Cranberry Orange Margarita

In this cranberry orange margarita recipe, tart cranberry and bright orange citrus flavors put a seasonal spin on the classic margarita.

It’s a refreshing cocktail you can serve any time of year. However, a fresh cranberry garnish adds a festive touch for autumn and winter holiday celebrations — making this cranberry margarita Christmas cocktail one to enjoy throughout the holiday season!

Disclosure: This cranberry orange margarita recipe is sponsored by Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal and is intended for readers ages 21+. Protect your Pack. Drink Responsibly! This post also contains affiliate links. When you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.

Which Tequila Should You Use For This Orange Cranberry Margarita Recipe?

Typically, silver or blanco tequila is used in margaritas because it isn’t aged long after distilling. Therefore, it has a pure flavor that mixes well with other flavorings.

However, for these cranberry orange margaritas, I recommend using Lobos 1707 Tequila, Joven, now available at Meijer stores. You can click here to find where Lobos 1707 Tequila, Joven is available near you.

With notes of agave and balsamic and hints of tobacco on the nose, it has a more mature flavor profile than you might expect from a silver or blanco tequila. Yet the Lobos 1707 Tequila, Joven pairs nicely with citrus for a balanced cocktail. You might also want to try it in a Paloma or a unique flavored margarita.

Additionally, all of the Lobos 1707 Tequilas are free of additives and made from 100% Blue Weber agave plants grown in Los Altos de Jalisco, one of Mexico’s top tequila-producing regions. There, the nutrient-rich soil and mild climate with moderate rainfall create a terroir that produces premium tequilas.

Also, at Lobos 1707, the Blue Weber agave is harvested by skilled jimadors, who learned their craft from generations past. Then the agave is slowly cooked to extract its liquid, which is then fermented and twice distilled. The result is a pure blanco tequila finished using the solera method in Andalusian wine barrels. In fact, Lobos 1707 Tequila uses Pedro Ximenez barrels for all of its aged spirits.

In addition to the Joven, Lobos 1707 also has Reposado and Extra Anejo tequilas and a Mezcal.

Cranberry Orange Margarita Recipe Ingredients

• Lobos 1707 Tequila, Joven — As I mentioned, this premium tequila pairs well with citrus. Therefore, it is a fantastic base when creating the best cranberry margarita recipe. You can now find this once-best-kept-secret at Meijer stores or click here to find where to buy it near you!
• Orange liqueur — I used Cointreau for this cranberry margarita cocktail recipe, but you can substitute it for your favorite orange liqueur. 
• Cranberry juice — A vital component in this cranberry juice margarita!
• Limes — This recipe takes the juice of one or two limes per cocktail. Plus, you’ll use a lime wedge when preparing the salt rim.
• Freshly-squeezed orange juice —I recommend using a manual citrus juicer to squeeze your own juice from a navel orange, but you can substitute it with pulp-free orange juice.
• Ice — You’ll want large, dense ice cubes for preparing this margarita in a cocktail shaker. I also recommend saving additional ice for serving.
• Kosher salt for rim (Optional)
• Fresh cranberries for garnish (Optional)
• Orange slices for garnish (Optional)

• Easy Cranberry Margarita Step-By-Step Instructions

To make this cranberry Christmas margarita, you’ll first want to create a salt rim on each cocktail glass. To do so, cut a slit into a lime wedge and run it around the edge of the cocktail glass. Then either dip the glass rim-side down into a shallow bowl or a small plate of salt. I find it’s best to then use the back of a small spoon or your finger to push the salt up against the glass.

Next, to make a single margarita, pour the tequila, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime and orange juices into a cocktail shaker over ice. Then seal the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously until you see a fine sheet of ice shards along the top. 

Using a strainer, pour the margarita into a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange slice and fresh cranberries.

If you are making a large batch of these easy cranberry margaritas, pour the tequila, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed citrus juices into a pitcher and stir until well combined. I don’t recommend placing ice into the pitcher since this may dilute your margaritas too much. Instead, place the pitcher in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill and/or serve over ice.

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More Cocktail Recipes To Try

I’ve rounded up more than 70 flavored margarita recipes for your next margarita night or Taco Tuesday dinner! Additionally, you’ll find even more simple tequila and mezcal cocktail recipes from Lobos 1707. For more cranberry cocktail recipes, check out my roundup of 37 festive cranberry holiday cocktails.

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