this Christmas margarita Bring holiday flair to any party with a unique blend of pomegranate, cinnamon and maple syrup with every sip! Served with a cinnamon-sugar rim, this is sure to be your new favorite 5-minute cocktail!
Cocktails are a big part of the holiday season. Whether it's this pomegranate version, mine Mistletoe Margarita, White Christmas Margaritaor Christmas Holiday SangriaYou definitely want them to be quick and easy. Can even be prep-friendly. Luckily, this smooth Christmas margarita is all three. Plus, hints of smoky maple syrup and earthy cinnamon won't disappoint you or your guests.
Why you'll love this Christmas cocktail
If you love easy holiday cocktails that you can easily double or triple for a large gathering, this festive Christmas cocktail is right up your alley.
- One is great for a party. If you just want a few sips of a Christmas cocktail, this is perfect.
- versatile Add spicy jalapeños, use Cointreau, or turn this sweet recipe into a mocktail if you like.
- assembly-friendly. Stir everything together in a pitcher up to a day ahead and pour everyone their own margaritas.
- fruit Each sip contains tart pomegranate juice, tangy orange juice and orange liqueur.
What you will need
Maple syrup adds natural smokiness while the cinnamon-sugar rim brings everything together with its lovely warm spice. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact ingredient amounts.
For cocktails
- Pomegranate juice- I prefer 100% pomegranate juice to apple-pomegranate or cranberry-pomegranate blends.
- orange juice- Fresh-chip is best.
- Maple syrup- Raw honey and agave nectar also work.
- tequila – I used “reposado” but add your favorite.
- Grand Marnier – Add your favorite brand of orange-flavored liquor.
- cinnamon stick- Feel free to use ground nutmeg.
To make the cinnamon sugar rim
- white sugar- Go for light brown or dark brown sugar if you have it on hand.
- cinnamon stick- Don't skip. You can go 50/50 with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Optional garnish
- Rosemary Sprig – You can use fresh or dried rosemary.
- orange slices- 1/4″ thick slices are best.
- Pomegranate aril- Fresh raspberries or black cherries are good substitutes.
What is the best tequila to use?
The best tequila for this Christmas margarita recipe is aged or “reposado” because it's sweet and smoky. It has notes of oak, vanilla and caramel that just add a cozy holiday vibe to this cocktail.
How to Make a Christmas Margarita
You don't need to be a mixologist to nail this icy Christmas margarita with orange liqueur! Scroll to the bottom of the post for the full recipe card.
- Prepare the rim. Whisk the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. Rub a lime wedge along the rim of the cocktail glass. Press the rims into the cinnamon-sugar. Repeat for all glasses and set aside.
- Fill the shaker. Add ice, pomegranate juice, orange juice, maple syrup, tequila, Grand Marnier and cinnamon to a cocktail shaker.
- Make the margarita. Turn off the shaker and shake vigorously until nice and icy. Add ice to prepared cocktail glass. Pour into the margarita mixture.
- serve Garnish with rosemary, orange slices and pomegranate arils. Enjoy!
Tips and variations
One's parties can be a lot more fun and festive with candied lemon slices, crunchy coconut rims and fresh fruit juices.
- Make it spicy. Add a thin slice of fresh jalapeño to each serving glass and let the cocktail rest for a minute before serving. This will release a gentle kick of heat.
- Swap the liquor. If you're not a fan of Grand Marnier, use Cointreau or Triple Sec instead with a similar flavor profile.
- More garnishes. A cinnamon stick, candied lemon wedges and fresh cranberries can add more holiday flavor to each sip.
- Use fresh juice. Blend a whole pomegranate aril with 1/2 cup water. Strain the mixture to remove the seeds and use the juice for the recipe.
- Go alcohol free. Turn it into a mocktail by swapping the tequila for more pomegranate juice and the Grand Marnier for more orange juice.
- Change the rim. Skip the cinnamon-sugar rim for a shredded coconut. Dip the rims in sweetened condensed milk and then in shredded coconut for fruit rims that look like winter snow.
Can I make it for the crowd?
Absolutely! You will need to make multiple batches of this cocktail. Stir together all margarita ingredients (except ice) in a large pitcher. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add cinnamon-sugar rims to glasses as usual. Serve in pitchers and pour everyone their own cocktail.
More holiday cocktails to try
description
This 5-minute Christmas margarita recipe with fruit juice, tequila, and Grand Marnier is a sweet holiday cocktail for one.
Christmas Margarita:
Cinnamon Sugar Rim:
Garnish:
Cinnamon Sugar Rim:
- In a small bowl, wide enough to dip a cocktail glass, add the sugar and cinnamon. Mix so that it is well combined.
- Take a lime wedge and coat the rim of a cocktail glass with lemon juice. Then gently dab the lime rimmed glass in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Top with ginger beer for some bubbles.
Christmas Margarita:
- Add ice cubes, pomegranate juice, orange juice, maple, tequila, Grand Marnier and cinnamon to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously to blend and pour over crushed ice. Top with rosemary sprigs, orange slices or pomegranate arils.
