A Mistletoe Margarita So Good You'll Want to Kiss It

This margarita is a festive cocktail that makes us pucker up whether we're under a sprig of mistletoe or not.

Updated February 20, 2024
Mistletoe Margarita

This cocktail is just as sweet on your lips as an unexpected under-the-mistletoe kiss. The mistletoe margarita is a special holiday drink that takes everything you love from the classic and adds a few festive flavors. Dial up the cozy and warm vibes at your next holiday party with a cocktail that absolutely sleighs. 

How to Make a Mistletoe Margarita

The mistletoe margarita gives the traditional 'rita a holiday twist. Rosemary simple syrup and cranberry juice bring out the festive flavors we all look forward to indulging in when the winter weather starts to roll in. 

Ingredients

  • 1¾ ounces tequila
  • 1½ ounces tart cranberry juice
  • ¾ ounce orange liqueur
  • ½ ounce rosemary simple syrup
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Ice
  • Rosemary sprig and lime wheel for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, tart cranberry juice, orange liqueur, rosemary simple syrup, and lime juice.
  2. Shake to chill.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
  4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and a lime wheel.
Need to Know

Even if you're feeling the festive spirit, make sure you don't pop some mistletoe in your margarita. It may look pretty, but it's poisonous.  

5 Variations and Substitutions to Try 

Mistletoe margaritas don't have a set-in-stone recipe. So, there's a ton of room to experiment and see which combinations best fit your unique tastes.

  • Use mezcal instead of tequila, and you'll get a smokier margarita.
  • If mezcal isn't for you, consider using smoked bitters instead. 
  • Likewise, cinnamon, cherry, and rhubarb cocktail bitters are all complementary ingredients you can throw into the mix. 
  • Instead of rosemary simple syrup, consider adding cinnamon, vanilla, cherry, or regular.
  • Swap the lime juice for lemon to get a sweeter punch. 

Party-Ready Garnishes 

No cocktail is complete without a striking garnish. Whether you want to dress your margarita up or down, we've got some great ideas for you. 

  • Use an orange wedge or wheel to up the citrus flavors.
  • Toast your rosemary sprig for a smokier, more savory garnish.
  • Add a new look with a dehydrated citrus wheel, such as lemon, lime, or orange.
  • Pierce several whole fresh cranberries on a cocktail skewer, or elevate it further by weaving in a citrus peel ribbon.

It's the Kind of Kiss We Look Forward To 

Don't spend another holiday season wistfully longing for margaritas and sunshine. Instead, whip up a mistletoe margarita to help soothe away those winter blues. It's the kind of cocktail that your lips will chase after to get just one more taste. 

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A Mistletoe Margarita So Good You'll Want to Kiss It