Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
The most festive Frosted Mistletoe Margarita. Tis’ the season. Mixed simply with fresh winter citrus, cranberry juice, orange liquor, and a good splash of tequila. Then blend with ice and top off with fresh rosemary and sweet sugared cranberries. This frosty drink is so easy to create. Simply mix everything together in a blender for a festive holiday cocktail that’s perfectly icy, sweet, and so delicious! A sweet and salty rim keeps everyone coming back for a second round. Tip? Make the punch version to serve to family and friends! Everyone loves a frosty margarita.
Welcome to the very last Christmas Cocktail Saturday of the holiday season! This year’s drinks have been some of my favorites, but I think I saved the most special for last…the Mistletoe Margarita!
I’ve been wanting to make this margarita for a while, but I hesitated because I wasn’t sure we’d want a frozen margarita on a cold December night. BUT, I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided an icy drink by the fire is actually the best. So, here we are! My favorite cocktail yet! I’ve never done anything like this frosty margarita, so I’m excited…and let’s be honest, everyone loves a darn good tequila cocktail.
And this one? It’s all done up for the holidays…and just in time for Christmas Eve too!
Here are the quick and simple details.
This is such a simple drink. First, gather your ingredients. Good tequila, cranberry juice, Cointreau (orange liquor), fresh lime juice, cranberries, honey, and a bit of orange zest. You’ll also need some sugar and salt for the rim.
Now, mix that sugar and salt, and rim each glass with the salty-sweet mix. Trust me, this is the extra-special holiday touch your drink needs.
Find yourself a cocktail blender. Grab lots of ice and add everything in, then blend, blend, blend.
Pour into your pretty salty sugar-rimmed glass. And drink up! SIMPLE, super festive, and, so very GOOD.
A little holiday tip…
During the holiday season always keep the essentials for a few good cocktails on hand. I like to keep bourbon, vodka, and tequila stocked this time of year. These are my family’s alcohols of choice.
Then I always have cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, limes, and ginger beer in the fridge. These are my go-to mixers. You never know when you’ll need to mix up a quick drink…it’s always a good idea to be prepared!
To make this frosty margarita sparkle.
For a sweet and festive touch, I love finishing with sugared cranberries. Completely optional, but they add a nice “sparkle” to each drink. I make mine using maple syrup instead of just sugar. The maple syrup provides a delicious flavor and makes these festive cranberries super easy to make.
The best part about this drink? It takes only minutes to make but always turns out looking so impressive and extra pretty with its dark red color. I’m planning to make the pitcher next week for Christmas break. My family is already looking forward to this one…they’ve been sent photos are and very, very excited. This frosted margarita is a mix up of all of their favorites.
And with that, let’s kick off the holiday week in the best way possible, with a cocktail in hand. The only way to do it up!
Looking for other Christmas drinks? Here are my favorites:
The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail
Lastly, if you make this Frosted Mistletoe Margarita, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Frosted Mistletoe Margarita Punch
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 207 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups silver tequila
- 2 cups no sugar added cranberry juice
- 3/4 cup Cointreau (orange liquor)
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1/4-1/2 cup honey, use more or less to your taste
- zest from 1 orange
- 3-4 cups ice
- rosemary and sugared cranberries, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Combine the sugar and salt on a shallow plate. Rim each glass in salted sugar.2. In a blender, combine the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liquor, lime juice, cranberries, and honey. Add the ice and blend until slushy. Add the orange zest and blend to combine. Pour into your prepared glasses. Garnish with rosemary and sugared cranberries, if desired. Drink!
SUGARED CRANBERRIES
- 1. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups fresh cranberries with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup. Let sit 10-15 minutes. Strain the cranberries, then add them to a parchment lined baking sheet.2. Toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until all the cranberries are coated. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer, for at least one hour.
Frosted Mistletoe Margarita
Servings: 1
Calories Per Serving: 462 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) no sugar added cranberry juice
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau (orange liquor)
- juice from 1/2 a lime
- 1-2 tablespoons fresh or frozen cranberries
- 2-3 teaspoons honey, use more or less to your taste
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 cup ice
- rosemary and sugared cranberries, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Combine the sugar and salt on a shallow plate. Rim each glass in salted sugar.2. In a blender, combine the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liquor, lime juice, cranberries, and honey. Add the ice and blend until slushy. Add the orange zest and blend to combine. Pour into your prepared glasses. Garnish with rosemary and sugared cranberries, if desired. Drink!
SUGARED CRANBERRIES
- 1. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups fresh cranberries with 1/2 cup pure maple syrup. Let sit 10-15 minutes. Strain the cranberries, then add them to a parchment lined baking sheet.2. Toss the cranberries with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until all the cranberries are coated. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer, for at least one hour.
