Description
This Festive Spiced Christmas Margarita is a delightful holiday twist on the classic margarita, blending warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice with the tangy freshness of lime and cranberry juice. Perfectly balanced with agave syrup and rimmed with cinnamon sugar, this cocktail offers a cozy, festive flavor that’s sure to brighten any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Margarita
- 2 ounces tequila (or non-alcoholic tequila)
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ounce orange liqueur (or orange syrup)
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- a pinch of nutmeg
- a dash of allspice
- 1/2 ounce agave syrup (or chosen sweetener)
For the Glass Rim
- Salt or sugar for rimming mixed with a pinch of cinnamon
- 1 lime wedge (for rimming)
For Garnish
- Lime wheel
- Pinch of cinnamon (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass: Start by rimming your glass. Rub a lime wedge all around the rim to moisten it, then dip the rim into a mixture of sugar and a pinch of cinnamon, coating it evenly for a festive and flavorful touch.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 ounces of tequila (or non-alcoholic tequila), 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, 1 ounce of orange liqueur (or orange syrup), and 1 ounce of cranberry juice. This mixture forms the flavorful base of your cocktail.
- Add the Spices: Sprinkle in 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and a dash of allspice. These warm spices add a holiday flair and complexity to the margarita. Adjust the amount to taste if you prefer it spicier.
- Sweeten to Taste: Add 1/2 ounce of agave syrup or your chosen sweetener. Mix gently to blend the sweetness evenly throughout the drink. You can adjust to your preference.
- Shake It Up: Fill the shaker with ice, cover it securely, and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and nicely combined.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the chilled margarita into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim and sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for that extra festive look and flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use non-alcoholic tequila and orange syrup for a mocktail version.
- Adjust the level of spices to suit your taste for a milder or more pronounced festive flavor.
- To add an extra holiday touch, consider adding a cinnamon stick as a garnish.
- Make sure to use fresh lime juice for the best citrus flavor.
- If preferred, rim the glass with salt or sugar according to your taste; the cinnamon addition enhances the festive flair.
