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Looking for some holiday cheer in a cocktail glass? Meet this stunning Christmas Margaritas recipe! Featuring tart cranberries, vibrant pomegranate, zest lime, a splash of orange liqueur, the right amount of tequila, and a sugared cranberry garnish, this dazzling ruby-red holiday margarita drink is the perfect blend of festive, merry, and magical.

“The perfect cocktail for a celebration! Absolutely love the garnishes, especially the sugared cranberries!”

– VAL
Straight on photo of a red margarita for Christmas made with pomegranate and cranberry juices in a short drink glass.

Update: This recipe was originally published in February 2018. I made updates to the post below to include more information about making this holiday margarita at home.

Hi, friends! If you’ve been searching for a deliciously festive twist on the classic margarita, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to today’s recipe: Christmas margaritas with cranberry and pomegranate. Sweet-tart, easy to batch, highly customizable, and designed to make you feel confident behind the bar, these drinks are about to become your holiday staple:

Table of Contents

About these Christmas margaritas

Bright, sweet-tart, and full of cheerful flavor, these holiday cocktails start on a classic margarita building block—tequila, citrus, and orange liqueur—then layer in jewel-toned juices for a bold, fruit-forward Christmas twist.

Imagine: tart cranberry juice and rich pomegranate juice swirling together with smooth tequila, citrusy orange liqueur, a touch of sweet agave, and a kiss of fresh lime. A little sour, slightly sweet, and perfectly smooth, it’s a drink that feels both homey and elegant.

Rim your glasses sugar and salt, then garnish with sugared cranberries, pomegranate arils, and a sprig of rosemary for an ideally festive, downright Instagram-worthy Christmas drink.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Balanced, Bright Flavors. Crisp tequila provides the backbone, cranberry and pomegranate bring tart fruit flavors, and lime keeps everything bright and lifted, while orange liqueur threads sweetness throughout cocktail, so every sip feels beautifully smooth and refreshing.
  • Festive Presentation.  With its jewel-toned red color, glowing pomegranate arils, shimmering cranberry garnish, and a sprig of rosemary, this margarita is truly a wow-worthy cocktail for holiday gatherings.
  • Simple and Easy. With just a few simple ingredients (think: juices, citrus, and bar staples) and about five minutes, this Christmas margaritas recipe can be ready for enjoying.
  • Customizable and Crowd-Pleasing. Easily customizable (mocktail version included), effortlessly batch-able, and easy to scale up for parties. This margarita recipe works for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy evening for one or a full-blown holiday bash.  
  • Seasonal but Timeless. The cranberry and pomegranate combination may evoke winter holidays, but the classic margarita base keeps it fun, and the ruby-red color makes it suitable any time of year for celebrations like baby showers and wedding showers.

If you’re looking for more cocktails with fruit, check out these recipes next: Strawberry Basil Cocktail, Blackberry Cocktail, and Strawberry Sangria.

Straight on photo of a bowl of homemade sugared cranberries to garnish Christmas cocktails.

Ingredients for this holiday drink

  • Tequila. The backbone of any margarita. For a smooth, clean, agave-forward flavor, be sure to use Blanco tequila or silver tequila. But note, avoid gold tequila.
  • Orange Liqueur. Lends a sweet-citrusy flavor that perfectly ties the tequila and fruit juices together. Use Cointreau or Grand Marnier for the best flavor or triple sec if you need a budget-friendly choice.
  • Cranberry Juice. Provides bright and tart unmistakeable holiday flavor and a beautiful red color. Be sure to grab 100% cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail with lots of added sugar) for best flavor. 
  • Pomegranate Juice. Adds a little richness, gentle sweetness, and rounds out the fruit flavors. Be sure to use unsweetened pom juice if you prefer to control the sweetness or use sweetened if you prefer a fruiter, sweeter margarita.
  • Fresh Lime Juice. Use fresh limes to balance the cocktail and bring everything to life.
  • Sweetener. To balance the naturally tart pomegranate and cranberry. I like agave here, but you can use a simple syrup or honey syrup for a different taste.

If you’ve got leftover tequila, put it to good use in these cocktails: Tequila Pineapple Juice Cocktail and Tequila Kiwi Cocktail Recipe.

