Mistletoe Margarita
Create a gorgeous holiday cocktail with this mistletoe margarita recipe combining classic margarita ingredients with something special. Decorated with rosemary and cranberries, it looks both delicious and very seasonal.
What’s your cocktail of choice? And by that I mean, one you will get either at a restaurant or make at home? I have two: margaritas and martinis or as I like to say, the two “M’s.”
What I adore about the martini is the taste. My go-to is the dirty vodka martini. The brine added with the vodka and touch of vermouth is just exquisite.
And what I like about the margarita is not only the lip smacking taste but the melding of all the ingredients. It makes for a refreshing and delicious drink.
The basics of a margarita
Margaritas are usually made with the same base ingredients: tequila, lime juice, sweetener like simple syrup or agave syrup, and an orange flavored liqueur.
What makes each margarita unique is what you ADD to the above ingredients, for instance, fruits like peaches, cherries, and pineapple. These margaritas are usually served frozen. Or by adding juices like red cranberry, apple cider, blood orange, pomegranate, and this margarita which adds white cranberry juice.
These delightful mistletoe margaritas are refreshing, pretty, delicious, and guaranteed to be a huge hit when you serve them at your holiday party.
This is the perfect holiday margarita recipe, and I can’t wait for you to try it.
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Want to learn more about tequila? Read my complete guide here.
Helpful
Tips
- Medium portobello mushrooms are ideal because they are easier to stuff, but aim to get mushrooms that are all of a similar size so they cook evenly.
- If you want to make a meal out of this recipe, use larger mushrooms.
- If you need a low-carb option, either leave out the breadcrumbs or replace them with the same amount of almond flour.
- I like to use premium crabmeat but use what you can afford. Just make sure to drain it well and pick out any shells.
- This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. Then, place the stuffed mushrooms on the jelly roll pan, cover them with plastic wrap, and place them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them.
- When you’re ready to cook them, remove them from the fridge when you preheat the oven and then dribble on the olive oil just before baking them.
- Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and placed in the fridge for up to a week.
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How to make a mistletoe margarita
Pre-step
Get a cocktail shaker and fill it halfway with ice. Also get a measuring glass and margarita glasses. Here, I’m choosing a classic margarita glass and a double old fashioned glass that I bought at Crate and Barrel.
Place a few cranberries on a martini pick and get two rosemary sprigs ready for the garnish. For these photos, I chose to use only one martini pick, but you can use one for each glass.
You will also put a handful of cranberries in each glass, 6 – 7 per glass.
If you want salt on the rim, do so now. See Helpful Tips.
After measuring out the ingredients, add them to the cocktail shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – tequila, orange liqueur, limes, Grand Marnier, simple syrup, and white cranberry juice.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of tequila. (A)
Step three
Measure 1 ounce of orange liqueur. (B)
Step four
Measure 1 ounce Grand Marnier. (C)
Step five
Measure 4 ounces white cranberry juice. (D)
Step six
Measure 2 ounces of fresh lime juice. (E)
Step seven
Measure 1 ounce of simple syrup. (F)
Step eight
Add fresh ice to the glasses. I like using large cubes. Here’s the tray I use.
Cap the cocktail shaker and shake the mixture for 15 seconds. Strain and divide the margarita between the glasses. If you like, pour the ice from the shaker to the two glasses.
Step nine
Add to each glass a sprig of rosemary and a martini pick with cranberries on it. For fun, I also put a bunch of loose cranberries in the glasses because I love the colors!
Doesn’t that look festive and delicious?
Let’s look at a closer view.
It’s a gorgeous and delicious drink!
I hope you enjoyed this mistletoe margarita recipe!
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!
Mistletoe Margarita
Ingredients
- 4 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
- 1 ounce Grand Marnier (optional – but so good in this cocktail)
- 4 ounces white cranberry juice
- 2 ounces lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 ounce simple syrup
Garnish
- 8 cranberries
- 2 sprigs rosemary
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add tequila, orange liqueur, Grand Marnier, white cranberry juice, lime juice and simple syrup.4 ounces tequila, 1 ounce orange liqueur, 1 ounce Grand Marnier, 4 ounces white cranberry juice, 2 ounces lime juice, 1 ounce simple syrup
- Add fresh ice to the margarita glasses.
- Cap the cocktail shaker and shake for at least 15 seconds. Divide and strain the liquid between the two glasses. You can also divide the ice from the shaker between the two glasses.
