Mistletoe Margarita with Sugared Cranberries

Mistletoe Margarita

A Mistletoe Margarita is a ruby-red cranberry cocktail with tequila, fresh lime, and orange liqueur. Shake it until cold, then strain it over fresh ice in a salted rocks glass. Sugared cranberries and an upright rosemary sprig give this version its distinctive finish.

Cranberry juice varies from sharply tart to quite sweet. Start with the listed agave, then taste and adjust before pouring.

Ingredients for a Mistletoe Margarita

For the sugared cranberries

• 1/4 cup fresh cranberries (25g)
• 1 tablespoon simple syrup
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (25g)

For the cocktail

• 1 1/2 ounces silver (blanco) tequila
• 1 1/2 ounces cranberry juice, preferably unsweetened
• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
• 3/4 ounce triple sec; Cointreau or orange curaçao can be used instead
• 1/4 ounce agave nectar, plus more to taste
• About 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt, for the rim
• 1 lime wedge, for the rim
• About 1 cup ice for shaking, plus 1/2 to 3/4 cup for serving
• 1 small fresh rosemary sprig

How to Make a Mistletoe Margarita

1. Prepare the cranberries: Toss them with the simple syrup until lightly coated but not dripping. Let them become tacky, then roll them in the sugar. Spread them apart on a plate and let dry for about 30 minutes, until the coating looks crystalline and feels dry. This makes more than one drink needs.
2. Salt the glass: Spread the salt on a small plate. Run the lime wedge around only the outside edge of a short rocks glass, then dip that edge lightly into the salt. Keeping the inside clean prevents excess salt from falling into the drink.
3. Add serving ice: Fill the glass with fresh ice, taking care not to disturb the rim.
4. Shake: Add the tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, triple sec, agave, and about 1 cup ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the shaker feels very cold or frosty.
5. Taste and adjust: Strain out a small taste. If the drink is too tart, add agave a few drops at a time; if it is too sweet, add a small squeeze of lime. Shake briefly again after any adjustment. Sweetened cranberry juice may need less agave.
6. Pour and garnish: Strain over the fresh ice. Cluster several dry sugared cranberries on top and tuck the rosemary sprig among them so it stands upright. Serve immediately.

Making a Pitcher Ahead

Multiply the liquid ingredients for the number of drinks needed, then cover and refrigerate the base without ice. An ice-free base can be held for up to 24 hours, though making it closer to serving time helps preserve its flavor. Shake individual portions with ice, or pour the chilled base over fresh ice just before serving. Keep the dried sugared cranberries separate and garnish each glass at serving time.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per cocktail (1 serving), including a modest garnish: 220 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 22g carbohydrates. Approximate nutrition per 100g: 145 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 15g carbohydrates. Values vary with the cranberry juice, orange liqueur, garnish, and amount of ice that melts into the drink.