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–+ servings
Two margaritas next to a bowl of limes and cranberries.

Cranberry Mistletoe Margaritas Recipe

Melissa
This easy recipe is the perfect big batch Christmas cocktail to serve at your next holiday party. With only 3 ingredients, you can make these cranberry margaritas ahead, so you’re not stuck playing bartender at any of your holiday gatherings!
4.80 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Cocktails
Cuisine Holiday Cocktails
Servings 6 cocktails

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups cranberry juice cocktail
  • 1 ½ cups blanco tequila
  • ½ cup lime juice
  • ½ cup fresh whole cranberries for garnish or "ice", optional
  • Additional lime wedges and rosemary sprigs for garnish, optional
  • Salt or sugar for rims optional

Instructions
 

  • Optional pre-step: add the fresh whole cranberries in the freezer and freeze until very firm and frosty.
  • Add the cranberry juice cocktail, tequila, and lime juice to a pitcher that can hold at least 52 ounces (12 cups or about ½ gallon) comfortably. Stir well. Add the ice or frozen cranberries to the pitcher if serving immediately. If not, chill in fridge and add ice or cranberries just prior to serving.
  • Serve cocktails with salt rims and additional lime wedges, fresh cranberries, and sprigs of rosemary.

Notes

Tips & Variations:
If you like sweeter margaritas or you are using 100% cranberry juice, you can try a sugared rim to balance the tartness. Tajin would also be an excellent choice or you could go for a sugar salt mixture.
Feel free to add triple sec (my fav is Cointreau) or Grand Marnier. I'd recommend adding about ½ – ¾ cup, and you can adjust per your taste. This margarita recipe is more in line with a style of margarita called "Tommy's Margarita", which does not use any type or orange liqueur.
If you want a sweeter cocktail, add a touch of simple syrup or agave nectar. If you want a more tart cocktail, add more lime juice. 
For a smoky flavor, swap half or all of the tequila for mezcal to make a Cranberry Mezcalita.
For a frozen margarita spin, blend the batch with several handfuls of ice cubes in a large blender.
CLICK TO DISPLAY NUTRITION INFO

Nutrition

Calories: 235kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.03gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 24IUVitamin C: 77mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.2mg
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