Lime Cranberry Tequila Cocktail | Best Holiday Drink
Brighten up the holiday season with this beautiful, refreshing cranberry tequila cocktail! With fresh lime juice, tart cranberry juice, and sweet maple syrup, this party drink strikes the perfect balance of flavors.
One of the best parts of this time of year is all of the holiday parties! I love a themed party and I couldn’t choose a better theme than winter or Christmas.
If you find yourself hosting one cozy night and need a cocktail that will impress, look no further.
This cranberry tequila cocktail is easy to make with simple ingredients, but full of flavor and beautiful visual appeal.
Why You’ll Love It
- With sweet maple syrup and tart cranberry juice, this cocktail has the perfect balance of sweetness.
- Fresh cranberries and seasonal garnishes give this drink a festive spin, perfect for spreading holiday cheer at parties and Christmas gatherings.
- With simple ingredients and a super easy process, this delicious cocktail is great for anyone. There are a few special tools that will make it easier, but none that are required.
- This refreshing drink is delicious with or without alcohol. It can easily be made into a mocktail for a non-alcoholic drink option.
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Ingredients
Unsweetened cranberry juice: If you can only find cranberry cocktail, you’ll want to cut back the maple syrup so your drink isn’t too sweet.
Cranberries: You can use fresh or frozen cranberries.
Fresh lime juice: Don’t use bottled, it won’t taste the same. Feel free to try a different citrus, such as fresh orange juice or lemon juice.
Maple syrup: I like using pure maple syrup as the sweetener for cocktails, especially fall and winter cocktails. Alternatively, you can use simple syrup.
Tequila Blanco: Any type of Tequila Blanco that you enjoy will be great.
Orange Liqueur: Any type of orange liqueur will work, but a popular one is triple sec. You can also use another type of flavored liqueur that sounds good!
Ice: I recommend crushed ice, but any shape ice cube will be fine.
Sugar: We will add a sugar rim to this cocktail. You can also use sea salt if you prefer.
Garnishes: You can use a mint sprig, lime wedges, a sprig of rosemary, or even edible flowers (if you live somewhere with flowers in December!).
Sparkling water or ginger beer: Just a splash of seltzer water or ginger beer will complete the cocktail. You can add as much or as little as you like. If you prefer cocktails with a sweeter taste, use ginger beer. For a less sweet cocktail, use seltzer water or cut back on the maple syrup.
How to Make a Cranberry Tequila Cocktail
Spread a layer of sugar out on a plate. Rub a wedge of lime around the rim of the glass, making sure the juice coats the entire rim.
Dip the rim of the glass in the sugar to create a sugar rim. The sugar granules will stick to the lime juice.
Combine the cranberry juice, maple syrup, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker.
Add a generous handful of ice, then shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for about 30 seconds.
Strain the cocktail into a glass, leaving the ice in the shaker.
Add a handful of fresh ice and cranberries.
Fill the glass to the top with seltzer water or ginger beer and add an optional garnish, such as fresh herbs or a lime wedge.
Cranberry Tequila Cocktail for a Crowd
This festive, refreshing cocktail is perfect for holiday parties! To make it for a crowd, I recommend preparing it ahead of time in a big pitcher and adding the seltzer water as you serve it. Here’s the cocktail recipe for a crowd:
Ingredients
- Sugar and lime wedges for a sugar rim
- 2 cups (16 ounces) tequila
- 3 cups (24 ounces) cranberry juice
- 1 cup (8 ounces) fresh lime juice
- ½ cup (4 ounces) ounce triple sec
- 1 cup (8 ounces) maple syrup or simple syrup
- 6 ounces of fresh cranberries
- 3 cups (24 ounces) seltzer water or ginger beer
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients except for ice and seltzer water in a large pitcher, drink dispenser, or punch bowl.
- Chill for several hours if possible.
- To serve, create a sugar rim on the glasses and fill each glass halfway with the cocktail mixture. Add a handful of ice and a splash of seltzer water to each glass.
- Garnish and serve!
Make it a Cranberry Lime Mocktail
You don’t have to use alcohol to make this tasty and festive beverage! Make it a mocktail by omitting the tequila and liqueur. Instead, add some ginger beer to taste. You may want to adjust the maple syrup to reach your desired sweetness. Ginger beer will add quite a bit of sweetness.
How to Make Simple Syrup
I prefer to use maple syrup in this cocktail, but if you prefer simple syrup, it is very easy to make! Here’s how:
- Combine one cup sugar and one cup water in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then immediately turn down to medium heat.
- Simmer the syrup for about 10 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves and the syrup begins to thicken.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before using the syrup in a cocktail.
More Cocktails You’ll Love
Cranberry Lime Tequila Holiday Cocktail
Ingredients
- Sugar and a lime wedge for a sugar rim
- 2 ounces tequila
- 3 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce maple syrup or to taste
- About 3 ounces seltzer water or ginger beer
- Handful of fresh cranberries
Instructions
- Spread a layer of sugar out on a plate. Rub a wedge of lime around the rim of the glass, making sure the juice coats the entire rim.
- Dip the rim of the glass in the sugar to create a sugar rim. The sugar granules will stick to the lime juice.
- Combine cranberry juice, maple syrup, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker.
- Add a generous handful of ice, then shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for about 30 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into a glass, leaving the ice in the shaker.
- Add a handful of fresh ice and cranberries.
- Fill the glass to the top with seltzer water or ginger beer and add an optional garnish, such as fresh herbs or a lime wedge.
Notes
This cocktail can also be made in large batches. See the recipe in the post above.
Feel free to use simple syrup instead of maple syrup.
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