christmas margarita cocktail made with cranberry juice on a christmas bar cart
Cocktail Recipes

Easy and Festive Christmas Margarita Recipe

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Inside: Learn how to make a festive Christmas margarita with cranberry, lime, and simple syrup. Perfect for holiday parties or cozy nights in—recipe + tips included!

L et’s face it—December is chaos in a glitter-covered sweater.

Between the shopping, the wrapping, the decorating, and the 17 cookie exchanges you somehow signed up for (seriously, why?), you deserve a drink that screams festive without requiring the mixology skills of a bartender named Chad.

Enter: the Christmas Margarita. It’s merry, bright, and exactly what your holiday happy hour needs.

This isn’t your average summer-on-the-patio marg. Oh no, we’re taking that classic tequila cocktail and giving it a holiday glow-up. Think cranberry, lime, and just enough sparkle to make even your grumpy Uncle Joe say, “Hey, this is good.”

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christmas margarita with cranberry on a christmas bar cart

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What Makes It Christmas-y?

First, we swap out plain ol’ citrus for cranberry juice—a holiday MVP. It’s tart, it’s bold, and it’s as red as Rudolph’s nose (minus the glow). Then, we jazz it up with a touch of triple sec and a simple syrup to balance things out.

Oh, and the garnish? It’s not just a lime wedge this time, my friend. We’re going for cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to make the whole thing look like it came straight out of a Pinterest board called Holiday Aesthetic Goals.

(And if tequila *isn’t* your Christmas vibe, you might be more into an espresso martini holiday style instead.)

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ingredients for a christmas margarita including cranberries, limes, triple sec, and tequila on a bar cart

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • tequila (I highly recommend tequila reposado, but read my full guide on tequila for margaritas)
  • cranberry juice (unsweetened is key for that tart punch)
  • fresh lime juice (the bottled stuff is banned from this party)
  • Cointreau (orange liqueur is non-negotiable here)
  • simple syrup (equal parts sugar & water heated until melted, then cool)
  • ice (because, duh)
  • cranberries and rosemary for garnish (extra points for presentation!)

How to Make It (While Your Kids Watch Elf for the 4th Time)

christmas margarita recipe

Christmas Margarita

Yield: 1 Drink

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz tequila reposado
  • 1.5 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
  • 1 oz Cointreau
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Garnish: cranberries, rosemary sprig

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients except garnish into a cocktail shaker with ice
  2. Shake for 30 seconds
  3. Strain into a lowball glass
  4. Garnish with cranberries on a skewer and a rosemary sprig

Why You’ll Love It

This margarita isn’t just a drink—it’s a vibe. It’s perfect for sipping while you finish wrapping presents (or re-wrapping the ones your toddler ripped open). It’s classy enough for your holiday dinner table but chill enough for a cozy night in your PJs watching Home Alone.

And if anyone asks why you’re drinking tequila in December, just tell them margaritas are timeless. Santa would totally approve.

If you’re planning holiday parties and looking for festive drink options, this easy Christmas margarita recipe is a crowd favorite. Or, try this refreshing pomegranate champagne cocktail for an elegant twist.

Now, go on and make this cocktail. You’ve earned it. Cheers to a holiday season filled with love, laughter, and just enough tequila to keep things merry. 🎅🍹

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cranberry christmas margarita garnished with rosemary on a christmas bar cart

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I'm Stefanie—Founder & Writer for Revel & Delight

I believe the secret to hosting exceptional gatherings, from lively celebrations to cozy get-togethers, is thoughtfulness and a little bit of prep. Craft the right atmosphere, attitude, then then sit back and savor the moment you've made.

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