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Cranberry Orange Margaritas: The Perfect Holiday Cocktail Recipe

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Festive Cranberry Orange Margaritas are perfect for the holidays! Made with homemade cranberry orange syrup, tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, these margaritas are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 orange peel (about 2–3 inches long, avoid the white pith)
  • 2 ounces tequila (blanco or reposado)
  • 1 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounce cranberry orange syrup (recipe above)
  • Orange slices and fresh cranberries, for garnish
  • Coarse salt or sugar, for rimming the glasses (optional)
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries, water, granulated sugar, and orange peel. Make sure the orange peel is just the zest, avoiding the white pith underneath.
  2. Bring to a Boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and the syrup has thickened slightly.
  4. Strain the Syrup: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool slightly. Then, strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a heat-proof container or jar.
  5. Cool Completely: Let the syrup cool completely before using it in your margaritas. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
  6. Prepare the Glasses (Optional): If you want to rim your glasses with salt or sugar, pour some coarse salt or sugar onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge or orange wedge around the rim of each glass to moisten it. Then, gently dip the rim of the glass into the salt or sugar, rotating it to coat evenly.
  7. Combine Ingredients in a Shaker: In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and cranberry orange syrup.
  8. Add Ice: Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
  9. Shake Well: Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
  10. Strain into Glasses: Fill your prepared glasses with ice. Then, strain the margarita mixture into the glasses.
  11. Garnish: Garnish each margarita with an orange slice and a few fresh cranberries.
  12. Serve Immediately: Serve your cranberry orange margaritas immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Make it Spicy: Add a slice of jalapeño to the cocktail shaker for a spicy kick.
  • Use Different Tequila: Experiment with different types of tequila to find your favorite flavor profile. Añejo tequila will add a richer, more complex flavor to the margarita.
  • Add a Splash of Cranberry Juice: For a more intense cranberry flavor, add a splash of cranberry juice to the margarita.
  • Make it a Mocktail: Omit the tequila and orange liqueur for a delicious cranberry orange mocktail. You can add a splash of sparkling water or club soda for some fizz.
  • Frozen Margarita: Blend all the ingredients with ice in a blender for a frozen margarita.
  • Adjust Sweetness: Adjust the amount of cranberry orange syrup to your liking. If you prefer a less sweet margarita, use less syrup. If you prefer a sweeter margarita, use more syrup.
  • Rim with Sugar and Spice: Combine sugar with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, festive rim.
  • Making Ahead: The cranberry orange syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. You can also pre-mix the margarita ingredients (tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and syrup) in a pitcher and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. Just add ice and shake or stir before serving.
  • Troubleshooting:
    • Too Sweet: Add more lime juice.
    • Too Tart: Add more cranberry orange syrup.
    • Not Strong Enough: Add more tequila.
    • Too Watery: Use enough ice when shaking and less ice in the glasses.

Find it online: https://anasrecipes.com/cranberry-orange-margaritas/