It’s no secret around here that I’m kind of obsessed with cranberries. Not only do I like cranberry sauce, but I also like spicy cranberry shrimp. I mean, what says “the holidays” like bright, colorful, and tart cranberries? Let me tell you that these easy cranberry margaritas sure do say it loud and proud.
One of the challenges during the holiday season is choosing what cocktails, wine, or beer are served at gatherings. Often, wine and beer are natural choices. No mixing involved, and they can be bought in bulk. Cocktails are a little more challenging since they require mixing and matching. What you really need at your holiday gatherings is an easy and festive cocktail that can be mixed in a pitcher or punch bowl to be enjoyed by the masses. These easy cranberry margaritas are just the ticket.
I made these recently at Thanksgiving to accompany the beer and wine selection. These margaritas were gone in a blink of an eye. The empty pitcher was met with disappointed comments like “aw, the margaritas are gone already?” Not to worry, they took just a few minutes to whip another batch, and all was well again in the world. If you know you’ll need a large amount, this recipe can easily be multiplied using the handy feature in the recipe card below.
These margaritas are also just so naturally pretty and festive. With the bright red cranberries and green limes, it a natural fit for a Christmas party or gathering. I like to garnish with a sprig of rosemary for fun too. Fresh cranberries naturally float in liquid, so if you freeze them in advance, you can actually use them as “ice cubes” without watering down the cocktails. I like to use a combination of ice cubes and frozen cranberries to ensure they stay nice and cold.
I didn’t add any salt to the rims of the glasses, but you certainly could. The margaritas themselves are a little sweet and tart, but if you prefer a sweeter margarita, you could try a sugar rim to balance the tart. I got no complaints with the margaritas as is, but I am all for you doing you.
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PrintCranberry Margarita
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5
- Yield: 6 cocktails 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups cranberry juice
- 1 1/2 cups tequila blanco
- 1/2 cup lime juice (or the juice of about 3 medium-large limes)
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, for garnish
- Additional lime wedges and rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Stir cranberry juice, tequila, and lime juice in a pitcher with ice. Add cranberries and a few lime wedges, which will float for garnish.
- Serve cocktails with a sprig of rosemary and additional lime wedges.
Notes
Tip: freeze cranberries in advance and use as “ice cubes” to keep drinks cold