (values are approximate and will vary with brands used):
- Calories: 190
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Sugar: 17 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Fat: 0 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
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