Holiday Margarita Pitcher Cocktail Recipe

Honestly, I love whipping up holiday cocktails when friends and family swing by. Something about festive drinks—like this holiday margarita recipe—just makes the season feel a little more special, and it doesn’t even take much effort.

If you’re after a simple, fun drink that everyone can actually enjoy, you’ll probably want to try this easy holiday margarita pitcher cocktail recipe.

This one’s great for Christmas parties, winter hangouts, or pretty much any celebration where a Christmas cocktail or a wintery margarita would add to the vibe. I really like that you can make the whole pitcher ahead of time, and you can totally stick with classic flavors or branch out—think white Christmas margarita, coconut margarita, cranberry margarita, or even a mistletoe margarita.

Whether you’ve got a crowd coming over or just want a holiday drink with dinner, this margarita recipe keeps things super easy. Why not bring a little holiday spirit to your next get-together?

Holiday Margarita Pitcher Cocktail Recipe

Making a holiday margarita pitcher is kind of my go-to for festive gatherings. It’s easy, looks gorgeous, and honestly, who doesn’t love sharing a pitcher with friends or family?

Fresh flavors are key here, plus a few fun touches—like cranberries and rosemary—to make it look as good as it tastes.

Equipment

• Large pitcher (at least 2 quarts; clear pitchers look best if you want to show it off)
• Long stirring spoon
• Citrus juicer or reamer for squeezing limes
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small plate or shallow bowl for rimming glasses
• Cocktail shaker (optional; good for small batches or if you like it frothy)
• Glasses (stemless wine glasses or classic margarita glasses work well)
• Ice bucket or tray
• Fine mesh strainer (if you’re not into pulp)

Ingredients

• 2 cups silver or blanco tequila (or go with reposado if you’re into a warmer flavor)
• 1 cup Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or triple sec (just use your favorite orange liqueur)
• 1 & 1/4 cups fresh lime juice (usually about 7–8 limes, depending on size)
• 1 cup cranberry juice (white cranberry juice if you want a lighter color)
• 1/2 cup simple syrup or agave nectar (add more or less—totally up to you)
• 1/2 cup coconut water or coconut milk (for a creamy twist, go with coconut milk)
• Fresh cranberries and frozen cranberries (for garnish and keeping things chilled)
• Rosemary sprigs (garnish, plus they just look festive)
• Cinnamon sticks (optional, but a nice touch for flavor and looks)
• Sugar and lime zest (for rimming the glasses)
• Extra lime wedges (for garnish or rimming)

Instructions

• Pour the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and coconut water (or coconut milk) into your big pitcher.
• Stir it all together with your long spoon until it’s mixed up nicely.
• Grab a lime wedge and run it around the rim of each glass. Dip the rim into the sugar and lime zest mixture to get that sweet, zesty edge.
• Fill the glasses with ice, or if you’re feeling fancy, toss in some frozen cranberries instead so your drink doesn’t get watered down.
• Pour the margarita mix from the pitcher into each glass.
• Garnish with a few cranberries—fresh or frozen—a rosemary sprig, and maybe a cinnamon stick if you’re into that.
• Serve right away for the freshest flavor, or stash the pitcher in the fridge for up to two hours if you want to prep ahead.

Notes

I always use fresh lime juice—bottled just doesn’t taste the same. If you’re not a fan of sweet drinks, start with less simple syrup and add more if you think it needs it.

Sometimes I’ll swap in white cranberry juice for a lighter, almost snowy look. Coconut water keeps things light and hydrating, but coconut milk gives it a creamy, holiday vibe.

Leftover margaritas? No problem—just pop them in the fridge for a day. Just remember to take out the rosemary or lime slices or they’ll start to take over the flavor. If you want to make drinks one at a time, you can shake the ingredients with ice and strain into rimmed glasses.

The sugar lime rim really adds a nice texture and a pop of brightness. Honestly, don’t skip it if you want to impress your guests.

Tasting Notes

Whenever I take a sip of this Holiday Margarita, the first thing that hits me is how crisp and refreshing it is. That fresh lime juice? It pops right away, giving a tart kick that really wakes up my taste buds.

The orange liqueur brings in just enough sweetness. It’s not cloying or anything—just enough to mellow out the sharpness of the lime. There’s a gentle hint of agave syrup in there too, which smooths things over at the end.

Tequila adds a subtle warmth, but honestly, it’s not trying to steal the spotlight. Instead, it kind of hangs out in the background, letting the citrus do its thing.

Sometimes I’ll throw in a few cranberries or a slice of lime as a garnish. It looks festive and adds a little extra aroma, which is always nice.

Every time I mix up this margarita, I get that mix of tart, sweet, and those bright, vibrant flavors.

Here’s a quick list of what stands out most:

• Lime’s sharp tang
• Soft, sweet orange notes
• Subtle hint of tequila warmth
• Light and cool finish