To kick off the upcoming holiday season, I’m sharing my cranberry orange margarita recipe. I love cocktail recipes that I can make one at a time or in a batch for a gathering. Be sure to keep this recipe handy for your holiday get-togethers or football parties.
This post is intended for viewers 21 and older. For more drink recipes see my posts Cranberry Old Fashioned and Elderflower Grapefruit Margarita.
October Pinterest Challenge With Cranberries
It’s time for our October Pinterest challenge, and we are diving into cranberries. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for lots of ideas that you can use for the upcoming holiday season.
If this is your first time to join us for a Pinterest challenge, this is how it works. Our host Cindy over at County Road 407, selects a photo for us to recreate, and each participant puts their own spin on the photo.
The exception this time is selecting whatever we want to make with cranberries. It can be something for our decor, a recipe or a craft project.
It’s always entertaining to see what everyone comes up, and I’m sure we’ll have an interesting variety with our theme this month. Be sure to click through all the links at the end of the post.
Welcome to Thistle Key Lane! If you’re stopping by from my friend Marty of A Stroll Thru Life, I’m so happy you’re here! I’m loving Marty’s holiday ideas for decorating and baking with cranberries. Her cranberry almond cake looks divine!
Well, are you already thinking about what you want to make with cranberries? I have to admit I had a real hard time narrowing down the cranberry recipe choices spinning around in my head.
Just for fun, I decided on a holiday cocktail with a spin on the classic margarita.
For this recipe you can use fresh or frozen cranberries. The only down side of using frozen cranberries, is that they are not firm enough to use as a garnish on a cocktail pick. Other than that, they perform the same in this recipe.
Cranberry Orange Margarita Recipe
- 2 oz. tequila (Patrón Reposado a current favorite)
- 1 oz. orange liqueur (Cointreau)
- 1 oz. cranberry simple sugar (see recipe below)
- Orange slice or rosemary garnish (optional)
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for about 20 seconds then strain into a salt rimmed glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish with cranberry ice cubes and an orange slice or a sprig of rosemary.
The easiest way to salt the rim of a glass is to take a slice of orange and run it around the rim. Invert the glass into a saucer of salt, and then it will stick to the juice.
As much as I hate to admit it, I prefer making margaritas without the salt rim. So I say, make it like you like it, and I won’t tell. 😉
Cranberry Simple Syrup
- 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- First bring water, sugar and cranberries to a boil, then immediately reduce to medium low. Simmer for about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Next remove from heat and pour through a mesh strainer into a bowl or large measuring cup.
- Allow the simple syrup to cool completely. Store in a glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator.
Make your cranberry simple syrup before your next get-together, so you are ready in a moments notice to serve cocktails.
Cranberry Ice Cubes
Using an ice tray, place three to four cranberries in each section and top with water. For this recipe, I’m using a small silicone ice tray with square sections.
Additionally you can mix little sprigs of rosemary with the cranberries to change up the presentation. I’m kicking myself for not thinking of that earlier LOL!
Make A Batch
When making a batch of cranberry orange margaritas, remember to use two parts tequila, to one part orange liquor and one part cranberry simple syrup. Next time you’re preparing for a get-together, you can make a batch earlier in the day. Then place it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Remember for the best tasting cocktails use premium liquors and the freshest ingredients. Your guests are sure to appreciate your excellent mixology skills.
CRANBERRY ORANGE MARGARITA RECIPE
Ingredients
- 2 oz. tequila Patrón Reposado a current favorite
- 1 oz. orange liqueur Cointreau
- 1 oz. cranberry simple sugar see recipe below
- Orange slice or sprig of rosemary
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for about 20 seconds then strain into a salt rimmed glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish with cranberry ice cubes and an orange slice or a sprig of rosemary.
CRANBERRY SIMPLE SYRUP
Ingredients
- 2 cups cranberries fresh or frozen
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- First bring water, sugar and cranberries to a boil, then immediately reduce to medium low. Simmer for about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Next remove from heat and pour through a mesh strainer into a bowl or large measuring cup.
- Allow the simple syrup to cool completely. Store in a glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with recipe ideas that you can use right now!
