Christmas Cranberry Margarita
Cranberry juice and fresh lime give these tequila margaritas a tart, vivid-red base, while orange liqueur and a little agave round out the flavor. Shake the drinks with ice, then strain them into coupe glasses so they stay cold without ice in the glass.
A white sugar rim, whole cranberries, and a small rosemary sprig finish each drink. Start with less agave and taste after shaking: cranberry juice products vary in sweetness, and the rim adds sweetness with each sip.
Ingredients for Christmas Cranberry Margaritas
- 4 ounces blanco tequila
- 3 ounces unsweetened cranberry juice
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces triple sec or Cointreau
- 1/2 to 1 ounce agave nectar, to taste
- About 1 cup ice, for shaking
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for the rims
- 1 lime wedge, for the rims
- 4 to 6 fresh cranberries, for garnish
- 2 small fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
How to Make Christmas Cranberry Margaritas
- Rim the glasses: Spread the sugar on a small plate. Lightly run the lime wedge around the outside edge of two stemmed coupe glasses, then dip the edges in the sugar. Set the glasses aside carefully.
- Shake: Add the tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, 1/2 ounce agave, and ice to a cocktail shaker with room for the ingredients to move. Shake firmly for 10 to 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
- Taste and adjust: Taste a small amount of the chilled drink. Add more agave if it is too tart, or a small squeeze of lime if it is too sweet. Shake briefly again after any adjustment.
- Strain and garnish: Strain evenly into the prepared glasses, leaving the shaker ice behind. Add 2 or 3 whole cranberries and a small rosemary sprig to each glass. Serve promptly.
How to Adjust the Sweetness
Unsweetened cranberry juice gives you the most control over the tart-sweet balance. If using sweetened cranberry juice cocktail instead, start with less agave or omit it, then taste the drink after shaking. Add sweetener gradually; the sugar rim will also sweeten each sip.
How to Keep the Sugar Rim Distinct
Moisten only the outside edge of each glass with a light swipe of lime. Too much juice makes the sugar patchy or causes it to dissolve. Rim the glasses shortly before serving, and avoid brushing the sugar when you pour.
Make-Ahead and Pitcher Notes
To prepare the drinks ahead, combine the liquid ingredients in a covered pitcher or container and refrigerate without ice. Shake or stir each serving with ice just before straining it into a freshly rimmed glass. Add the cranberries and rosemary at serving time.
Keep any unserved liquid base covered in the refrigerator and store unused garnishes separately. A specific storage window for this mixture is not established.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per cocktail, based on 2 servings and the midpoint of the agave range: 320 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 42g carbohydrates. Per 100g: about 155 calories, 0g protein, 0g fat, and 20g carbohydrates. Values vary with the orange liqueur, agave amount, and how much sugar stays on the rim.
Christmas Cranberry Margarita
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Cocktail strainer
- Small plate
- Coupe glasses
Ingredients
For the Margaritas
- 4 ounces blanco tequila
- 3 ounces unsweetened cranberry juice
- 2 ounces fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces triple sec or Cointreau
- 1/2 to 1 ounce agave nectar, to taste
- About 1 cup ice, for shaking
For the Rims and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 lime wedge
- 4 to 6 fresh cranberries
- 2 small fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Spread the sugar on a small plate.
- Lightly run the lime wedge around the outside edge of two coupe glasses, then dip the edges in the sugar. Set the glasses aside.
- Add the tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, 1/2 ounce agave, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake firmly for 10 to 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels very cold.
- Taste a small amount. Add more agave if too tart, or a small squeeze of lime if too sweet, then shake briefly again.
- Strain evenly into the prepared glasses, leaving the ice in the shaker.
- Garnish each drink with 2 or 3 cranberries and a small rosemary sprig. Serve promptly.
Tips
- Start with 1/2 ounce of agave and add more only after tasting.
- Use unsweetened cranberry juice for the most control over sweetness.
- Moisten only the outside edge of each glass so the sugar rim stays distinct.
- Rim the glasses shortly before serving and avoid brushing the sugar while pouring.
- Shake with ice, then strain so the drinks stay cold without ice in the glasses.
Variations
- Cranberry Juice Cocktail: Use sweetened cranberry juice cocktail instead of unsweetened juice; start with less agave or omit it, then taste and adjust.