Cranberry Margarita
The cranberry margarita recipe makes a festive, red drink with a lovely balance of tart and sweet flavors. Adding cranberry juice to the classic tequila cocktail’s usual ingredients gives it a holiday twist.
I’ve enjoyed margaritas ever since I worked at a Mexican restaurant so many years ago. We offered them in a variety flavors, and I used to enjoy rattling off the list to my customers. I definitely had a few favorites.
My all time favorite is the Cadillac margarita, which wasn’t one of the flavors I rattled off at the restaurant, but I had to mention it here because it’s so good. But some other favorites were the raspberry margarita, peach margarita and this one, the cranberry margarita.
The restaurant only served this margarita frozen because they used a cranberry sauce to make it. I prefer mine on the rocks. I love that you can taste the balance of the ingredients to their greatest advantage that way.
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Helpful tips
- I recommend using unsweetened cranberry juice, so you can control how sweet the cocktail is without worrying about what’s already in the juice. I buy mine at Whole Foods.
- If you can’t find unsweetened cranberry juice, cut down the simple syrup to .50 ounce.
- Wash your limes before juicing them. Here’s how: squirt some natural, unscented foaming soap into your hand. Rub the lime between your hands to cover it with soap. Use a vegetable brush to scrub the skin and then run the lime under cold water, making sure all the soap has been washed off.
- You can use any type of tequila, but I prefer to use a tequila blanco like Patron Silver.
- Make your own simple syrup as it saves you money and is so easy. Here’s how: add equal amounts of water and sugar to a saucepan: 1 cup each. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower to a simmer for 5 minutes. Allow the syrup to cool before using it in a cocktail.
- I don’t really think this margarita needs a salted rim, but other people like it so I only salted one glass. Here’s how: Pour just enough kosher salt or a flake salt like Maldon salt to cover the bottom of a small, flat plate. Wet your finger with either lime juice or simple syrup and rub it around the rim of the glass. Take the glass and dip or roll it in the salt so the rim is covered with as much as you like. With the glass still upside down, gently shake it so any loose salt is dislodged. Set the glass upright. Just a note: when you pour the liquid into the glass, don’t let it run over the salt or you’ll have a salty margarita.
- Some people like to add lime wedges to this margarita, but I prefer just cranberries.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Tequila – Check out my guide to tequila for a list of recommended brands by price categories
- Cointreau – or other orange liqueur like triple sec which is a budget conscious choice
- Cranberry juice – unsweetened
- Lime juice – squeezing your own is best
- Simple syrup – I’m a fan of home made
How to make a cranberry margarita
Pre-step
Get out your cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also get your measuring glass and two margarita glasses.
Add 4 cranberries to each martini pick and set aside.
After measuring out the ingredients, add to the cocktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – tequila, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, limes, and simple syrup. (A)
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (B)
Step three
Measure 2 ounces orange liqueur. (C)
Step four
Measure 2 ounces fresh lime juice. (D)
Step five
Measure 6 ounces of red cranberry juice. (E)
Step six
Measure 1 ounce of simple syrup. (F)
Step seven
Cap the cocktail shaker and shake for 15 seconds. Add fresh ice to the glasses. I prefer large cubes like these because they stay frozen longer. Strain and divide the liquid between the glasses.
Garnish each glass with a spear of cranberries.
Let’s take a closer look.
Yum. I hope you enjoy this cranberry margarita recipe as much as I do.
Other margaritas
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Cranberry Margarita
Ingredients
- 4 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces Cointreau (or other orange liqueur like triple sec)
- 6 ounces cranberry juice (unsweetened)
- 2 ounces lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 ounce simple syrup (OR if you can't find unsweetened cranberry juice and have to use sweetened, use only .50 ounces)
Garnish
- 8 cranberries (as garnish)
Instructions
- Get your cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. And spear 4 cranberries on each martini pick.
- Add tequila, Cointreau, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup.4 ounces tequila, 2 ounces Cointreau, 6 ounces cranberry juice, 2 ounces lime juice, 1 ounce simple syrup
- Cap the shaker and shake for 15 seconds.
- Add fresh ice to the glasses. Strain and divide the margarita between the two glasses and add the ice from the shaker as well.
- Add a cranberry filled martini pick to each glass.8 cranberries
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Notes
- The cranberry juice I use is unsweetened and I get it at Whole Foods. I recommend using unsweetened because that way you can control how sweet the cocktail is without worrying about what’s already in the juice.
- If you can’t find unsweetened cranberry juice, cut down the simple syrup to .50 ounce.
- Wash your limes before juicing them. Here’s how: squirt some natural, unscented foaming soap into your hand. I get mine at Whole Foods. Rub the lime between your hands to cover it with soap. Use a vegetable brush to scrub the skin and then run the lime under cold water, making sure all the soap has been washed off.
- Make your own simple syrup as it saves you money and is so easy. Here’s how: add equal amounts of water and sugar to a saucepan. 1 cup each. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower to a simmer for 5 minutes. Allow the syrup cool completely before using it in a cocktail.
- I don’t really think this margarita needs a salted rim, but other people like it so I only salted one glass. Here’s how: Wet your finger with either lime juice or simple syrup and rub it around the rim of the glass. Pour a small amount of either kosher salt or some flake salt like Maldon salt on a small plate. Take the glass and roll it in the salt so the rim is covered as much as you like. With the glass upside down, gently shake it so any loose salt is dislodged. Set the glass upright. Just a note: when you pour the liquid into the glass, don’t let it run over the salt or you’ll have a salty margarita.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
I love the tart and sweet flavors! Will be serving at my Thanksgiving party!
That’s great Lima! I hope you and your guests enjoy it! Cheers.
Can’t wait for the weekend to try this recipe! Love margaritas and cranberries.
Me too, Tavo. Thanks so much :). Cheers.
So festive and pretty for the upcoming holidays. Definitely going to be serving these at a party soon!
Thanks, Jill. I hope you enjoy it when you make it.
So festive for the holidays!
Thanks.
Huge Margarita fan here. Never thought to put cranberry juice in it. Very festive and perfect for the holiday season.
Thanks so much Andrea! This is a favorite of mine! But of course, I love most margaritas. 🙂
Delicious and so festive. I am going to serve them for Thanksgiving. I just love the glasses.
Thanks so much! You’re going to love this margarita. And thanks about the glasses, one is from Crate and Barrel and the other I got at a thrift store (the bowl looking glass).