Go Back

Spiced Christmas Margarita

A festive, deeply flavorful holiday cocktail featuring tequila, tart cranberry, and a homemade spiced simple syrup, finished with a beautiful cinnamon-sugar rim.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 1 Cocktail
Course: Cocktails, Drinks
Cuisine: Holiday, Mexican
Calories: 240
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Spiced Simple Syrup
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks
  • 1 tsp whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise pods
Margarita & Rim
  • 2 oz Tequila Blanco or Reposado
  • 1 oz 100% cranberry juice unsweetened
  • 1 oz Orange Liqueur Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz spiced simple syrup from recipe above
  • 2 tbsp coarse salt for rim
  • 2 tbsp coarse raw sugar for rim
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon for rim
  • 1 wedge lime to moisten rim

Equipment

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Jigger
  • Small Saucepan
  • Rocks Glass

Method
 

  1. To make the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise. Simmer over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Let steep for 15 minutes, cool, and strain.
  2. Prepare the rim: On a small plate, mix coarse salt, raw sugar, and ground cinnamon. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your serving glass and roll it in the spice mixture.
  3. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
  4. Pour the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz of the prepared spiced syrup into the shaker.
  5. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the shaker is well-chilled.
  6. Fill your rimmed glass with fresh ice and strain the cocktail over the ice.
  7. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve immediately.

Notes

Leftover spiced simple syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and is great in coffee or tea!