For the rim and garnishes

  • Ice Cubes. For shaking and serving the holiday drinks.
  • Granulated Sugar, Salt, or Mix of Both. Salt is a classic component of a solid margarita; it amplifies the citrus and tequila. And sugar enhances the fruity, holiday dessert side. I recommend using half-salt and half-sugar on the rim of the glass for the best complimentary flavor. 
  • Pomegranate Seeds or Arils. Provide pops of flavor and a jeweled look in the glass.
  • Sugared Cranberries. Adds visual shimmery pop and a festive, wintry feel. 
  • Lime Wedge, Peels, or Wheels. Reinforce the citrus flavors and give each cocktail glass a polished appeal.
  • Rosemary Sprig. Brings subtle earthy aroma and gives each glass a cute “mini Christmas tree” effect.

Recipe variations

  • Fizzy Cocktail. Top the margaritas with a little club soda for an effervescent Christmas cocktail drink twist.
  • Mocktail / No-Alcohol Margarita. Nix the tequila and orange liqueur and use sparkling water or club soda and a little fresh orange juice—still tart, still festive.
  • Sweeter Twist. Add a splash or two more of pomegranate juice and/or a little more agave to round off any tart or harsh edges. 
  • Batch-Friendly (Party Size). Scale up the ingredients—the slider in the Christmas margaritas recipe card below will do it for you. And, mix the juices, tequila, liqueur, and agave in a pitcher, cover, and store in the fridge. Then, just stir with ice before serving into garnished glasses.
  • Frozen Variation. Add all ingredients with ice to a blender and blend for a slushy-style Christmas margarita recipe.
Action photo of a person pouring tequila into a glass jar to make a batch of Christmas cocktails.

Chef expert tips for perfect results every time

  • Use 100% Agave Tequila. Its cleaner flavor keeps the drink smooth and perfectly sip-able, rather than with a harsh, boozy edge.
  • Freshly Squeeze a Lime. That stuff in a bottle tends to taste metallic and will dull the bright tang that makes this Christmas cocktail drink sing.
  • Chill your Ingredients and Pitcher. Pop everything into the freezer for 5-10 minutes beforehand so your ice doesn’t have to work as hard. This will give you colder, crisper drinks with less dilution.
  • Shake Vigorously. At least 20 seconds or until the cocktail shaker is cold to the touch to fully blend flavors.
  • Don’t Add Ice to Pitcher. For short periods you should be fine, but avoid adding ice to the pitcher for long holds to prevent dilution. 
  • Taste and Adjust after Shaking. Add a squeeze of lime if it’s too sweet, or a small splash of agave if it’s sharper than you’d like.
  • Rim the Glass. For a cheerful sparkle and to soften the tartness of the cocktail, use a 50/50 mixture of kosher salt (or coarse sea salt) and granulated sugar to rim the glasses.
  • Garnish Generously. Remember, you eat and drink with your eyes first, so presentation matters, especially during the holiday season. Consider garnishing with sugar berries, pom arils, and lime wedges or rosemary sprigs to make these Christmas margaritas feel extra special.
  • Serving a Crowd? To stretch this Christmas margaritas recipe, top with a splash of club soda, splash of OJ, or splash of white cranberry juice. The club adds fizz, and looks effervescent, but they all work perfectly for a crowd.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

Below you’ll find the most common questions and answers about making this Christmas margarita recipe. If you have a question you’d like answered, please drop it in the comments section below!

What tequila should I buy for this recipe?

I recommend using a mid-range blanco or silver tequila labeled “100% agave” for the smoothest taste. It doesn’t need to be top-shelf, but avoid using the cheapest option for the most polished Christmas drink.

Lost in the liquor aisle? All these 100% agave tequilas are great choices for this Christmas margaritas recipe–Avion, Casa Noble Crystal, Herradura, Don Julio, Milagro, 1800, and Patron.

Can I use cranberry-pomegranate juice cocktail instead of separate cranberry and pomegranate juices?

Sure, it’s your kitchen and your cocktail, so please use what you love. Just note that the combined cran-pom cocktail juice is much sweeter, so I would hold off on the agave until after you taste the drink.

What if I don’t have pomegranate juice?

