Description
Spiced Christmas Margarita — a festive, cozy twist on the classic margarita that pairs tart pomegranate and bright citrus with warming holiday spices.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz tequila (blanco/silver; Patron Silver suggested)
- 2.5 oz pomegranate juice
- 2 oz fresh orange or tangerine juice
- 1/2 oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 1 tbsp honey (warmed slightly to loosen, if needed)
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional — for a tiny kick)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (for garnish)
- Ginger beer, to top (optional)
Cinnamon-Sugar Rim
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Make the rim: stir coarse sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne in a shallow dish. Run a tangerine or orange wedge around the rim of a rocks glass, then press the rim into the sugar mixture. Fill the glass with ice and set aside.
- Build the cocktail: add pomegranate juice, orange juice, tequila, orange liqueur, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, and a small pinch of cayenne into a cocktail shaker.
- Chill and shake: add ice, cap the shaker, and shake hard for about 12–15 seconds until very cold.
- Strain: strain the drink into the prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Finish (optional): top with a splash of ginger beer for effervescence.
- Garnish: tuck in a rosemary sprig and a cinnamon stick for aroma and holiday flair.
Notes
- If your honey is thick, warm it briefly so it blends easily.
- Start with a tiny pinch of cayenne; you can always add more heat, but you can’t take it away.
- Use freshly squeezed orange or tangerine juice for the brightest flavor.
- To batch for a crowd, multiply the juices, spices, and sweetener, keep chilled, and add tequila and liqueur just before serving.