Introduction

This festive Christmas Margarita is a delightful twist on the classic cocktail, featuring vibrant pomegranate and orange juices with warm cinnamon notes. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it offers a refreshing and colorful drink to celebrate the season.

A short glass filled with a reddish-brown drink packed with small ice cubes shows three main layers: a thick lower layer of dark reddish brown liquid, a middle layer of reddish liquid with crushed ice, and a top layer of crushed ice with bright red pomegranate seeds and a small orange slice. The glass rim is coated with a granulated sugar rim, and a green rosemary sprig stands upright inside the drink. The glass is set on a white marbled surface scattered with crushed ice and small rosemary sprigs. In the background, blurred similar drinks with pomegranate seeds and an orange slice can be seen. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/3 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 oz. reposado tequila
3/4 oz. Grand Marnier
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar Rim:

2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Garnish:

Rosemary sprig
Orange slices
Pomegranate arils
Ginger beer (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the cinnamon sugar rim by mixing the sugar and cinnamon together in a small bowl wide enough to dip your glass.
Step 2: Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass to moisten it, then gently dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat it evenly. Set the glass aside.
Step 3: In a cocktail shaker, combine ice cubes, pomegranate juice, orange juice, maple syrup, reposado tequila, Grand Marnier, and ground cinnamon.
Step 4: Shake vigorously until well combined and chilled.
Step 5: Fill the prepared glass with crushed ice and strain the margarita mixture over the ice.
Step 6: Top the drink with ginger beer for a bubbly finish.
Step 7: Garnish with a rosemary sprig, an orange slice, and a few pomegranate arils for a festive look.

Tips & Variations

Use fresh pomegranate and orange juices for the brightest flavors.
Adjust the maple syrup quantity to taste for more or less sweetness.
For a non-alcoholic version, omit the tequila and Grand Marnier, and increase the ginger beer amount.
Try rimming the glass with lime and salt instead of cinnamon sugar for a more traditional margarita flavor.

Storage

This cocktail is best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store the margarita mixture (without ginger beer and ice) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake or stir well before serving and add fresh ice, ginger beer, and garnish.

How to Serve

A short clear glass holds a reddish-pink drink filled with small ice cubes. The rim of the glass is coated with light brown sugar crystals, giving it a rough texture. The drink is garnished with a small bright orange slice and a sprig of green rosemary standing upright on one side. Scattered on top of the ice inside the glass are shiny, red pomegranate seeds. The glass sits on crushed ice over a white marbled surface with a soft, blurred background showing other similar glasses and red berries. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of tequila for this recipe?

Yes, reposado tequila is recommended for its smooth and slightly aged flavor, but you can substitute blanco tequila for a lighter taste or añejo for a richer profile.

What can I use instead of Grand Marnier?

If you don’t have Grand Marnier, you can substitute with another orange-flavored liqueur such as Cointreau or triple sec, which will maintain the citrus sweetness in the cocktail.