Go Back
Sibby Barrett

Cranberry Margaritas

Yet one more way to use cranberries! I always buy extra bags of cranberries at holiday time to keep in the freezer, they store very well. This makes such a festive drink for the holidays but refreshing and bright for any time of the year.
Print Recipe
Cranberry Simple Syrup 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Drinks, cocktails
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Cranberry Simple Syrup
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries about 6 ounces
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Cranberry Cocktail
  • 24 ounces Cranberry Simple Syrup 6 oz for rimming, 18 oz for drinks
  • 24 ounces blanco tequila 3 cups
  • 18 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice 1 ¼ cup
  • 6 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Mariner
  • 24-35 cranberries for garnish optional
  • lime wedges for garnish optional
  • sugar or salt for rimming

Method
 

Cranberry Simple Syrup
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring water, sugar, maple syrup, cranberries and salt to a simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar. Mash cranberries with a masher or wooden spoon and cook for about 3 minutes. Cover and let steep for about 3 additional minutes. Pour mixture through a fine strainer, discarding solids. Store in a glass containers and cool completely before using. Can be made several days before using.
Cocktail
  1. Ahead of time, lightly moisten garnish cranberries with water or the syrup and roll in a bit of sugar. Spread out onto a plate and set aside to dry. This can be done a day ahead of time. Store chilled.
    Pour about 6 ounces of the Cranberry Simple Syrup into a deep saucer. Dip rims of wide mouthed cocktail glasses into the syrup and then into sugar or salt to rim glasses. Set aside to set. I like to set my aside in the freezer.
    Fill a pitcher with 2 ¼ cups of the Cranberry Simple Syrup, tequila, lime juice and liqueur. Stir and chill. Fill rimmed glasses with crushed ice and pour cocktails over ice. Skewer 2-3 of the sugared cranberries on long toothpicks and garnish cocktails. Finish with a lime wedge.