Rosemary Cranberry Margarita Cocktail Recipe

I’m always looking for ways to shake up the classic margarita, and honestly, this rosemary cranberry margarita might be my favorite twist yet. The tartness of cranberry mixed with that piney, earthy rosemary—there’s just something about it that feels both fresh and kinda festive.

Here’s how I make a cocktail that looks way fancier than it actually is, but it’s still easy and, more importantly, tastes balanced.

Sometimes I just get bored of the regular lime margarita, you know? Cranberry juice fixes that. It brings this bold color and a crisp flavor that just works with tequila somehow.

Rosemary as a garnish? It’s not just for show. The aroma hits you before you even take a sip, and it really does make the drink feel special.

This cocktail is great for a cozy night in or when a few friends pop by. The steps are straightforward, and the ingredients—well, you probably have most of them already.

Rosemary Cranberry Margarita Cocktail Recipe

There’s a reason I keep coming back to this one. Tart cranberry, smooth tequila, and that rosemary aroma—each part just fits. The sweet, sour, and herbal notes make it stand out from your usual margarita.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker – I use this because it chills the drink fast.
• Jigger or measuring tool – Helps me not over-pour (which, okay, happens sometimes).
• Strainer – Keeps out ice shards and rosemary bits.
• Muddler or spoon – For pressing the rosemary and getting all those oils out.
• Citrus juicer – Fresh lime juice is always better, trust me.
• Rocks glass or margarita glass – I like a short glass with plenty of ice.
• Small plate – For rimming the glass with salt or sugar, if I’m feeling fancy.

I don’t get too fussy with tools, but having these basics around makes mixing drinks a lot less stressful.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila (blanco is my go-to)
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau both work)
• 2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
• ½ oz simple syrup (taste and see if you want more)
• 1-2 fresh rosemary sprigs
• Ice cubes
• Optional: coarse salt or sugar for the rim

Unsweetened cranberry juice keeps things tart and not syrupy. Fresh lime juice really does make a difference—bottled just isn’t the same.

Instructions

• Lightly muddle a rosemary sprig in your shaker to wake up the aroma.
• Pour in the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and simple syrup.
• Add ice, then shake it up for about 15 seconds—just enough to chill it down.
• Strain into a glass with fresh ice.
• Top with a rosemary sprig and maybe a lime wedge.
• If you’re into it, rim the glass with salt or sugar before you pour.

I try not to overshake—don’t want a watered-down cocktail.

Notes

Unsweetened cranberry juice really gives the drink a crisp tartness, which I love with the rosemary. If you’re more into sweet drinks, just up the simple syrup a bit.

Fresh rosemary is key here; the dried stuff just doesn’t cut it. Muddling releases those oils and makes the flavor pop.

Sometimes I’ll add a splash of soda water to lighten things up. It’s still refreshing, just a little less boozy.

If I’m making a few of these, I prep the rosemary and squeeze the lime juice ahead of time. Makes everything smoother when you’re ready to mix.

Tasting Notes

That first sip—wow, it really hit with a crisp mix of tart cranberry and bright lime. The rosemary brought in this gentle herbal note, just enough to keep things feeling fresh without going overboard.

Tequila showed up with a smooth, mellow warmth. It blended with the fruit, never stealing the show, but you could still catch its personality in every sip.

Honestly, I loved how the rosemary aroma greeted me before I even tasted anything. That little detail made the whole cocktail seem a bit more layered, maybe even a touch mysterious.

The sweetness? It stayed pretty light, which I appreciated. No heaviness here—just something refreshing you could actually sip for a while.

For me, the way the tart, herbal, and citrus flavors came together just worked. Nothing felt out of place or too bold, and every ingredient seemed to play nicely with the others.