This Mistletoe Margarita recipe is sure to be one of your favorite margarita recipes! With reposado tequila, fresh lime juice, and a spiced cranberry agave syrup, this Christmas margarita recipe will be a huge hit at the holiday party! Try this merry Christmas Margarita for all your holiday celebrations! And if you want more ideas like this cranberry margarita for your holiday gatherings, try my 50 Vegan Desserts for Christmas, my Oat Milk Eggnog, and my 45 Best Cookies for Cookie Exchange Swaps!
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Easy Mistletoe Margarita
Just in time for the start of the holiday season, this cranberry mistletoe margarita is so simple to make and it's sure to get you in the holiday spirit! I love Christmas cocktails, and I can't wait to make this for upcoming holiday parties and or just to wind down on a weekend amid the bustle of holiday time. If you're a fan of margaritas or tequila, you'll love this cranberry Christmas margarita any time of year! It's full of amazing holiday flavors, and so delicious!
What is a Mistletoe Margarita?
I'm not sure who first originated the term "mistletoe margarita" but it's a recipe that many cocktail and recipe creators have added their spin to. In general, they're usually traditional margarita recipes with the addition of cranberry juice. So while a typical margarita contains tequila, triple sec or orange liqueur, and lime juice, a "mistletoe margarita" adds cranberry juice as well to bring a little holiday flavor!
What is the difference between a Tommy margarita and a classic margarita?
My version is influenced by my brother Tony's cocktail knowledge, of course. He suggested I create a riff off of the classic Tommy's Margarita recipe, created by Julio Bermejo in the early 1990s at Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco. The Tommy's and classic margarita recipes are similar, but the Tommy's version replaces the orange liqueur with agave syrup, creating a smoother, sweeter drink that's so delicious.
To add my twist to it, I decided to use fresh cranberries, orange peel, and whole spices to the agave syrup, infusing it with Christmas goodness and lots of amazing flavor! The result is a deliciously festive Christmas margarita recipe that's simple to make and SO good!
Easy Mistletoe Margarita Ingredients
- tequila - the original Tommy's recipe calls for tequila that is 100% agave, so make sure you get the good stuff. I also suggest you opt for tequila reposado, which is tequila that is aged 2-12 months in oak barrels. It's more flavorful and smoother than tequila blanco, and perfect in this easy Mistletoe Margarita! As far as tequila brands, I like Altos Reposado, Espolón Tequila Reposado, or Casamigos Reposado. To skip the alcohol, you can try replacing the tequila in this recipe with Ritual Zero-Proof Tequila alternative!
- fresh lime juice - depending on how many of these you're making, you may want to use a citrus juicer for your limes, or at least a handheld citrus squeezer!
- fresh cranberries - I love using whole cranberries for this cranberry mistletoe margarita! It provides a great cranberry flavor and they look beautiful as a garnish too! You can use frozen cranberries as well, or see below for a variation to make a White Christmas Margarita with white cranberry juice!
- agave nectar - this is the key ingredient in the Tommy's margarita recipe! Using agave nectar brings out the agave flavor in the tequila, and makes your mistletoe margarita smoother and sweeter. We'll be creating an agave simple syrup with our agave nectar and some delicious holiday flavors!
- orange peel - cranberry and orange are a perfect combination, and using a bit of orange peel gives this merry mistletoe margarita a hint of that traditional margarita flavor!
- cinnamon stick - to infuse the agave nectar in these cranberry margaritas with that bold cinnamon flavor!
- whole cloves - nothing is more christmasy than the combination of cranberry, orange, and cloves!
Equipment
To make your spiced cranberry agave syrup, you'll want to grab a small saucepan and a fine-mesh sieve. Then, for this Christmas mistletoe margarita itself, you'll want a cocktail shaker and some nice Christmas margarita glasses!
White Christmas Margarita Variation
You can turn this Christmas Mistletoe Margarita into a White Christmas Margarita by swapping in ¾ cup white cranberry juice for the fresh cranberries! Then just simmer the syrup mixture a little longer so that the white cranberry juice can reduce by half.
You can also garnish your festive snow margarita with coarse salt or white sanding sugar for an even snowier look!
Can you substitute mezcal for tequila in a margarita?
Absolutely! Give your Christmas margarita recipe a more complex, smoky flavor with your favorite mezcal reposado!
Christmas Frozen Margarita Variation
You can make this delicious mistletoe margarita on the rocks, but if you prefer a frozen treat, try this twist and make a Christmas frozen margarita! Prepare the cocktail as in the recipe card below, but instead of shaking it with ice, try tossing it all in your blender and blending until smooth. It's the perfect way to make this mistletoe margarita recipe even better!
Tips and F.A.Q.
To make this festive cocktail in advance, make the cranberry agave syrup up to 5 days in advance and store in the fridge. Then, on the day of, juice your limes fresh so that they'll have the most bright citrus flavor!
Absolutely! You can multiply the recipe by 6 to make a pitcher (12 servings)! Just use 3 cups of cranberries, 3 cups of agave nectar, 3 cups of water, 3 cinnamon sticks and 6 cloves to make the syrup. Then to make your pitcher of margarita, mix together 3 cups of tequila, 1½ cups of fresh lime juice, and 1½ cups of your cranberry agave syrup. If serving later, store in the fridge and serve within 6 hours. Add ice just before serving!
Sure! You can use an agave-based non-alcoholic tequila alternative like Ritual or Arkay, of just substitute club soda for the tequila!
