It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year. Wreaths are popping up on every other door, coffee shops have rolled out their holiday-themed drink menus, and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has made its annual return on playlists across the country.
We all know the holidays are the busiest time of year for hosting, and chances are, you may be looking for a few appropriately festive drink recipes to serve at parties and gatherings. While eggnog and mulled wine are perfectly good options, you can’t go wrong with a good ol’ margarita to spice up your holiday festivities.
We know what you’re thinking. You might associate margaritas with the summertime; most people can easily picture a frozen Marg set against a beachy backdrop, accompanied by a big plate of tacos. Something about the combination of tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice makes for a perfect beverage to enjoy in the sunshine. Plus, the salt rim makes the cocktail so much more refreshing.
While this is all true, margaritas can be enjoyed just as much in the colder weather, especially when they feature all the classic flavors of the holidays. You’d be surprised at how Christmasy ingredients like cranberries, pears, and cinnamon can take a classic Marg to a whole new level.
Whether you’re hosting a big party or having a more intimate gathering, prepare for an unforgettable party thanks to these holiday-themed margarita recipes. There are options for everyone, ranging from a citrusy, refreshing cocktail to a sweet beverage made with crushed peppermint and vanilla ice cream. And don’t worry, for my spicy margarita girlies, there’s a recipe here that you’ll surely love. Regardless of whichever recipe you decide on, just be sure to make a big batch, because your guests will be coming back for more.
Prickly Pear Margarita
Image Credit: Mitten Girl
Prickly pears are available from late summer to early winter, so now’s your last chance (until next summer) to drink with the seasons. This Prickly Pear Margarita from Mitten Girl combines silver tequila, lime juice, prickly pear liqueur, triple sec, and simple syrup for a floral, fresh drink to savor this holiday season. (P.S. If you were hoping to use the actual fruit, you could always make your own Prickly Pear simple syrup to mix in the drink, too.)
The key to a great margarita is to use a high-quality tequila, and LALO’s Blanco Tequila is our favorite. It’s balanced, smooth, and everything you could want in a bottle of the agave-based spirit.
Sonoma Syrup Co Classic Simple Syrup
While its pretty easy to whip up your own classic simple syrup, you could always save a little time and buy it at most stores. Although, this one from Sonoma Syrup Co is top knotch, without any artifical colors or flavors.
Christmas Margarita
Image Credit: Shutter + Mint
Craving something sweet? This Christmas Margarita from Shutter + Mint blends blanco tequila, vanilla ice cream, and simple syrup to create a creamy, mouthwatering dessert. Garnish with crushed peppermint and fresh cranberries for the ultimate holiday treat.
Atkinson’s Mint Twists Crushed Peppermint Candy (1 Bag 8 oz)
You could definitely crush peppermint candy yourself, but if you’re lazy (like me) this pre-crushed variety
from Atkinson’s is the way to go.
Non-Alcoholic Margarita Mocktail
Image Credit: Mitten Girl
If you’re seeking a booze-free version of the classic cocktail everyone knows and loves, this Non-Alcoholic Margarita Mocktail from Mitten Girl will be your go-to recipe. Simply combine lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, and orange flower water to make a delicious family-friendly bevy.
Fee Brothers Orange Flower Botanical Water
On Sale 20% off
If you’ve ever made a mocktail and felt like it was missing something, here’s your solution. This Orange Flower Water
is distilled from orange blossoms, adding a bright botanical flavor to any beverage.
Ginger Pear Margarita
Image Credit: A Cork, Fork, & Passport
This Ginger Pear Margarita from A Cork, Fork, & Passport is the sweet and spicy cocktail of our dreams. To make it, you’ll need silver tequila, gingercello liqueur, canned pears, pear juice, and lemon. Don’t forget to make the sugar, cinnamon, and salt rim–it truly takes the drink to the next level.
Gingercello Liqueur is distilled from fresh ginger and sweet lemon zest, adding a sophisticated, tart twist to any cocktail.
Holiday Margarita
Image Credit: Jam Jar Kitchen
This Holiday Margarita from The Jam Jar Kitchen packs all the classic, tart flavors of the holiday season in a simple yet elegant drink. In addition to tequila Blanco and Cointreau, this cocktail combines lime juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup, and an egg white for a frothy, fruity drink everyone will rave about. Oh and pro tip, you could easily make this a spicy holiday margarita by adding a few slices of jalapeno to your cocktail shaker.
Easy Festive Margarita
Image Credit: The Savy Spoon
This Easy Festive Margarita from The Savvy Spoon is sweet yet tart, offering a unique balance of flavors. With silver tequila, Grand Marnier, pomegranate juice, orange juice, lime juice, and sprinkles of cayenne pepper and cinnamon, this cocktail is perfect for those seeking a sophisticated holiday cocktail that can be whipped up quickly.
365 by Whole Foods Market, Turbinado Sugar
Don’t forget to stock up on Turbinado Sugar
for the perfect margarita rim.
This pack of Cinnamon Sticks comes with just under 60 perfectly-sized ones, so you won’t have to worry about any under-garnished, flavorless cocktails.
Blood Orange Rosemary Margarita
Image Credit: A Cork, Fork, & Passport
With this citrusy fruit in season for winter, there’s no better time to sip on a Blood Orange Rosemary Margarita than right now. With just four ingredients–Tequila Blanco, Triple Sec, freshly squeezed blood oranges, and rosemary sprigs–this recipe from A Cork, Fork, & Passport offers a simple way to enjoy a twist on the classic cocktail.
Monin – Curacao Triple Sec Syrup – 700ml
In case you need to stock up on some Triple Sec syrup
, we suggest this one from Monin. It’s highly rated for a reason!