- Add the cranberries to the two glasses and put a sprig of rosemary in both glasses.8 cranberries, 2 sprigs rosemary
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Notes
- You may be tempted to switch out the white cranberry juice with the red variety. It won’t be the same cocktail as the cranberries taste different. White cranberries are smoother and less tart tasting.
- I usually use mid-level to premium liquor in my cocktails but I understand that people are budget conscious. My advice is to buy the best you can afford. Try to stay away from really cheap alcohol. Cuervo gold is a good budget friendly tequila.
- I use the orange liqueur, Cointreau. It’s a premium liqueur but you can substitute it with another orange curacao like triple sec.
- Another premium orange-flavored liqueur is Grand Marnier. It is made with cognac, bitter oranges, and sugar. And even though some say you can substitute Cointreau with Grand Marnier, it really isn’t true. They taste different even though they are both orange based. And since Cointreau is in this cocktail already, if you don’t want to buy this liqueur, just omit it.
- Always make your own sweet and sour mix. I prefer a 2:1 ratio, so two parts sour to one part sweet. Start there and if you decide you want it sweeter, add a bit more simple syrup. Remember, you can always add more but you can’t subtract it.
- Simple syrup is so easy to make. Here’s how: Add equal parts (1 cup each) of water and white sugar to a medium saucepan. Heat the ingredients on medium and bring them to a boil. Lower the temperature to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.
- This is a good margarita to salt the rims. Here’s how: Salt the rims of the glasses. Get a small plate and add a chunky salt like kosher or Maldon salt on it. Dip your finger in some simple syrup and rub it over the rims. Dip the rims of the glasses in the salt making sure the rims are covered as much as you want them to be. Make sure to keep the glass upside down and shake the loose salt off the rims. Place the glass right side up. If you see salt in the bottom of the glass, then tip it upside down again and shake it out.
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.
Yes, the holidays are here. We have outside decorated and will be starting the indoor decorations this weekend. This will be perfect.
Thanks Gloria. It’s such a festive time and this margarita will be perfect.
What a beautiful drink! Cranberry everything is my favorite this time of year. Can’t wait to try this!
Thanks so much Lauren! It’s one of our favorite holiday cocktails.
I love how Christmas-ish this drink looks! Excited to give it a try this holiday season!
Thanks, Liz. I hope you enjoy it when you do try it.
I love the holiday season and this mistletoe margarita is a perfect way to welcome the festive season
Thanks so much Linda! 🙂
Not only does this taste wonderful, it also look very festive as the perfect addition to a holiday gathering.
I’m so glad to hear that Mikayla! Thanks for letting me know!
Oooh, what a pretty holiday cocktail! Can’t wait to make this for my Christmas party.
I hope you enjoy it when you do, Brianna! Cheers.
I’m all about the holiday season and this drink is PERFECT for entertaining! It’s absolutely gorgeous and definitely on the menu for our holiday parties!
Yay Lori! Thanks so much and yes, it’s such a great cocktail to share at the holidays!
Wow, I love the look of this drink, it looks really refreshing and has an icy look! This is perfect for the season. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to try this out!
I hope you enjoy it Ramona when you do!! Thanks for your comment.
The white cranberry juice is perfect for this drink! It’s great for the holidays so adding this to my list this year!
I’m so glad to hear that Jamie! Enjoy, cheers!!
What a festive cocktail! I gave this drink a try this past weekend, you know, to test drive it 😉 And I absolutely loved it. It’s so refreshing and elegant, sweet with the perfect zesty touch. The decorative cranberries are a really beautiful serving touch. I will be making this margarita over and over again this holiday season!
Thanks so much, Marie! I appreciate you letting me know. I love a beautiful AND delicious cocktail! And I love when other people appreciate it too.
Hi, where do you buy white cranberry juice at?? I looked on the apps for my local vons, sprouts and target. They don’t carry it. Will BevMo have it?? Thank you, I hope to be able to make it!
I actually had to get it at Walmart. I don’t know the store BevMo. I hope you can get it. If you need too, you can use regular cranberry but it’s so much better with the white version. Good luck Briana!
Is there a recipe for this that can be made in large batches? Thank you!
Yes, Lisa. It’s perfect in a pitcher. On the recipe card – in the serving section, you can adjust how many servings you’d like. I’m sorry I hadn’t seen this for a week! Good luck!
Looks delicious, would this be good to make a large pitcher of for holiday party?
Definitely, Marci. There is a servings section on the recipe card where you can adjust the servings. I hope you enjoy it!