Christmas Margarita

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 11/21/22
Tested by Joan Velush
Christmas margarita

The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
210 Calories
1g Fat
22g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 210
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 43mg 213%
Calcium 52mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 160mg 3%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Bring the refreshing taste of a margarita into your holiday celebrations. This recipe for a Christmas margarita offers a little seasonal flair against a comforting tropical backdrop. It's easy to mix up and a lot of fun to share with friends.

The base of a classic margarita remains untouched: you'll combine a good silver tequila with your favorite orange liqueur and fresh lime juice. White cranberry juice adds a semi-sweet, fruity touch and coconut milk gives it a tropical twist that's still perfect for winter. Adding the cinnamon sugar rim and the rosemary, cranberry, and lime garnishes enhance its festive appeal and flavor.

“This is a special holiday drink for margarita lovers. The Christmas Margarita is made with the usual tequila but veers off the classic path by using orange liqueur and a little coconut milk to make things festive. Rimming the glass with cinnamon sugar is both beautiful and delicious.” —Joan Velush

Christmas Margarita/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • Lime wedge, for garnish

  • Cinnamon sugar, for rimming, optional

  • 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila

  • 1 1/2 ounce white cranberry juice

  • 1 ounce coconut milk

  • 1/2 ounce orange liqueur

  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

  • Cranberries, for garnish

  • Rosemary sprig, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make a Christmas margarita

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  2. Rim an old-fashioned glass with cinnamon sugar: Begin by wiping a lime wedge around the edge of the glass to wet the rim, then roll it in a shallow dish of cinnamon sugar.

    A hand rolling the rim of an old fashioned glass in cinnamon sugar

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  3. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the tequila, white cranberry juice, coconut milk, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Shake well.

    A hand shaking a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge, a few cranberries, and a sprig of rosemary. Serve and enjoy.

    Pouring the mixed margarita into a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Tips

  • Cartons of coconut milk can easily be found in most grocer's dairy section because it's a popular alternative to dairy milk. It's made to drink straight and lower in fat than the canned variety. Vanilla-flavored coconut milk is particularly delicious in this cocktail.
  • For a richer taste, you can use canned coconut milk. Since it separates in the can, give it a good shake before you open it.
  • To make cinnamon sugar, simply combine 1 part ground cinnamon and 3 parts white sugar until you get an even color.
  • This margarita works well with either a premium triple sec such as Cointreau or a brandy-based orange liqueur like Grand Marnier.
  • If you can't find fresh cranberries for the garnish, look in the grocer's freezer section. When you do spot the fresh fruits, flash freeze them, then transfer them to a plastic freezer bag and keep them frozen for future use.

Recipe Variations

  • Serve the margarita up in a cocktail glass if you prefer. Just make sure the glass is well-chilled unless you add ice.
  • This margarita is also a great blended cocktail. Simply add all of the ingredients to the blender with 1 cup of ice (about 5 or 6 average cubes) and blend until smooth.
  • Try this margarita with reposado tequila. The slight aging will add a warm, oaky background to the drink.

How Strong Is a White Christmas Margarita?

This recipe is one of the lighter shaken margaritas. On average, it should mix up to an alcohol content around 17 percent ABV (34 proof), or slightly stronger than a glass of wine.