Delicious Christmas margarita. I did find it a bit too sour with straight cranberry juice (ingredients: cranberry juice and water) instead of your typical cranberry juice cocktail which is actually a mixture of 3-4 different fruits. So I used the upper amount of honey and added the juice of the orange I zested. Very good with these modifications. Now to make the sides to go with the prime rib my husband is smoking outside. Merry Christmas!
Hi Carrie,
Thank you so much for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed! Merry Christmas!?? xT
How can I upload a picture? Love these and they were delicious!!
Hi Anne,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! Sorry, we don’t provide the capability to upload photos. Happy Holidays!?? xTieghan
Can you provide the measurements to make a pitcher?
Hi Cindy,
Those are listed above:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try. Cheers! xTieghan
I didn’t realize you could change the serving amount. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks!!!
You bet!
How would you change the recipe to do on the rocks instead of blended?
We did ours on the rocks. Just “muddle” the cranberries using a potato masher with a strong arm. And mix all the ingredients in a pitcher.
Hi Lauren,
You can follow the recipe as is, just serve on the rocks:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! Cheers! xTieghan
What brand of unsweetened cranberry juice do you typically use or recommend? Making this for Christmas! Thank you! We love your cocktails!
Hi Liz,
I typically get mine from Whole Foods, Simply Cranberry is great! I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
I would love to know where to get glasses like that…?
Hi Melissa,
Sorry, these glasses are old, I no longer have a link for them. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
What do you think would be the best way to store sugared cranberries for a few days- in the fridge?
Hi Lindsey,
Yes, I would keep them in the fridge. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Would gold tequila be ok to use instead of silver?
Hi Peggy,
If you can get your hands on silver I would use that, but gold will be fine if you have to use it. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This looks delicious! Have you tried it not frozen? Is it any good that way?
Hi Monica,
This would be just as good served over ice rather than blended. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
This drink is so yummy!! I don’t have a blender so I served it on the rocks. I also added a splash of OJ. It was a hit at my annual Christ Christmas cookie party!
Hi Jessica,
Awesome! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it. Happy Holidays!❄️ xT
Did you still use the fresh cranberries even though it was on the rocks? If you did, did you muddle them? Thanks!
Hi Tiegan,
Got all my stuff to make this for Christmas Eve but wanted to clarify one thing- am I to use no sugar added cranberry juice or unsweentened?
Thank you! Excited to try this:)
Hi Natalie,
I like to use unsweetened. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! Cheers! xTieghan
I keep fresh cranberries in the freezer. I couldn’t get more cranberries yesterday. Would the sugared cranberries still work if they were frozen or is that too much moisture?
Hi Abigail,
I would allow your cranberries to thaw on a paper towel to absorb the moisture and then they should be good! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Made a half recipe of this earlier today and it was so delicious. It should be known that cranberry is a diuretic. And consuming larger quantities of 100% cranberry juice + fresh cranberries than your body is used to can cause stomach cramping and diarrhea.
Delicious recipe but I only had two and I am writhing right now.
Merry Christmas ?⛄
Hey there,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays!?? xTieghan
Where did you get the cup from? I need some! I’m obsessed!
Hi Ashleigh,
Sorry, these glasses are old, I no longer have a link for them. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was a total crowd pleaser! Your recipes are always fabulous!
Hi Heather,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe out, I am thrilled to hear that it was enjoyed. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Where is the glass from in this picture? It’s perfect.
Hi Tori,
So sorry, these glasses are old, I no longer have a link for them. Please let me know if you give the drink a try. Cheers! xTieghan
Hello!
This recipe is delicious!
However, the punch recipe that is posted looks like the same one as the blended recipe to me. What is the recipe for the punch? I am making a large batch for a party, but it will have to be made ahead of time.
Thank you!
Hey Amy,
Sorry, I am not sure what you are referring to. Of course the punch has the same ingredients, but the measurements are completely different. Please follow the punch recipe as listed:) Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi- sorry! I meant I wanted to make the punch and store in the fridge all day. I saw that there was crushed ice in the punch recipe, so I figured that would melt and wasn’t sure if that would make the drinks watery for later.
If I make the punch recipe and keep it in the fridge during the day, would I just pour it over ice cubes later?
Thank you for your help- I am a 100% beer drinker, so I always need help with things like this!
Ohhh gotcha! Sorry for not understanding:) Yes, I would have it all ready to go in the fridge and then blend when you are ready to serve. cheers! xTieghan
I think what Amy is asking which I too would like to know is “is there a non blended version” meaning our party doesn’t allow us to blend into a margarita. We want a non blender punch. so there’s no blending with ice. Just pour over ice.