By: Becky Hardin
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Give your tastebuds a treat with a delicious Cranberry Margarita! This sweet and tangy pitcher co*cktail is simple to make from scratch and is sure to get the party started!
![Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2) Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry-margaritas-recipe-4-edited.jpg)
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Cranberry Margarita Recipe
This fun twist on a classic margarita is zesty, salty, and with just a little bit of heat. It’s delicious when served cold.
- Tart. Cranberry and lemon juice make this co*cktail mouth-puckeringly delicious.
- Tasty. With notes of honey, ginger, and citrus, this margarita is more than meets the eye.
- Versatile. The simple syrup mixture comes together in just 10 minutes and can be used in this recipe and many others.
Variations on a Cranberry Margarita Pitcher
For a sweeter margarita, use cranberry juice co*cktail or swap out half of the cranberry juice for apple juice. To amp up the orange flavor, you could swap half of the cranberry juice for freshly squeezed orange juice, or try pomegranate juice! For a spicy margarita, try adding a few slices of jalapeño, and for a herbaceous margarita, add some fresh rosemary or basil.
![Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3) Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cranberry-margaritas-recipe-edited.jpg)
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How to Store
This cranberry margarita recipe is a great make-ahead pitcher co*cktail. Make the whole drink in the pitcher, but omit the ice. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap and it will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days.
The simple syrup will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Simply let cool and transfer it to a resealable container.
Serving Suggestions
No margarita is complete without a salt rim, it works so well with the tangy flavors from the cranberry and lemon juice. Rub a lemon wedge around each glass’s top, then dip into salt. I also like to finish it with a sprig of mint for some color and freshness.
I love these festive margaritas with Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas ham, cranberry meatballs, or orange cranberry pork loin.
Is tequila good with cranberry juice?
Yes! I know it may sound surprising, but the subtle sweetness of tequila perfectly balances tart cranberry juice. A cranberry margarita is the perfect co*cktail for your next holiday party.
What kind of cranberry juice do bars use?
Bars typically use 100% cranberry juice because it allows them to control the sweetness with things like simple syrup. I recommend this as well, since we’re using a delicious homemade simple syrup in this recipe.
Are Triple Sec and Cointreau the same thing?
Cointreau is a brand of Triple Sec, so technically yes. Cointreau is a trusted brand from France and their Orange Liqueur is delicious! I find some Triple Sec has a bitter or fake taste, but not Cointreau.
![Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5) Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cranberry-margaritas-recipe-8-800x1200.jpg)
More Margarita Recipes To Try
- Apple Cider Margaritas
- Frozen Strawberry Margarita
- Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita
- Frozen Watermelon Margarita
- Try all of our Best Margarita Recipes!
Recipe
Cranberry Margarita Recipe
4.66 from 20 votes
Author: Becky Hardin
Prep: 5 minutes minutes
Cook: 10 minutes minutes
Total: 15 minutes minutes
Serves8 cups
Print Rate
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This pitcher co*cktail is so easy to make and bursting with vibrant and fresh flavors.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients
For the Cranberry Margaritas
- ⅓ cup honey ginger simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 4½ cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1½ cups tequila
- ½ cup Cointreau
- 1 lemon sliced
- Ice
For the Honey Lemon Ginger Simple Syrup
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 2 lemon peels around 2 inches each
- 1 inch fresh ginger
Instructions
For the Cranberry Margaritas
In a pitcher stir together the simple syrup, cranberry juice and lemon juice. Add the tequila and cointreau and stir to incorporate. Add the lemon slices and fill with ice.
⅓ cup honey ginger simple syrup, 4½ cups cranberry juice, 1 cup lemon juice, 1½ cups tequila, ½ cup Cointreau, Ice, 1 lemon
To assemble each margarita. Rub the glass rim with lemon and dip into salt. Once the glasses are rimmed fill with the margarita and decorate with lemon wedges and mint sprigs.
For the Simple Syrup
In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together the honey, water, lemon peels and ginger.
½ cup honey, 2 lemon peels, 1 inch fresh ginger, 1 cup water
Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
Discard the lemon peel and the ginger and let it cool down completely before using it.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
Yield:This recipe yields 8 co*cktails. A serving is approx. 1 cup (8 ounces).
- Don’t add ice to your pitcher until you are ready to serve the co*cktail. Adding ice too early will dilute the drink. Alternatively, you can pour the co*cktail over ice.
- I like to make these cranberry margaritas with Cointreau for a stronger orange flavor, but you can use triple sec if that’s what you have.
- Let the simple syrup cool completely before adding it to the other ingredients.
Storage:Store your cranberry margarita pitcher (without ice) covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store the simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 246kcal (12%) Carbohydrates: 31g (10%) Protein: 1g (2%) Fat: 0.3g Saturated Fat: 0.05g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g Sodium: 6mg Potassium: 162mg (5%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 29g (32%) Vitamin A: 68IU (1%) Vitamin C: 30mg (36%) Calcium: 17mg (2%) Iron: 0.5mg (3%)
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How to Make Cranberry Margaritas Step by Step
Make the Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan set over low heat, stir together ½ cup of honey, 1 cup of water, 2 lemon peels, and 1 inch of fresh ginger. Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Discard the lemon peel and the ginger and let it cool down completely before using it.
![Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14) Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/how-to-cranberry-margaritas-recipe-2-e1698858836714-1200x800.jpg)
Make the Margaritas: In a pitcher, stir together ⅓ cup of the simple syrup, 4½ cups of cranberry juice, and 1 cup of lemon juice. Add 1½ cups of tequila and ½ cup of Cointreau and stir to incorporate. Add 1 sliced lemon and fill with ice.
![Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15) Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/how-to-cranberry-margaritas-recipe-6-e1698859014105.jpg)
Serve the Drinks: To assemble each margarita. Rub the glass rim with lemon and dip into salt. Once the glasses are rimmed fill with the margarita and decorate with lemon wedges and mint sprigs.
![Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16) Cranberry Margarita Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16)](https://i0.wp.com/www.thecookierookie.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cranberry-margaritas-recipe-6-e1698859159643.jpg)
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