Christmas Margarita
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 18% ABV ∙
A Christmas Margarita is a shaken Margarita of reposado tequila, triple sec, falernum, lime, and cranberry juice, served up in a coupe.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Tequila reposado 45 mlTriple sec 20 mlFalernum liqueur 10 mlLime juice 20 mlCranberry juice 15 mlAngostura aromatic bitters 2 dashes (opt.)
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail
- Garnish with an orange twist and a rosemary sprig
Tips
- Shake hard on fresh cubed ice for a full 12-15 seconds, with the bitters in if you use them, then fine strain into the chilled coupe.
- The cranberry is there for color and a soft berry note, nothing more; pour extra and the drink goes sweet and you lose the lime.
History
The Christmas Margarita is a seasonal riff on the Margarita that adds falernum and cranberry to the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime formula.
The Margarita's own origin is disputed and generally dated to the late 1930s and 1940s. Most historians trace it to the older Daisy family (margarita is Spanish for "daisy"), and the first known printed recipe under the name appeared in Esquire magazine in December 1953.
FAQ
What's in a Christmas Margarita?
Reposado tequila (45 ml), triple sec (20 ml), falernum liqueur (10 ml), fresh lime juice (20 ml), and sweetened cranberry juice (15 ml). Two dashes of Angostura bitters are optional. The cranberry gives the red color and the falernum a warm spice.
What type of tequila is best for a Christmas Margarita?
Reposado, which is what this recipe uses. Its light oak aging gives a softer, slightly spiced flavor that suits the falernum and cranberry better than a sharper blanco would.
Is a Christmas Margarita shaken or stirred?
Shaken. Lime and cranberry juice need a hard shake on fresh ice, a full 12-15 seconds, to chill and mix before you fine-strain the drink into the coupe.
What glass is a Christmas Margarita served in?
A coupe glass, served up with no ice, garnished with an orange twist and a rosemary sprig.
