Whenever I’m craving a cocktail that’s fresh but not the same old thing, I’ll whip up a Snowflake Margarita. It’s basically a margarita, but with this crisp, frosty vibe that just hits differently in winter—or really, whenever you want something a bit more refreshing.
A Snowflake Margarita is cool and citrusy, with a light, icy finish that’s honestly a nice change from the usual margarita.
What I love about it? It’s really simple—just a handful of ingredients, nothing fancy. You don’t need any wild equipment either.
It comes together fast, and honestly, it looks as good as it tastes. The flavor is tart from the lime, smooth from the tequila, and there’s this snowy touch that makes it kind of fun for parties.
I’ll walk you through exactly how I make it, step by step. I’ll also run through what you need and what the drink actually tastes like, so you know what you’re getting into.
Snowflake Margarita Cocktail Recipe
This cocktail hits a nice balance: bright citrus, smooth tequila, and just a hint of spice. It’s crisp and refreshing, but there’s a little warmth from the cinnamon that sets it apart from a regular margarita.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Fine mesh strainer
- Citrus juicer
- Bar spoon
- Rocks glass or coupe glass
- Small plate for rimming salt or sugar
- Ice cubes
Honestly, a solid shaker makes the biggest difference. It chills everything down super quick and mixes the flavors really well.
A fine strainer is nice to have too, since it keeps out pulp and ice bits so the drink stays smooth.
Chilling your glass before you pour makes the cocktail taste even fresher. I usually just fill my glass with ice water while I mix, then dump it out right before I strain.
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz Cointreau or other orange liqueur
- ½ oz agave syrup or simple syrup
- ¼ oz cinnamon syrup
- Ice cubes
- Salt or sugar for rimming glass
- Lime wheel or twist for garnish
I’m partial to blanco tequila because it’s got that clean, crisp flavor that just works with citrus. And honestly, fresh lime juice is worth the extra effort—bottled juice just isn’t the same.
The combo of agave and cinnamon syrup brings in sweetness and a little warmth. Sometimes I’ll rim the glass with sugar instead of salt if I’m in the mood for a softer finish.
Instructions
- Rim your glass with lime juice, then dip it in salt or sugar.
- Fill your shaker with ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, agave syrup, and cinnamon syrup.
- Shake hard for about 15–20 seconds until everything’s nice and cold.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer into your prepared glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or a twist.
I shake it pretty hard—really helps mix the syrups with the citrus and tequila. Always use fresh ice in the glass so the drink doesn’t get watered down.
Usually, I’ll go for a lime wheel as garnish, but if I have a nice piece of peel, a twist works too and smells amazing.
Notes
I tend to adjust the sweetness by playing with the amount of agave syrup. If I want it drier, I’ll just use a quarter ounce.
For more cinnamon, I’ll add a few extra drops of syrup, but I try not to overdo it because I don’t want it to drown out the lime.
If I’m out of Cointreau, I’ll use another orange liqueur, though I really wouldn’t skip it—it balances the whole drink.
Honestly, the quality of tequila matters here. A good blanco makes it clean and bright, but a rough one can make the whole thing taste kind of harsh.
Equipment
- Small plate for rimming salt or sugar
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz Cointreau or orange liqueur
- 0.5 oz agave syrup or simple syrup
- 0.25 oz cinnamon syrup
- ice cubes
- salt or sugar for rimming glass
- lime wheel or twist for garnish
Instructions
- Rim your glass with lime juice, then dip in salt or sugar.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add tequila, lime juice, Cointreau, agave syrup, and cinnamon syrup.
- Shake hard for 15–20 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or twist. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tasting Notes
When I take that first sip, the balance of sweet and tart jumps out at me. The lime brings this crisp freshness, but there’s just enough sweetness to round it off.
That salted rim? It gives a subtle savory kick, making every sip feel a bit more complete. I really like how that saltiness plays against the cool, smooth texture underneath.
The tequila’s definitely present—I can taste it right away—but it doesn’t bulldoze the other flavors. It sort of weaves in with the citrus and sweetness, staying clean and steady in the background.
There’s a lightness to the drink on my tongue, almost creamy thanks to the ice. Honestly, that smoothness makes it the kind of thing I want to sip slowly.
The aroma’s worth mentioning too. Fresh lime hits first, giving the whole thing a lift, and then there’s this gentle warmth from the tequila lingering behind.
Flavor highlights I pick up:
- Citrus brightness from lime
- Gentle sweetness for balance
- Salty edge from the rim
- Clean tequila base that ties it together

