Easy Christmas Mistletoe Margarita Recipe
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Get into the holiday spirit with a delicious Mistletoe Margarita! This holiday margarita is the only cocktail you’ll want to make this holiday season.
Tis’ the season for delicious Christmas drinks and I have the perfect holiday cocktail recipe for you! Why make a classic margarita when you can make a festive mistletoe margarita? Cranberry juice paired with tequilla, triple sec and lime juice is the perfect combination for this time of year.
The best thing about this coctail is that it’s the perfect drink to make for holiday parties, family gatherings or to sip on while wrapping presents and Christmas movies. And if you’re looking for more margarita recipes, you need to try these pineapple margaritas and this margarita punch.
What is a Mistiletoe Margarita?
A Mistletoe margarita is a fun name for a cranberry margarita. It’s a frozen margarita made with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice. It’s a seasonal twist on the classic margarita recipe. Our version is garnished with a swig of rosemary and sugared cranberries making it the perfect holiday cocktail!
The addition of cranberries and cranberry juice adds a sweet and tart flavor that complement the citrusy flavors in the traditional margarita like lime juice and orange liqueur. The cranberry juice also gives the margarita a beautiful reddish-pink hue, making it pretty and festive.
Why You’ll Love this Mistletoe Margarita Recipe
- Simple Ingredients – The ingredients needed to make these margaritas are easy to find.
- Crowd-Pleasing – The best thing about this drink is you can make one or you can make a few at a time. Perfect for a crowd.
- Always a Huge Hit – These Christmas margaritas are always a huge hit at holiday gatherings!
- Fun and Festive – The red cranberries and rosemary sprigs make this a festive cocktail to enjoy during the holidays.
Mistletoe Margarita Ingredients
- Cranberries – a combination of fresh cranberries and frozen cranberries
- Simple Syrup – added to cranberries to make sugared cranberries
- Sugar– also for the sugared cranberries
- Margarita Salt – to rim the glass.
- Limes – used to adhere the salt to the glass
- Rosemary Sprigs – used to garish the drink
- Cranberry Juice – the most important ingredient for a mistletoe margarita
- Tequila – can’t make a margarita without tequila
- Triple Sec – can substitute with another good-quality orange liquor
- Frozen Limeade Concetrate – found in the frozen section of your grocery store
- Ice Cubes – Adjust the ice amount to achieve the desired thickness.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
To make sugared cranberries, add cranberries and simple syrup to a bowl and let them soak for 10-15 minutes. Add sugar to a small shallow plate and roll cranberries in granulated sugar. You can also add cranberries and sugar to small ziplock bag and toss cranberries untill evenly coated. Set on a baking sheet with parchment paper to dry.
How to Make Easy Mistletoe Margaritas
- First, run a lime wedge along the rim of each glass and dip into the margarita salt.
- In a large blender, add the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, frozen limeade concentrate, simple syrup, and frozen cranberries. Blend until smooth and combined.
- Add the ice and blend until the margarita is smooth and there are no ice chunks.
- Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with sugared cranberries and a sprig of rosemary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of tequila is best for margaritas?
Many people prefer using blanco teguila (silver tequila) for its clean and crisp flavor in margaritas. However, some people prefer reposado tequila or añejo tequila for a different twist.
Can I serve this cranberry cocktail on the rocks instead of blending the ingredients in a blender?
Yes you definitely can! Let limeade concentrate thaw completely. Add ingredients to a large pitcher and serve over ice.
How do I make simple syrup, and why is it used in a frozen margarita?
Simple syrup is made by dissolving equal parts sugar and water. It’s used to sweeten and balance the flavors of the margarita. To make it, heat equal parts water and sugar until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool.
Can I use a pre-made margarita mix for a frozen cranberry margarita?
While you can use a pre-made mix, making your own with fresh ingredients usually results in a more vibrant and flavorful drink.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of a frozen cranberry margarita?
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version by substituting non-alcoholic tequila alternatives and omitting the triple sec. Increase the amount of cranberry juice and lime juice to compensate for the missing liquids.
Can I prepare this festive drink in advance for a party?
Yes, you can prepare a large batch of frozen margaritas in advance and store in the freezer. Blend again just before serving to ensure a slushy consistency.
Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh lime juice?
While fresh lime juice is recommended for the best flavor, you can use bottled lime juice if fresh limes are not available. Just be aware that the flavor may not be as vibrant.
Fun Variations
If you’re looking to change up this recipe a bit, there are a few variations you can try:
- White cranberry juice is a great substitue for the regular cranberry juice in this cocktail recipe and will make a festive White Christmas Margarita.
- Rimming the glass with salt is optional, but it can add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the drink. But if you don’t like a salt rim when drinking margaritas, rim the glass with sugar instead if you prefer a sugar rim wth your margaritas.
- If you don’t have simple syrup and don’t want to make any, there are three substitutes: honey, maple syrup and agave syrup. Add a little less than the recipe calls and add more to taste.
More Delicious Christmas Cocktails
Mistletoe Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
Sugared Cranberries
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Rim/Garnish
- margarita salt
- lime wedge
- rosemary
Margarita
- 3/4 cup silver tequila
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- 1/3 cup triple sec
- 1/2 cup frozen limeade concentrate
- 1/4 cup simple syrup
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh cranberries
- 2 cups ice
Instructions
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
- Add the cranberries and simple syrup to a bowl. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain the syrup and roll each cranberry in granulated sugar. Set on a baking sheet with parchment paper to dry.
Mistletoe Margarita Directions
- Run a lime wedge along the rim of your glasses and dip into the margarita salt. Set aside.
- In a blender, add the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, frozen limeade concentrate, simple syrup, and cranberries. Blend until smooth and combined.
- Add the ice and blend until the margarita is smooth and there are no ice chunks.
- Pour into the prepared glasses and garnish with sugared cranberries and rosemary.