Go Back
–+ servings
Print

Cranberry Pitcher Margaritas with a Spiced Salty Sugar Rim

These Cranberry Pitcher Margaritas with Spiced Salty Sugar Rim are a super festive holiday cocktail to make for a crowd! The margaritas are made with tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, a touch of freshly squeezed orange juice, and simple syrup! To make them extra special, the glasses get rimmed in a spiced salty sugar. The best kind of holiday cheer!

Course Beverage, Cocktail, Cocktails, Drinks
Keyword christmas cocktail, cranberry cocktail recipe, cranberry margaritas, easy pitcher margarita recipe, festive cocktail, festive holiday cocktail, holiday cocktail, holiday pitcher cocktail, thanksgiving cocktail
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 6 -8
Author Molly | Spices in My DNA

Ingredients

For the margaritas

  • 1 1/2 cups tequila (I use gold tequila)
  • 3/4 cup Grand Marnier*
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice*
  • 2 1/2 cups cranberry juice (not cranberry juice cocktail)
  • 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
  • the simple syrup
  • lime slices for garnish
  • sugared cranberries for garnish (optional)*

For the simple syrup

  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup sugar

For the spiced salty sugar rim

  • 2 tablespoons coarse margarita salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of allspice
  • pinch of ground cloves

Instructions

For the margaritas

  1. To a large pitcher, add the tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, and simple syrup. Stir to combine. Let chill in the fridge until you're ready to serve. To serve, moisten the edge of your glasses with lime and rim in the spiced salty sugar rim. Fill the glasses with crushed ice and pour in the margaritas! Garnish with lime slices and sugared cranberries.

For the simple syrup

  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Once boiling, stir for 30 seconds to ensure sugar is dissolved, then set aside to cool completely.

For the spiced salty sugar

  1. On a small plate, mix together the salt, sugar, and spices until combined.

Recipe Notes

*To make sugared cranberries: Bring 1/2 cup water and ½ cup of sugar to a boil. Once boiling, stir for thirty seconds until dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in 1 bag (12 ounces) fresh cranberries. Stir until completely coated, then transfer to a wire rack to dry for 20 minutes. Add 1 cup sugar to a large bowl and roll the cranberries in the sugar, working in batches. Transfer back to the rack, and let dry for an hour. Store in a cool, dry place.
*If you want to make the margaritas ahead of time, I'd make them and chill the pitcher in the fridge no earlier than the morning of. You can make the simple syrup and the spiced salty sugar several days in advance though!
*I prefer Grand Marnier over other orange liqueurs, but Triple Sec or Cointreau will work here!
*Since you'll be using a lot of limes, I'd highly recommend using a citrus juicer like this one here!