Spiced Cranberry Tequila Margarita Cocktail
This festive margarita blends tart cranberry juice, tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime, warming spices, and a hint of sweetness. Perfect for parties or cozy nights in—garnish with cranberries, cinnamon, or orange zest for a holiday-ready finish.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or shot glass
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Cocktail glass
- Small plate for rimming
- Measuring spoons
- Citrus juicer
- Bar spoon
- Ice cube tray
- Microplane or small grater
Ingredients
- 2 oz cranberry juice unsweetened preferred
- 2 oz tequila silver or reposado
- 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec orange liqueur
- 1 oz lime juice fresh
- 0.5 oz agave nectar or simple syrup adjust to taste
- ground cinnamon 1-2 dashes
- ground ginger or fresh ginger 1 dash or grated
- ground nutmeg pinch, optional
- 0.5 oz orange juice optional, for added sweetness
- turbinado sugar for rimming glass
- ground cinnamon for rimming glass
- lime wedge for garnish
- fresh or frozen cranberries for garnish
- cinnamon stick or orange zest for garnish
- ice cubes
- sparkling water optional, for topping
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Add cranberry juice, tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg (if using).
- Shake well for about 20 seconds, or until the shaker is very cold.
- Strain the cocktail into the glass, over fresh ice or neat.
- Top with a splash of sparkling water if desired.
- Garnish with cranberries, lime wedge, orange zest, or a cinnamon stick.
Notes
For a mocktail, swap tequila for ginger beer or apple cider. Adjust agave or syrup to taste, especially if using sweetened cranberry juice. Garnish options and rim styles are flexible—get creative for your occasion.