A Holiday Margarita

I saw a photo of a beautiful holiday margarita on Instagram, but completely forgot to notice the account name. I have changed the recipe slightly, and it’s nothing really unique, but I’m a sucker for anything decorated with cranberries. I knew I had to make one. Or two.

A pitcher of these would be good for a party, because they’re less alcoholic than a traditional margarita. But not by much!

And they sure are pretty!

A Holiday Margarita
Makes 2

Grenadine or simple syrup
Coarse salt or colorful rimming salt/sugar
4 ounces tequila
2 ounces Grand Marnier
Juice of 1 fresh lime
2 ounces pomegranate juice
Fresh cranberries
Orange slices
Fresh mint leaves

Gently dip the margarita glasses into some grenadine or simple syrup, and let them dry for a minute. Then dip them in a coarse salt or a colorful rimming salt or sugar. I chose the latter.

In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, Grand Marnier, fresh lime juice, and pomegranate juice. Fill the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled.

Pour the mixture into the prepared glasses partially filled with ice.

Garnish with fresh cranberries, a lime wedge, an orange slice, and/or a sprig of mint for a festive touch.

By Published On: December 12th, 202441 Comments on A Holiday Margarita

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

41 Comments

  1. Anonymous December 12, 2024 at 6:07 AM - Reply

    Mimi, these look so festive and delicious! Perfect for a holiday party :) You could sugar the cranberries for garnish too!

    • Chef Mimi December 12, 2024 at 6:44 AM - Reply

      I tried that once and it didn’t work!

  2. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen December 12, 2024 at 8:12 AM - Reply

    Three cheers for this beauty!

  3. johnrieber December 12, 2024 at 9:24 AM - Reply

    Beautiful look and refreshing!

    • Chef Mimi December 12, 2024 at 2:14 PM - Reply

      It’s almost better than a regular margarita! Almost…

      • johnrieber December 12, 2024 at 2:54 PM

        Well, I will take that as a challenge to make both and do a taste test – thank you!

  4. beth December 12, 2024 at 11:49 AM - Reply

    yummm and very festive!

    • Chef Mimi December 12, 2024 at 2:14 PM - Reply

      Thank you Beth!

  5. Healthy World Cuisine December 12, 2024 at 12:07 PM - Reply

    So festive and pretty for the holiday season. A little punch of healthy pomegranate juice too!

    • Chef Mimi December 12, 2024 at 2:15 PM - Reply

      Which makes it a healthy cocktail of course!

      • Ben | Havocinthekitchen December 16, 2024 at 4:10 PM

        Such a beautiful and festive cocktail perfect for the holiday – all these flavours scream “holiday season!”

      • Chef Mimi December 16, 2024 at 5:31 PM

        Thank you Ben! I love festive cocktails!

  6. Anonymous December 12, 2024 at 1:32 PM - Reply

    This is the perfect drink for the holiday season!

    • Chef Mimi December 12, 2024 at 2:15 PM - Reply

      Thank you!

  7. ingoodflavor December 12, 2024 at 1:51 PM - Reply

    This is the perfect drink for the holidays!

    • Chef Mimi December 12, 2024 at 2:15 PM - Reply

      I love pretty cocktails, but they also have to taste good!

  8. cookingwithauntjuju.com December 12, 2024 at 3:12 PM - Reply

    This reminds me of a childhood mocktail, the Shirley Temple which I will post before the end of the year. There’s something about “red” drinks that are so appealing :)

    • Chef Mimi December 13, 2024 at 7:34 AM - Reply

      I remember ordering a Shirley Temple! It was grenadine, right?!

  9. Tandy (Lavender and Lime) December 12, 2024 at 9:53 PM - Reply

    I need that juice, and a couple of these 😉

    • Chef Mimi December 13, 2024 at 7:34 AM - Reply

      Cause it’s that time of year….

  10. paulineandneil3147 December 13, 2024 at 5:04 AM - Reply

    Oh to have fresh cranberries. Your Margaritas look delicious and so pretty.

    • Chef Mimi December 13, 2024 at 7:34 AM - Reply

      Oh that’s so sad that they’re hard for you to get where you live. Truly.

  11. Jeff the Chef December 13, 2024 at 7:40 AM - Reply

    The snow’s back! Pom juice is one of the very few things I don’t care for. I’m guessing I could sub cranberry juice? These do just look like the holidays, don’t they?

    • Chef Mimi December 14, 2024 at 7:17 AM - Reply

      Yes! I almost forgot about it! Anything red would work of course.

  12. Ann Coleman December 13, 2024 at 9:13 PM - Reply

    I’d drink that! Merry Christmas!

    • Chef Mimi December 14, 2024 at 7:16 AM - Reply

      Ha! Merry Christmas!

  13. David Scott Allen December 14, 2024 at 10:55 AM - Reply

    Mimi, this will be perfect for our holiday guests. They are coming from Switzerland, and they requested margaritas. Yes, I could make the standard margarita, but this is so much fun and so beautiful. Thanks for this!

    • Chef Mimi December 14, 2024 at 3:46 PM - Reply

      Oh that funny that they asked for margaritas!!! Well, these were good, and definitely festive looking! Merry Christmas!

  14. terrie gura December 14, 2024 at 1:38 PM - Reply

    ‘Tis the season for a cranberry cocktail! I’m in love with those glasses! 🤩

    • Chef Mimi December 14, 2024 at 3:47 PM - Reply

      Amazon! Amazon has everything!

  15. David @ Spiced December 16, 2024 at 6:31 AM - Reply

    Oh I love how you used pomegranate juice in this recipe! For some reason, that just screams holidays to me…that and the oranges, of course. Cheers!

    • Chef Mimi December 16, 2024 at 7:24 AM - Reply

      Thanks, David! Merry Christmas!

  16. Karen December 16, 2024 at 11:15 AM - Reply

    I know that I would really enjoy your cocktail…not too sweet.

  17. Raymund December 17, 2024 at 1:38 PM - Reply

    Now I feel like I want one, even this early morning. Definitely a recipe worth sharing for holiday gatherings!

    • Chef Mimi December 18, 2024 at 10:06 AM - Reply

      Hahahaha! Well cheers to a wonderful holiday season!

  18. Hannah Kaminsky December 21, 2024 at 6:35 AM - Reply

    This sounds like a genuine improvement over the original! Love the seasonal twist. I think I might make these for my holiday party. :)

    • Chef Mimi December 21, 2024 at 4:33 PM - Reply

      They turned out really good! My husband says he likes them better than the traditional variety.

  19. Frank Fariello December 21, 2024 at 8:44 AM - Reply

    This sounds so delicious and looks o festive, Mimi. Might be dangerous around me as I’d likely wind up overserved…

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