Ingredients
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 1½ ounces blanco tequila
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce raspberry liqueur
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, cranberry juice, blanco tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and raspberry liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball or rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Variations and Substitutions
The cranberry margarita can be simplified or ornate as you choose, with an array of options to make it the best one for you.
- Use lemon juice instead of lime juice, or both for a tarter margarita.
- Shake in a half-ounce of agave or simple syrup for a sweeter taste.
- Use cranberry liqueur instead of raspberry liqueur.
- Drop the raspberry liqueur if you want a more focused cranberry flavor.
- Use mezcal for a smokier flavor.
- Add a few drops of cranberry bitters for a more complex margarita.
Garnishes
Garnishes are an extension of the cocktail experience. They're a key part of any drink, adding an extra visual aspect to cocktails as well as a nose or scent and flavor that would otherwise be missing.
- Add a salt or sugar rim.
- Use a dehydrated lime, lemon, or orange wheel.
- Pierce three whole cranberries on a cocktail skewer.
- Instead of a lime wheel, use an orange slice.
- Consider a citrus peel, either lemon, lime, or orange.
- Add a rosemary sprig for an herbaceous feel.
About the Cranberry Margarita
The origin of the margarita is much debated. Some claim it came to be as a result of changing around the ingredients in a brandy daisy. Another piece of lore is that tequila was readily available across the border in Mexico when Prohibition had the United States short on spirits. And, like many other cocktails, the margarita was also born as a result of resourcefulness and experimentation.
Regardless of how margaritas were created, today you have a list of flavors and styles to choose from. The cranberry margarita is no less an essential flavor than any other. In fact, its ability to be enjoyed year-round might make it a little more advantageous than some.
A Tart Surprise
Margaritas are often thought of as sour, but the cranberry juice spins this classic into a juicy and tart flavor. This cocktail could easily be your next favorite, whether you're sitting down in the spring to enjoy a drink or mixing up drinks for winter holidays, the cranberry margarita is the answer for any season.