I include the instructions for sugared cranberries in my Christmas Charcuterie Board post -- they work for both cranberries and rosemary sprigs! Perfect as a garnish for this easy mistletoe margarita! You can also dip the rims of your glasses in some of the extra cranberry agave syrup and then in coarse sugar to make a sugar rim for your easy mistletoe margaritas!
The most popular margarita flavor is the classic lime margarita -- can't go wrong with a classic! I hope that with its lime, cranberry, and spiced orange flavors, this mistletoe margarita recipe will be your new favorite flavor!
You'll love my new Peppermint Espresso Martini and my Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte (Starbucks Copycat)! And check out my list of the best Christmas Gin Cocktails to get the party started!
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
More Holiday Ideas You'll Love!
- Brie and Cranberry Tart
- Quirky Baking Gifts for the Bakers on your List
- Eggnog Bread Pudding with Brown Butter Rum Sauce
- Christmas Charcuterie Board
Equipment you may need
- cocktail shaker
- vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- ½ cup (50 g) cranberries - fresh or frozen
- ½ cup (110 g) agave nectar - light or amber
- ½ cup (118 ml) water
- 2-3 strips orange peel
- 1 cinnamon stick - or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 whole cloves - optional
- 4 oz (113 ml) tequila reposado - ½ cup
- 2 oz (57 ml) lime juice - ¼ cup
- ice
- Cinnamon sticks, cranberries, rosemary sprigs, lime and orange slices - optional; for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Cranberry Agave Syrup
- Add cranberries, water, agave nectar, orange peel, cinnamon stick, and cloves to a small saucepan and stir.½ cup cranberries, ½ cup agave nectar, ½ cup water, 2-3 strips orange peel, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 whole cloves
- Bring to a boil, then turn heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring, about 10-15 minutes or until cranberries have begun to break down.
- Transfer to a heatproof container, pouring through a fine-mesh sieve to strain out solids. Set aside to cool.
Prepare Margaritas
- Add tequila, lime juice, and 2 ounces (¼ cup) of cranberry-agave syrup to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and cover.4 oz tequila reposado, 2 oz lime juice
- Shake 15-30 seconds and then pour into two chilled glasses filled with ice. Garnish as desired, and enjoy!ice, Cinnamon sticks, cranberries, rosemary sprigs, lime and orange slices
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Pin this Christmas mistletoe margarita for later!
Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by Chenée Lewis
Kathleen
This sounds refreshing and delicious. I could drink this year-round.
Chenée Lewis
I've been guilty of making this in the summer and it's so good!
Tara
Oh how fun! I can definitely see this becoming a favorite margarita recipe. Such a gorgeous color!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! It's definitely one of my faves!
Dannii
This was incredible. So lovely and refreshing.
Chenée Lewis
So glad you liked it!
Glenda
Yum! What a delicious holiday treat! I made both the regular version and a non-alcoholic version and both were huge hits. Will be using this recipe again at Christmas time. Thanks!
Chenée Lewis
Wonderful to hear that! Thank you!
Stephanie
This margarita is so festive and tasty, and I love that you put the frozen margarita directions as well. Perfect for a girls' night in while the husbands shop!
Chenée Lewis
Just what I was thinking! 🙂
Gina Abernathy
So pretty and festive! I'm making this for our Christmas Eve party this year.
Chenée Lewis
Yay! Hope they're a hit!
Andrea
I'm a huge fan of Margaritas and this one is calling my name. Love the spiced cranberry in this.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! I love this festive flavor!
Nathan
I usually think of margaritas as warm-weather drinks, but the cranberry flavor takes me right to the holidays! Delicious and super easy.
Chenée Lewis
Thanks! So glad you like it!
Elgibbens
Going to make this for our Christmas Party of 20! I’m wondering if the agave syrup would be good in a “Christmas” 75. Champagne .. gin? Gins are tricky. Any thoughts on a gun that would go with this? Or another alcohol?
Chenée Lewis
What a fun idea! If I were you, instead of using agave syrup I'd probably just make a simple syrup with granulated sugar and water, along with the other cranberry syrup ingredients, to better fit the flavor of the gin. But otherwise sounds so yummy!
Claire
This is so pretty!
I love how festive it is!! But I made it before the holidays just because 😉
I was looking for a way to use the frozen cranberries from last year, and came across this recipe. DELICIOUS!!!
Chenée Lewis
Yay! So glad you liked it! It's great anytime of year, really!
Heidy
This was a fabulous refreshing tasting recipe that my entire adult family enjoyed. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your other recipes and making them! Have a great day! Happy Holidays!
Heidy
Chenée Lewis
Fantastic! Happy holidays to you too!!
Kayla DiMaggio
This mistletoe margarita is the perfect easy holiday drink! Such a fan!
Chenée Lewis
It's always a hit over here! Glad you like it!
silvia
The cranberry-agave syrup is the bomb! These margaritas are so festive and so refreshing but best of all they wear the colors of the season.
Chenée Lewis
Yes the cranberry-agave syrup is my favorite part! So easy and delicious!
Patricia
I'm in love with this and I haven't even had it yet! I just printed the recipe and plan on making this for an upcoming family gathering this season. I'm so glad there's an easy option to make this non-alcoholic, too! This is awesome - so creative, so festive, and easy to make!
Chenée Lewis
Thanks! I hope it's a hit! And yes the non-alcoholic version is so easy!
Bernice
OH, what fun!! I could have a margarita on any given day so I love you holiday version. It will be on our Christmas menu for sure.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! I'm sure you'll love it!