Christmas Cranberry Margarita
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This Christmas cranberry margarita is perfect for the ho-ho-holidays! It’s cranberries muddled with tequila and a homemade rosemary simple syrup. It’s easy to scale into a pitcher, and it’s ready in just 15 minutes!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, which, as an adult, gets me excited for all the food, fun, and festive drinks. Every holiday deserves a signature cocktail, and this Christmas cranberry margarita is refreshing, crisp, and full of seasonal cheer.
I love a classic lime margarita, but I never get tired of playing with new variations. This festive version is simple to make yet packed with flavor, and it might just be my favorite twist so far. It’s made with fresh or frozen cranberries, tequila, and an easy rosemary simple syrup that adds a subtle, cozy note.
I like that you can prep a few elements ahead of time, so when it’s time to celebrate, all that’s left to do is mix and serve. It’s the perfect drink for Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, and any holiday gathering that calls for something a little special.
Ingredients needed
Here’s what you’ll need for the cranberry margarita:
- White tequila: also called blanco tequila or silver tequila, it’s characterized by its clear appearance. It’s the first spirit produced with distilled agave juice, and is typically not aged like other tequilas.
- Cranberries: fresh or frozen cranberries work equally well.
- Rosemary simple syrup: just the right amount of rosemary flavor makes this holiday cocktail extra Christmassy.
- Lime juice: fresh lime juice is best for that classic margarita tang.
- Salt: for that classic salt rim.
You only need three simple ingredients for the rosemary simple syrup:
- Water: a 2:1 ratio of water to sugar is the standard ratio for simple syrup.
- Sugar: regular granulated sugar will give this syrup a crisp, clear appearance.
- Rosemary: find fresh rosemary at the grocery store or snip some sprigs from your garden.
Make it festive
How to make the sugared cranberries and rosemary
Sugared cranberries and rosemary make a beautiful garnish, and they’re easy to make! Here’s how to make them:
- Dip the cranberries and rosemary into some of the rosemary simple syrup, then shake off any excess. Dip them into sugar, then set them aside to dry on a parchment-lined plate.
How to make festive ice cubes
If you’d like to serve your Christmas cranberry margarita over ice, make it festive! Here’s how:
- Put several cranberries into your ice cube mold and then fill it with water. Once it’s frozen, the cranberries will cling to the ice and look like a Christmas decoration!
Make it a pitcher
This Christmas margarita recipe is easy to scale into a pitcher (aka party) size by using cups instead of ounces. The ratio for a pitcher of Christmas margarita is 2 cups of tequila, 1 cup of cranberries, 1 cup of rosemary simple syrup, and 1 cup of lime juice.
Recipe FAQs
How long do sugared cranberries last?
Sugared cranberries and rosemary can be made a few days in advance. Store them uncovered at room temperature until you’re ready to use them.
How long does the rosemary simple syrup last?
When stored in a sealed jar or container in the fridge, rosemary simple syrup will keep for 1-2 weeks.
Can I prepare the cocktail in advance?
Yes, you can definitely get a head start with this recipe. It’s easy to prepare the simple syrup and the sugared cranberries and rosemary in advance. Just wait to muddle and stir the cocktail ingredients together until right before serving for the best taste.
Can I make this alcohol-free?
We sometimes make ‘margaritas’ for the kids by using water or bubbly water instead of tequila, which makes it taste more like lemonade.
Christmas Cranberry Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
Cranberry Margaritas
- 2 parts white tequila
- 1 part fresh or frozen cranberries (thawed if frozen)
- 1 part rosemary simple syrup (recipe below)
- 1 part lime juice (save one squeezed lime for rimming the glasses)
- Salt for rimming the glasses
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 small stems of rosemary (about ½ ounce)
Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary
- Cranberries (3 per glass)
- Rosemary (1 small twig per glass)
- Rosemary simple syrup
- Granulated sugar
Instructions
Christmas Cranberry Margaritas
- Pour some salt onto a plate. Run a cut lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the rim into the salt then set the glass aside.Salt for rimming the glasses
- Add the tequila and cranberries to a shaker or 1-liter mason jar. Muddle the cranberries until they have broken down and the tequila is pink. Add the simple syrup and lime juice to the shaker then top with ice. Stir until cold then strain into glasses.2 parts white tequila, 1 part fresh or frozen cranberries, 1 part rosemary simple syrup, 1 part lime juice
- Garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary.
Rosemary Simple Syrup
- Bring the water, sugar, and rosemary to a boil in a small pot over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool then strain the rosemary from the syrup. Store the syrup in your fridge for up to 2 weeks.2 cups water, 1 cup granulated sugar, 6 small stems of rosemary
Sugared cranberries and rosemary
- Dip the cranberries and rosemary into some rosemary simple syrup then shake off the excess. Place some sugar in a small bowl then dip the wet cranberries and rosemary into the sugar. Set them aside on a parchment-lined plate to dry.Cranberries, Rosemary, Rosemary simple syrup, Granulated sugar
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
More Christmas cocktails
For more inspiration, check out all of our margarita variations.
Can you muddle tequila with craberries the night before for a large batch?
That would definitely work!
The Christmas Margarita was a hit this year. I substituted 1 part cran-raspberry juice for the cranberries for a slightly easier way to make the festive cocktail.
Will make/serve/drink again!
Is there a reason you specify frozen cranberries? I’ve got some fresh ones that I’d like to use.
Thanks!
We rarely have fresh cranberries on hand. But if you have them, use them! They will work just as well. 🙂
Is there a reason you specify frozen cranberries rather than fresh?
Fresh will work, too. Frozen is easier to find where we live.
Does it not need triple sec?
No, we use the rosemary simple syrup as sweetener instead. 🙂
Do you think you could use lavender syrup? I made a bunch over the summer and I am one who think that rosemary and Lavender are very similar.
I agree … lavender and rosemary are very similar. I think it would work well!
If you’re having a party, you can make them during the day to serve in the evening. I often make a big pitcher this way. Or you can squeeze the juice a day a couple of days ahead and the simple syrup a week ahead. Hope that helps!
Thanks for sharing! How far ahead of time can I make the simple syrup?
At least a week!
They look perfect! What are the measurements of each ingredient to make a standard pitcher? I want to make tomorrow
When making pitchers of margaritas I measure 1 part as 1 cup. So with this recipe, you’ll want 2 cups tequila, 1 cup frozen cranberries, 1 cup rosemary simple syrup, and 1 cup lime juice. You’ll end up with 5 cups of cranberry margaritas. 🙂
Is it fairly easy to make a huge batch of these(like a pitcher or more)? We are having a NYE party and I think I’m going to make this the signature drink.
It’s super easy! I often make big batches of margaritas (this cranberry one and regular lime margarita, too) for parties. You can even pre-mix several big jugs and keep them in your fridge until you’re ready to serve them.
Gorgeous!!
Awww thank you!!
There’s never a wrong time of year for margaritas!!