Personally, I would just do a cranberry-only version if you can’t find or don’t have pomegranate juice. The holiday drinks will still be delicious and festive, although a little less complex and round in flavor. Alternatively, you could use a a little orange juice in lieu of pomegranate for a different variation.

How do I make these festive margaritas less strong without losing flavor?

Easy! Simply reduce the amount of the tequila slightly and then top each glass with club soda. Alternatively, you can add a little extra juice or thin the cocktail with a touch of orange juice. But, I recommend keeping the orange liqueur and make sure the lime juice is fresh so it still tastes like a margarita.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version?

Absolutely—substitute the tequila and liqueur with club soda or sparkling water and a splash of fresh orange juice. You’ll get the tart cranberry-pomegranate flavors with none of the alcohol.

Should I use salt or sugar on the rim?

Honestly, that depends on your tastebuds. However, I personally recommend using a 50/50 mix on the rim of these Christmas margaritas for the roundest flavor. Salt lends a savory contrast to the sweet-tart base, while sugar softens the fruit’s acidity and brings a dessert-like vibe. So, I strongly recommend using half-salt, half-sugar rim for the best of both worlds.

Chef note: Make sure you use kosher salt or flakey Maldon sea salt, and not fine salt or this Christmas margarita recipe will turn out very salty! And you’ll want to use either granulated sugar or turbinado sugar, depending upon what you’ve got.

How can I keep the Christmas drinks cold for a party without watering them down?

Make sure to chill all the ingredients and the pitcher thoroughly before making this Christmas cocktail drink. And, be sure to use large ice cubes and add them directly to the glasses—not to the pitcher. You can also consider adding some frozen cranberries to each drink glass as edible “ice.”

Can I make this cocktail recipe ahead in a pitcher for a holiday party?

You sure can! To make a large batch of this Christmas margaritas recipe, whisk the fruit juice with the tequila, orange liqueur, and agave in a large pitcher and store in the fridge. Then, add ice and garnishes to the cocktail glasses just before serving to keep everything fresh.

Straight on action photo of a cocktail shaker pouring a Christmas margarita with a prepared drink in the forefront.

Serving Christmas cocktail drinks

  • Festively Garnished. Serve in rocks glasses or margarita glasses with a salt-and-sugar rim, plenty of ice, and a collection of garnishes like sugared cranberries, pomegranate arils, rosemary sprig, and a lime wheel.
  • Tex-Mex Christmas. Pair with guacamole, a trio of salsas and chips, plus your favorite tacos, quesadillas, burritos and Mexican recipes for a fun, South-of-the-boarder-meets-Christmas spread.
  • Signature Holiday Drink with Appetizers. Offer this Christmas margarita recipe as your signature drink alongside holiday appetizers like a charcuterie board, shrimp cocktail, or savory spicy roasted nuts.

Unique serving suggestions

Storing leftovers

  • Make-Ahead (Batching): Mix the juices with the tequila, orange liqueur, and agave in a sealed pitcher or container and store in the fridge for up to 12 hours. Add ice and garnishes to the glasses just before serving this Christmas margarita recipe.
  • Refrigerating Leftovers: Unfortunately, this Christmas cocktail drink are best when you enjoy them fresh, since leftovers don’t keep well once ice melts. But, if you must, cover the holiday margarita with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. I recommend drinking it within a few hours, but note the flavor and texture will degrade over time.
  • Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing leftovers of this Christmas margaritas recipe. However, you can freeze the margarita base or juice blend (without alcohol) in a freezer-safe container (leaving some headspace) or in ice cube trays. When ready to serve, let it thaw until slushy and stir in the tequila or lightly blend the ingredients together.
Angled photo of a holiday cocktail with cranberry, pomegranate, tequila, and lime juice in a short drink glass.

Bright, festive, and beautifully flavorful, this cranberry and pomegranate Christmas margarita recipe is guaranteed to bring all the holiday cheer and a touch of winter magic. With just a handful of basic ingredients, a quick shake, and a few festive touches— sugared cranberries, lime wheels, rosemary—you’ll have a cocktail that’s equal parts comforting, refreshing, and celebratory.

