Winter Cocktails: Cranberry Margaritas

The perfect winter margarita has all the flavors of the season.  Cranberry juice and citrus flavors create a bold flavored cocktail to enjoy all winter long!

Cranberry Margaritas

Everyone loves a good margarita and having one that is quick an easy AND reminds you of the season/holidays is a bonus.  These come together in no time.  They are easy to make one glass at a time or in a pitcher for a crowd.

I like my margaritas on the rocks with no salt.  Feel free to blend these up in a blender for frozen style margaritas and to salt or sugar the rims of your glasses if you would like.  We threw these together while decorating our Christmas tree this year and had them again on New Year's day.  We are having friends over for a little dinner this weekend and I'll be serving these along with some appetizers before the meal.  They really are good!   Be sure to read my tips below for suggestions on the cranberry juice.

Enjoy!

P.S.  I really need help in shooting drink pictures...these are horrible!  Anyone have some foolproof tips?

What Ingredients do I need?

• Cranberry juice - I would choose a sweetened one instead of pure juice.  It could be a little tart and then you would need to add some sugar to the drink.

• Ice - for on the rock or frozen versions ice is key

• Tequila - either a silver or blanco tequila will work best.  I use Casamigos blanco.

• Orange liqueur - Grand Marnier or Triple Sec both work well.

• Limes - fresh lime juice is best

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• Cranberry Juice - I would choose your favorite, and one that is sweetened.  Pure cranberry juice is very tart and your drink will need added sugar.  

• Try a cranberry juice blend such as cranberry raspberry or cranberry pomegranate for a twist on the flavor.

• You can salt or sugar the rim of your glass if you choose.  Rub the outside rim of a glass with a lime wedge and dip it in the salt or sugar that has been placed on a plate.  Here is a nice chunky salt.

• Garnish your drink with a lime wedge, orange wedge, or float some cranberries.

• You can mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker if you like and them pour them all in a glass, or mix it straight in the glass.

• Increase the ingredients to make a pitcher of margaritas.

• A shot glass is handy for measuring ounces.  I use this one.

• Consider some fun margarita glasses like this one or this one.

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Cranberry Margaritas

serving:  1


ice
2/3 -1 cup cranberry juice
1 oz lime juice or the juice of 1/2 lime
1.5 - 2 oz silver tequila
1/2 oz Triple Sec or Grand Marnier


In a glass combine all ingredients and stir to combine.  

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Apple Cider Sangria

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Want to discover the BEST fall sipping drink ever?

APPLE CIDER SANGRIA

Yes, this has got to be the best festive fall adult drink around.  Sangria is a classic cocktail that will serve a crowd.  This version puts a spin on the original and gives you warm and fruity autumn flavors.   In fact, I served this at our Thanksgiving bash and it was such a hit that we made more the next day!  Even though it is close to Christmas I still wanted to share this with you because this would be a PERFECT holiday drink.  It's still apple season and why not take advantage of it.  I like to make use of all the specialty varieties before they are gone.  Go forth I say, drink and be merry!

The best part is this sangria is it's infused with a combination of in-season apples and ginger.  Fragrant, light, and refreshing, this drink will remind you of a fresh picked apple with a little zing to it!

I used an Italian Pinot Grigio (Ruffino) for the wine as a base.  Then I added apple vodka, (great for apple martinis...) apple cider, plenty of fresh cut apples, then topped it with some ginger ale for sparkle.  No extra added sugar here, this is sweet enough with the cider.  

The assembly is quick.  You only need a nice glass pitcher to show off the pretty colors and fruit.  Mix it up just before adding the ginger ale and place it in the refrigerator to meld together.  Then top it with ginger ale just before serving.  

This truly is an amazing drink.  I hope that you will try this over the holiday season and come back and let me know what you think.

Enjoy!

Apple Cider Sangria

adapted from Home is Where the Boat Is

2 – 3 apples, diced ( I used 1 green - Golden Delicious and 2 red - Jazz)

1 bottle Pinot Grigio, (such as Ruffino)
1 cup Apple Cider
1/2 cup Apple Vodka (such as New Amsterdam)

1 can Diet Ginger Ale 

Dice the apples and add them to a large glass pitcher. Add in the wine, apple cider and vodka. Stir to combine.  Refrigerate at least 1-2 hours.

Add chilled ginger ale to the pitcher just before serving.  Stir to combine.  Add fruit to the glasses and fill with sangria.