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Spiced Christmas Margarita

Featured in Refreshing Drinks for Every Occasion.

This holiday margarita is the perfect festive twist on the classic cocktail - it combines all those traditional margarita flavors with seasonal additions like ruby-red pomegranate, warm cinnamon, and spicy ginger that make it taste like Christmas in a glass! The spiced sugar rim adds this amazing sweet heat that makes every sip special, and I love that there's a mocktail version so everyone can enjoy it. The deep red color from the pomegranate makes it look so festive, and the combination of flavors creates this perfect balance of sweet, tart, and warming spices!
A smiling woman in an apron poses for a selfie in a professional kitchen.
Updated on Tue, 14 Jan 2025 21:02:41 GMT
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A festive cocktail garnished with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and pomegranate seeds, served in a glass with a sugared rim. Pin it
A festive cocktail garnished with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, and pomegranate seeds, served in a glass with a sugared rim. | tastygusto.com

My Whoville Christmas Margarita started as a happy accident one holiday season. I was playing around with pomegranate juice and tequila when inspiration struck. Now this spicy sweet cocktail brings the magic to all our holiday parties. The blend of warm spices with citrus and pomegranate creates something truly special. My friends start asking for it as soon as December rolls around.

Everything in Your Bar Cart

  • Fresh pomegranate juice: The gorgeous color sets the festive mood.
  • Sweet orange juice: Freshly squeezed makes all the difference.
  • Good tequila: Use one you enjoy drinking on its own.
  • Orange liqueur: Adds that perfect holiday warmth.
  • Local honey: Just a touch of sweetness.
  • Pure vanilla: Makes everything taste cozy.
  • Warming spices: Cinnamon and ginger bring the comfort.
  • Spicy cayenne: Adds an unexpected kick.
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs: Smells like Christmas trees.
  • Cold ginger beer: The fizzy finish makes it special.
  • Sweet spicy rim: Cinnamon sugar with a touch of heat.

Tools From My Kitchen

  • Pretty glasses: I use my grandmother's old margarita glasses for extra sparkle.
  • Cocktail shaker: A mason jar works perfectly if you don't have one.
  • Big punch bowl: My vintage one comes out for holiday parties.
  • Simple whisk: For mixing up that spicy sugar rim.
  • Small plate: Makes rimming glasses so much easier.

Making Your Margarita

Start with the Base
Pour your juices and spirits into your shaker. I add a spoonful of honey to balance everything out beautifully.
Spice It Up
This is where the magic happens. Add those warming spices and a sprig of rosemary. The aroma is incredible.
Shake Your Heart Out
Give everything a good shake with ice until the outside gets frosty.
Sugar and Spice Rim
Mix up that cinnamon sugar cayenne blend on a plate. Run a lime around your glass rim and dip.
The Final Touch
Pour your margarita over ice, top with cold ginger beer, and add those pretty garnishes.

Party Perfect Options

Sometimes my non-drinking friends want to join the fun too. I skip the alcohol and add extra juice with a splash of lime. For big holiday gatherings, I mix up a huge batch in my punch bowl. Everyone loves serving themselves and adding their own ginger beer on top.

Why Everyone Loves This Drink

I created this margarita for people who want something different during the holidays. The mix of sweet, tart, and spicy flavors feels so festive. My sister says it tastes like Christmas in a glass. That fizzy ginger beer on top with the spicy sweet rim makes everyone smile when they take their first sip. The rosemary garnish looks like tiny Christmas trees.

Keeping Extra Mix Fresh

Sometimes I make extra mix for unexpected holiday visitors. Just keep it in the fridge without ice for a couple of days. Give it a good shake before pouring over fresh ice. Remember to add the ginger beer right before serving so it stays nice and bubbly. My neighbors love dropping by for an impromptu cocktail hour during the season.

Plan Ahead for Parties

Holiday hosting gets so much easier when you prep ahead. I mix up big batches of everything except the ginger beer the day before. Store it all in the fridge, then set up a pretty drink station. Let guests add their own ice and ginger beer. This way I get to enjoy the party instead of playing bartender all night.

Making It Your Own

Some nights I play with the spice levels. My husband loves extra cayenne in his while my mom prefers none at all. Try adding different winter spices like nutmeg or cloves. Last Christmas I made a version with star anise that turned out amazing. The recipe is so forgiving you really can't go wrong.

Perfect Party Pairings

This margarita works beautifully with holiday appetizers. I love serving it alongside a cheese board or my spicy shrimp cocktail. Something about the sweet heat pairs perfectly with salty snacks. It's become a staple at our cookie decorating parties too. The adults sip these while the kids enjoy hot chocolate.

A festive cocktail garnished with pomegranate seeds, an orange slice, a sprig of rosemary, and cinnamon sticks, surrounded by oranges and cinnamon on a dark surface. Pin it
A festive cocktail garnished with pomegranate seeds, an orange slice, a sprig of rosemary, and cinnamon sticks, surrounded by oranges and cinnamon on a dark surface. | tastygusto.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How can I make this non-alcoholic?
Omit tequila and orange liquor, replace with 2 additional tablespoons pomegranate juice and 1 tablespoon orange juice for a festive mocktail.
→ Is the ginger beer necessary?
Ginger beer is optional but adds a nice spicy effervescence to the drink. The cocktail is delicious with or without it.
→ Can I prepare this for a crowd?
Yes, multiply ingredients by number of servings needed. Prepare rim mixture and garnishes in advance, mix drinks just before serving.
→ What type of tequila works best?
Silver or blanco tequila works best as its clean flavor allows the fruit and spices to shine through.
→ Can I make this less spicy?
Adjust or omit the cayenne pepper in both drink and rim mixture to reduce heat while maintaining other festive flavors.

Spiced Christmas Margarita

A festive take on a margarita featuring pomegranate juice, citrus, and holiday spices, topped with ginger beer and garnished with rosemary.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes

Category: Drinks & Beverages

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Holiday Cocktail

Yield: 1 Servings (1 cocktail)

Dietary: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 1/3 cup pomegranate juice.
02 1/4 cup tangerine or orange juice.
03 2 ounces tequila.
04 1/2 ounce orange liquor.
05 1-2 tablespoons honey.
06 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.
07 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
08 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger.
09 1 pinch cayenne.
10 1 sprig fresh rosemary.
11 Ginger beer for topping (optional).
12 1 tablespoon coarse sugar.
13 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
14 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
15 1 pinch cayenne pepper.

Instructions

Step 01

Mix sugars, cinnamon and cayenne on plate. Rim glass with citrus then dip in sugar mixture.

Step 02

Combine juices, liquors, honey, spices and rosemary in shaker. Fill with ice and shake 1 minute.

Step 03

Pour into rimmed glass with ice. Top with ginger beer if using.

Step 04

Add pomegranate seeds, cinnamon stick and rosemary sprig.

Notes

  1. Can be made as a mocktail by omitting alcohol.
  2. Adjust honey to taste.
  3. Ginger beer adds optional fizz.

Tools You'll Need

  • Cocktail shaker.
  • Cocktail glass.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 380
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: 45 g
  • Protein: ~