Mistletoe Margaritas

The holiday season calls for festive cocktails that bring the cheer—and nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like a Mistletoe Margarita! This merry twist on a classic margarita combines the tangy sweetness of orange juice, the tart punch of cranberry juice, a splash of simple syrup, a fizzy finish from Sprite, and, of course, a hearty pour of smooth tequila. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, tart, and refreshing to toast the season.

To quote my taste-tester (AKA my husband):

“A very well-balanced margarita, and I can taste the tequila without it being too much!”

Mistletoe Margaritas

If you’re hosting a Christmas party, planning a holiday gathering, or just looking for a festive drink to sip by the fire, this easy-to-make cocktail is a showstopper. Its vibrant red hue and garnish options—like fresh cranberries and sprigs of rosemary—make it as visually stunning as it is delicious. It’s the ideal addition to your repertoire of holiday drink recipes.

This holiday margarita recipe tastes amazing, but it’s also simple to mix up in a pitcher for serving a crowd or to make one glass at a time for cozy nights in. With ingredients easy to keep on hand, it’s a hassle-free option that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Whether you’re a tequila connoisseur or just dipping your toes into cocktail-making, this recipe is approachable and sure to impress. Raise your glass and let the holiday magic flow with every sip of this festive margarita!

Grab The Goods

• 2 limes for juicing and rimming glasses
• 2½ cups cranberry juice
• 2½ cups orange juice
• 2 cups lemon/lime soda 7Up or Sprite
• ¼ cup simple syrup
• ½ cup maraschino cherry juice
• 2 cups tequila
• cranberries and rosemary sprigs garnish – optional
• rimming salt optional
• rimming sugar optional

Let’s Mix A Pitcher of Cocktails

1. Prepare the Glasses:
2. Mix the Margarita:
   • In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry juice, orange juice, maraschino cherry juice, simple syrup, and juice of 1 lime.
   • Add the tequila and stir to blend.
3. Add the Fizz:
   • Just before serving, pour in the lemon-lime soda (7Up or Sprite) and gently stir to keep the carbonation intact.
4. Serve the Margaritas:
   • Fill the prepared glasses with ice and pour the margarita mixture over the ice.
5. Garnish:
   • Add fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary to each glass for a festive touch.
6. Enjoy:
   • Serve immediately and toast to the holiday season.

This recipe makes enough for about 6-8 servings, perfect for your next holiday gathering!

Tips, Tricks, Comments, and Questions

Chill

Chilling your ingredients is a simple but important step in making cocktails. Cold ingredients keep your drink refreshingly cool and help maintain its ideal balance of flavors. When juices, mixers, and spirits are chilled before mixing, they blend more smoothly, reducing the need for excessive ice that can dilute the drink. For cocktails like margaritas, where flavor and consistency are key, chilled ingredients enhance the crispness of citrus and the boldness of the alcohol.

Mocktail

Absolutely! To make a mocktail version, skip the tequila and replace it with extra cranberry juice, orange juice, or even a splash of club soda for some extra fizz. It’ll still be just as festive and delicious!

Tequila

Silver (blanco) tequila is the best choice for this recipe because its clean, crisp flavor lets the fruit juices shine. If you prefer a slightly warmer, more robust taste, reposado tequila can also work beautifully.

Rim The Glass

When it comes to rimming your Mistletoe Margarita glass, the great debate arises: salt or sugar? While the classic margarita often leans toward a salted rim, this festive version opens the door to the sweet, sparkling charm of a sugared rim. Here’s the scoop so you can choose your side—or maybe even mix it up!

Why Sugar?

The fruity blend of orange juice, cranberry juice, and Sprite in this holiday margarita leans on the sweeter side, making sugar the natural complement. A sugared rim adds a frosty, sparkling look that screams Christmas cheer. Plus, the sweetness enhances the tartness of the cranberry juice while balancing the tangy tequila, creating a perfect harmony in every sip.

Why Salt?

For traditionalists and those who love the contrast of salty and sweet, a salted rim can still work beautifully. Salt amplifies the citrus notes of the orange juice and adds an earthy depth to the tequila, cutting through the sweetness for a more balanced flavor. If you’re a fan of that signature margarita bite, go salty!

Why Not Both?

Feeling indecisive? Try a half-salt, half-sugar rim—it’s the best of both worlds and lets your guests decide their preference with each sip. Whether you choose sugar, salt, or both, this cocktail’s flavors are sure to shine. Just don’t skip the garnish—it’s the holiday cherry (or cranberry) on top!