Description
Celebrate the season with the Festive Mistletoe Margarita, a vibrant and refreshing twist on the classic margarita. This recipe combines tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup, garnished with fresh cranberries and mint for a festive holiday touch. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this cocktail can be served on the rocks or frozen for an extra chilly treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Margarita
- 2 ounces of tequila
- 1 ounce of triple sec (or orange juice for a non-alcoholic option)
- 1 ounce of fresh lime juice
- 0.5 ounces of simple syrup
- Ice cubes
For Garnish and Glass Rim
- Coarse salt or sugar for rimming the glass
- Fresh cranberries
- Mint leaves
- Lime wedge or lime wheel (for rimming and garnish)
For Simple Syrup (if making homemade)
- Equal parts sugar and water
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass: Rim your serving glass by rubbing a lime wedge around the edge, then dip it into coarse salt or sugar, depending on your preference. Set the glass aside to let the rim dry and set.
- Make the Simple Syrup: To make your own simple syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat gently until the sugar completely dissolves into the water. Allow the syrup to cool before use.
- Juice the Limes: Squeeze fresh limes to obtain about 1 ounce of fresh lime juice. Fresh juice is essential to achieve the bright, tangy flavor characteristic of a great margarita.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, add 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of triple sec (or orange juice for a lighter option), 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, and 0.5 ounces of simple syrup. Add a handful of ice to chill the mixture.
- Shake It Up: Shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for about 15 seconds, which chills and combines the ingredients thoroughly.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the margarita into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice. For a frozen version, instead blend all the ingredients with ice until smooth and pour into the glass.
- Garnish: Finish the drink by adding a sprig of fresh mint and a few fresh cranberries on top. Optionally, add a lime wheel on the rim or inside the glass for an extra colorful festive accent.
Notes
- Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor; bottled lime juice can alter the taste.
- Adjust the amount of simple syrup to your preferred sweetness level.
- The triple sec can be replaced with orange juice to reduce alcohol content while maintaining citrus flavor.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute tequila and triple sec with orange juice or a non-alcoholic tequila alternative.
- Coarse salt or sugar on the rim enhances the visual appeal and adds a contrasting flavor.
- The simple syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
