If you love cranberries like I do and let’s not forget tequila, then you’ll love this spunky blend. One look at this gorgeous red cocktail dressed up with a crystallized cranberry swizzle stick and you’ll say, “H-O-L-A Margarita!”
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar in the orange juice. Add the cranberries and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Set aside and let it cool. Blend cranberries in a blender, then strain to make the puree
In a shaker add crushed ice, 1 1/2 ounces of tequila, 1/2 ounce of Grand Marnier, 1 1/2 ounces of cranberry puree and shake to mix.
Pour drink into a sugar-rimmed glass. Add a cranberry swizzle stick for garnish.
Cranberry Swizzle Sticks:
Skewer several cranberries onto 10 skewer sticks but leave enough skewer exposed on one end. Lightly brush each cranberry skewer with Karo syrup and then sprinkle granulated sugar over the cranberry skewers. Place the cranberry swizzle sticks on wax paper and place in the freezer to set.
Virgin Cranberry Cider:
Replace the tequila and Grand Marnier with 2 ounces of sparkling cider.
Notes
Shortcut: Want a quick cranberry margarita? Replace cranberry puree with bottled cranberry juice.
Mocktail/Virgin option: replace the tequila and Grand Marnier with 2 ounces of sparkling cider.
No cocktail shaker? Use a spill-proof, to-go coffee mug or mason jar.
Cranberry Margarita Pitcher: To make 8 servings, mix together in a pitcher: 1 ½ cups cranberry juice or cranberry puree, 1 ½ cups tequila, 1 cup Grand Marnier, and ½ cup orange juice. Serve over ice.