Cranberry Margarita Recipe – The Cookie Rookie®

Give your taste buds a treat with a delicious Cranberry Margarita. I love this sweet, tangy pitcher cocktail because it comes together in just a few minutes and always gets the party started. The vibrant cranberry flavor, bright citrus, and smooth tequila make it refreshing yet festive—perfect for holidays, girls’ nights, or any time you want a fun, crowd-pleasing drink.

Easy Cranberry Margarita Recipe

I love this fun twist on a classic margarita as it’s zesty, salty, and with just a little bit of heat. Sweet and tangy, this pitcher cocktail is perfect for game day, a family get-together, or a holiday celebration.

Tips for Beginners

• Don’t add ice to the pitcher until just before serving. Adding ice too early will dilute the flavor. Alternatively, you can pour the cocktail over ice.
• I like to use Cointreau for a stronger orange flavor. Use triple sec if that’s what you have, or if you prefer more orange flavor, swap the cranberry juice for orange juice.
• For sweeter margaritas. Use cranberry juice cocktail or swap out half of the cranberry juice for apple juice.
• Make it spicy. Add a few slices of jalapeño peppers to give this cranberry margarita a bit of heat.
• Add fresh herbs. Add fresh rosemary or basil for a pretty garnish.

For the Cranberry Margaritas

For the Honey Lemon Ginger Simple Syrup

For the Cranberry Margaritas

• In a pitcher stir together the simple syrup, cranberry juice, and lemon juice. Add the tequila and cointreau and stir to incorporate. Add the lemon slices and fill with ice.

  ⅓ cup honey ginger simple syrup, 4½ cups cranberry juice, 1 cup lemon juice, 1½ cups tequila, ½ cup Cointreau, ice, 1 lemon

• To assemble each margarita, rub the glass rim with lemon and dip into salt. Once the glasses are rimmed fill with the margarita and decorate with lemon wedges and mint sprigs.

For the Simple Syrup

• In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together the honey, water, lemon peels, and ginger.

  ½ cup honey, 2 lemon peels, 1 inch fresh ginger, 1 cup water

• Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

• Discard the lemon peel and the ginger and let it cool down completely before using it.

Calories: 246kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.05gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.04gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 162mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 68IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

How to Make Cranberry Margaritas Step by Step

Gather the ingredients for the simple syrup.

Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan set over low heat, stir together ½ cup of honey, 1 cup of water, 2 lemon peels, and 1 inch of fresh ginger.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, discard the lemon peel and the ginger, and let cool completely before using it.

Make the margaritas: In a pitcher, stir together ⅓ cup of the simple syrup, 4½ cups of cranberry juice, and 1 cup of lemon juice. Add 1½ cups of tequila and ½ cup of Cointreau and stir to incorporate. Add 1 sliced lemon and fill with ice.

Serve the drinks: Rub the glass rims with lemon and then dip them into salt. Once the glasses are rimmed, fill with the margarita mixture and decorate with lemon wedges and mint sprigs.

How to Store

This cranberry margarita recipe is a great make-ahead pitcher cocktail. Make the whole drink in the pitcher, but omit the ice. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap and it will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days.

The simple syrup will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Simply let cool and transfer it to a resealable container.

Serving Suggestions

I love to serve these festive margaritas with all my traditional holiday meals, like my easy Thanksgiving turkey, or sheet pan Christmas ham, make-ahead cranberry meatballs, or a juicy and festive orange cranberry pork loin.