Now I’m sending you over to Peacock Ridge Farm. We are so excited that Renae is joining us, so please click over to give her a warm welcome!
Cheers!
Our Pinterest Challenge Continues…
©2022 Cranberry Orange Margarita Recipe post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane.
HI Michelle, Thank you for replying to my email. The irony is we had very similar ideas (I posted mine today because it was already written). As always your photos are amazing! Pinned yours! xo laura
Thank you Laura for stopping by and pinning! I’ll pop over later to read your post. 😊
You even made your own cranberry simple sugar?! You amaze me. Not only do your recipes sound delicious ( and I don’t even like margs) but your photos are stunning as well. I need to visit and take a class from you – cooking AND photography! Thanks for sharing this and joining the PC. Always enjoy seeing what you come up with. You never disappoint! pinned.
Thank you so much Cindy! I love food photography, because basically I love to eat! They just go hand in hand! BTW the variety of posts this time were just fantastic, and everyone did an amazing job, including you! Hugs!
Beautiful presentation and such a fun twist on a classic drink!
Thanks Lora! I love using my amateur bartending skills LOL!
Michelle, thank you so much for the warm welcome. Your cocktail sounds delicious! It’s so pretty, as well. Perfect for the holidays!
Michelle,
This looks so pretty and good. I love a great looking festive cocktail. My husband and I have started this “cocktails on the veranda” around 6 a lot of nights since we became empty nesters in September. We’ve had a lot of fun trying new drinks. I can’t wait to try yours! I guess we will have to come up with a new location and name soon when the temps don’t allow the veranda. Ha, ha!
There is no doubt that being empty nesters has its advantages, and it sounds like you are settling in perfectly. Enjoy the recipe and keep that cranberry simple syrup on hand for those impromptu cocktails!
I’m not a big drinker, but I do enjoy a margarita and your cranberry version looks and sounds SO good Michelle!
Thanks Cindy! Yes, a good margarita is hard to resist even this cranberry version. 😉
Oh, I bet these margaritas are good, Michelle!! Fun idea to share when company comes over for dinner. Pinned, as always. <3
Thanks for the recipe and happy fall to you,
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Thank you Barb! They were a big hit and everyone loved them last year!
I love this idea. This sounds so good. I think this is the perfect drink to have ready for guests and the color is amazing too. Thanks for the recipe.
Thank you Marty! The pretty cranberry color is one of the reasons why I wanted to make this cocktail for the PC! It really puts me in a festive mood!
This looks so amazing!! I can’t wait to try it and share with my family and friends! I love that you did the ice cubes too!
Thank you Kristin! I can’t wait to make these margaritas again, but with fresh cranberries. They are just so pretty!
You’re talking my language,Michelle! I love a good cocktail, and this one is so pretty. Love the cranberry ice cubes! Pinned.
Thank you Niky! The secret is making the cranberry simple syrup ahead, so you can mix up some cocktails at a moments notice!
Michelle, this margarita is so pretty. We always have simple syrup on hand for cocktails. I love the idea of adding cranberries to make a red version for the holidays. Perfect for this time of year.
You’re going to love this holiday version Carol, especially with your delicious appetizers!
Yum! This looks like such a pretty and flavorful holiday drink! I am looking forward to giving it a try! It is always so much fun to hop with you. Wishing you a wonderful week!
Thank you Lynne! Great to hop with you too! This was an exceptionally good PC with the variety of pretty cranberry posts. 😊
This looks like something I need to try Michelle. I can’t wait to try it this holiday season. I can’t wait to share this on my Saltwater Sounds wrap-up this week.
Thank you so much Kim! I hope you’ll enjoy the recipe. Cheers! 😊
This festive cocktail is on my Must Try List over the holidays. It sounds delicious! PS I’m with you on the unsalted rim 😉
Thank you Marie! I really hope you will enjoy the recipe. Hold the salt LOL!
Michelle this looks delicious! So festive for Thanksgiving or Christmas!
What a beautiful holiday cocktail! So festive! I am excited to feature your post at this week’s Tuesday Turn About link party. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you Lynne! I’m so excited that you are featuring my post this week!