Festive Cranberry Thanksgiving Margaritas
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Keep your guests happy and your sanity intact with these sweet and tangy Cranberry Thanksgiving Margaritas. A perfect pre-dinner cocktail or Turkey Dinner accompaniment.
Well, it’s that time of year again…the family gathering of the year is upon us. A time to express our gratitude and stuff ourselves fuller than the Turkey on the table. Whether you are the host with the most or the invited guest, these Cranberry Thanksgiving Margaritas are a cinch to serve (or take along).
And if your Aunts 2nd cousin snubs their nose at Tequila, you can try to tame the beast with a Spiced Pomegranate Rum Sour or a mouthwatering Cranberry Cinnamon Whiskey Sour.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
It’s quick, it’s easy, and it gives a tangy sweet cranberry kick to an already well-loved cocktail. Cranberries are an integral part of Thanksgiving and incorporating them into your cocktails is a fun way to use this seasonal fruit in more than just the sauce.
Ingredients needed for Cranberry Thanksgiving Margaritas:
- Tequila. Espolón tequila is my go-to, and I prefer Blanco for margaritas.
- Orange Liqueur. Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or Triple Sec will all work.
- Cranberry Juice. This must be 100% pure cranberry juice and unsweetened.
- Lime Juice. Fresh squeezed is preferred, but you can get away with high-quality bottled lime juice if you’re in a pinch. I really like Nellie & Joe’s Key West Lime Juice.
- Simple Syrup. Maple syrup can also be used but will of course add a different flavor to the mix.
- Orange Bitters.
- Fresh Cranberries. I like to freeze them ahead of time…they look lovely when they are frosty and help keep the drink chilled.
- Thyme. This is an optional garnish.
Tools you will need:
- Boston Shaker. I love this shaker from Cocktail Kingdom.
- Measuring Jigger. These are my favorite jiggers that I have been using for years. They come in several finishes and are a great quality.
- Cocktail Strainer. A necessary tool for any bar.
- A margarita glass, a double old-fashioned glass, or a pretty stemmed goblet looks nice too. I am using the Hatch short cocktail glass from Crate & Barrel. I love these glasses as they are both sturdy and stackable.
How to make Cranberry Thanksgiving Margaritas:
- Combine all ingredients except the cranberries and orange bitters into a mixing glass with cubed ice.
- Shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice.
- Add 3-4 drops of Orange Bitters.
- Garnish with frozen cranberries on top and a sprig of Thyme if desired.
- Cheers!
Cranberry Thanksgiving Margaritas for a crowd:
To make a large batch for a thirsty crowd…first, multiply the ingredients by the number of drinks you want to serve. For a group of 8 people, you would need 16 oz. of Tequila, 16 oz. of cranberry juice, 4 oz. of Orange Liqueur, 4 oz. of lime juice, and 8 oz. of simple syrup (or more to taste). Combine all ingredients in a pitcher with 1 cup of ice and stir vigorously. Pour over fresh ice and add the garnish.
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Can I make this cocktail ahead of time?
Being able to make dishes the day before Thanksgiving is essential at my house, and thankfully this drink is super easy to make ahead and enjoy later. Simply add all ingredients to a pitcher (don’t add any ice yet) and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge until ready to serve. When ready to serve add ice, mix well, and pour over fresh ice.
Can you make this a frozen Margarita?
Yes! If you prefer a frozen version, this can easily be done by adding all ingredients to a blender with ice. For 4 drinks you’d need 2 cups of ice. You can scale this up or down as needed.
How about a Cranberry Thanksgiving Mocktail?
If you have some guests who prefer not to imbibe or need something special for the kiddos, this quick recipe will be a hit and looks just as festive.
Ingredients for a single serving:
- 2 oz. 100% Cranberry Juice
- ½ oz. Lime Juice
- ½ oz. Simple Syrup (or more, to taste)
- Ginger Ale
Instructions:
Add all ingredients except Ginger Ale to your mixing glass and shake with ice. Pour unstrained into your glass and top off with the ginger ale. Garnish with frozen cranberries.
More Seasonal Sips:
- Delicious Apple Cinnamon Bourbon Sour
- Festive Aperol Gin Cinnamon Spritz Cocktail
- Delicious Cranberry Old Fashioned
- Easy Spiced Pomegranate Rum Sour Cocktail
Cranberry Thanksgiving Margaritas
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Tequila
- 1/2 oz. Orange Liqueur
- 2 oz. 100% Cranberry Juice (unsweetened)
- 1 oz. Simple Syrup You can also use Maple Syrup
- 1/2 oz. Fresh squeezed Lime Juice
- Orange Bitters
- Fresh Cranberries Rinsed and then frozen
- Thyme Sprig optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the cranberries and orange bitters into a mixing glass with cubed ice.
- Shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice.
- Add 3-4 drops of Orange Bitters.
- Garnish with frozen cranberries on top and a sprig of Thyme if desired.