I hope you shake up a batch of these merry margaritas! But, don’t forget to come back and let me know how it went in the comments below or tag me on social media. I love cheering you on in the kitchen (and behind the bar).

Cheers, friends—to a season filled with joy, laughter, and an unforgettable Christmas cocktail drink or two!

Cheyanne

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More holiday cocktail recipes!

Straight on photo of a Christmas margarita with cranberry and pomegranate in a sugar and salt-rimmed cocktail glass.

Christmas Margarita Recipe

5 from 9 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 10 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 cocktails
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Looking for some holiday cheer in a cocktail glass? Meet this stunning Christmas Margaritas recipe! Featuring tart cranberries, vibrant pomegranate, zest lime, a splash of orange liqueur, the right amount of tequila, and a sugared cranberry garnish, this dazzling ruby-red holiday margarita drink is the perfect blend of festive, merry, and magical.

Equipment

  • 1 Medium Saucepan
  • 1 Cocktail Shaker

Ingredients 

  • ¾ Cup Tequila (SEE NOTES)
  • 1/3 Cup Orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  • ½ Cup Pomegranate Juice
  • ½ Cup Cranberry Juice (make sure it's 100% juice and not cocktail juice)
  • ¼ Cup Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1 ounce Agave Nectar optional
  • OPTIONAL to taste Club Soda – (if you want to stretch the drinks)

Sugared Cranberries (yield 3/4 cups)

  • 3/4 cup Sugar divided
  • 3 ounces Fresh Cranberries
  • OPTIONAL Cocktail Garnishes: Lime Wedges, Pomegranate Arils, Salt & Sugared Rim, Fresh Rosemary Sprigs

Instructions

  • Make the Sugared Cranberries: In a medium saucepan, stir together ¼ cup of sugar and ¼ cup of water. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the sugar water to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
    Once simmering, constantly stir until the sugar completely dissolves, about 2 minutes.
    Remove the simple syrup from the heat and dump in the cranberries. Stir until the berries are coated.
    Then, set aside and allow them to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes (SEE NOTES).
    Next, use a slotted spoon to transfer the cranberries to a wire rack. Set the cranberries aside and allow them to dry for at least 1 hour.
    Once dry, add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar to a large plate.
    Roll the cranberries in the sugar until well coated. Allow to dry again, for at least another hour.
  • Make the Christmas Margaritas: In a cocktail shaker, or Mason jar, add the tequila, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
    Fill the shaker 2/3 full with ice and seal with the top.
    Shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled to the touch, about 20 seconds.
    Taste the cocktail and adjust with the agave to suit your tastebuds.
  • Garnish and Serve Christmas Cocktail Drinks: Strain the margarita into glasses filled with ice and rimmed with sugar and salt. Top with a little club soda if you're looking for a lighter drink or want to stretch the margarita mix into more cocktails.
    Garnish with sugared cranberries and other optional garnishes if using. Enjoy immediately.

Video

Notes

  • Tequila: Use blanco or silver tequila for the best taste. 
  • Sugared Cranberries: If you want your sugared cranberries to have a less tart taste, transfer the cranberries in the sugar water to a container with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate for 6 hours to overnight.  Then proceed with recipe as directed – drying and rolling in sugar.
    • Allowing the sugared cranberries to dry on a wire rack is best, however if you do not have one, you can use a baking sheet covered with wax paper instead.
  • Rimming Cocktail Glass: While a traditional margarita uses a salt rim, I recommend using a combination of both kosher salt and granulated sugar for the best taste here.
  • Club Soda: If you want to top the cocktail off with a little Club Soda make sure you add the soda to the cocktail glass and NOT the shaker.
  • Adjust to Taste: Always make sure you are making your cocktails to YOUR taste.  Use this recipe as a guide, then taste and adjust to your liking. 
  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
  • Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 
  • Yield:  about 3 cups of margarita
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 2 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal    Carbohydrates: 42g    Protein: 1g    Fat: 0.5g    Saturated Fat: 0.1g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g    Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g    Sodium: 12mg    Potassium: 231mg    Fiber: 0.3g    Sugar: 38g    Vitamin A: 44IU    Vitamin C: 17mg    Calcium: 17mg    Iron: 0.3mg
Course: Cocktail, drink
Cuisine: American

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