If you’re looking to wow your holiday guests with something festive, refreshing, and effortlessly delicious, you’re going to love this Mistletoe Margarita Recipe. It’s one of those drinks that instantly makes a gathering feel special with its vibrant color and perfectly balanced flavors. I absolutely love how this margarita blends the tartness of cranberry and lemon with a kick of tequila, softened by orange juice and a splash of 7UP for that festive fizz. Stick around because I’m going to share all my tips on how to get it just right every time, plus some fun twists to make it your own!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Flavorful: The mix of cranberry, orange, and tequila creates a holiday drink that tastes as good as it looks.
- Super Easy to Make: No fancy techniques or special equipment needed—just mix and serve!
- Perfect for a Crowd: The recipe makes enough to serve around 10, so it’s ideal for parties or family gatherings.
- Customizable Garnishes: You can really make it your own with cranberries, fresh rosemary, or even sugared rims.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get this Mistletoe Margarita Recipe just right, you’ll want to gather fresh, chilled juices and quality tequila. The combination of bright citrus and cranberry flavors is both festive and refreshing, while the 7UP adds a subtle sparkle that makes every sip a delight.
- Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed is best if you can, but high-quality store-bought chilled juice works great too.
- Cranberry Juice: Look for 100% juice with no added sugars for a tart punch that balances the sweetness.
- 7UP: Adds the perfect fizzy sweetness to lighten the drink.
- Tequila: I prefer blanco tequila for its clean, crisp flavor, but reposado adds a nice depth if you like it richer.
- Maraschino Cherry Juice: This little addition gives the Mistletoe Margarita a subtle cherry note and a lovely hint of red color.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh is key here to cut through the sweetness and brighten everything up.
- Cranberries and Rosemary Sprigs (optional): These fresh garnishes really bring that holiday vibe and make the drink feel extra special.
Variations
While this Mistletoe Margarita Recipe is fantastic as is, I love experimenting with different flavors and tweaks to suit different occasions or dietary preferences. Feel free to make it your own!
- Mocktail Version: Swap the tequila for extra 7UP or sparkling water for a festive non-alcoholic option that still feels special.
- Spicy Kick: Adding a thin slice of jalapeño to the mix gives the margarita a warming spice that my friends rave about during the winter months.
- Herbal Twist: Infuse your tequila with fresh rosemary or thyme ahead of time for an earthy depth that complements the holiday flavors beautifully.
- Frozen Margarita: Blend the ingredients with ice for a slushy treat — perfect if you’re celebrating somewhere warmer!
How to Make Mistletoe Margarita Recipe
Step 1: Chill Everything Ahead of Time
I always make sure to chill all the juices, tequila, and 7UP well before mixing. This step is crucial because serving your Mistletoe Margarita Recipe cold means you won’t need tons of ice that can water down the flavors. I learned this the hard way once, and my margaritas were too diluted for my taste!
Step 2: Combine All Liquids in a Large Pitcher
Pour your chilled orange juice, cranberry juice, 7UP, tequila, maraschino cherry juice, and lemon juice into a large pitcher or punch bowl. Stir gently but thoroughly to combine all the flavors without losing the bubbly fizz from the 7UP. I like using a wooden spoon because it feels sturdy and gets the job done nicely.
Step 3: Add Ice and Garnish
Fill the pitcher with plenty of ice to keep it chilled without watering down the mix immediately. Then, add a handful of fresh cranberries and a few sprigs of rosemary for that unmistakable holiday look and aroma. Don’t skip the rosemary—I promise it adds a lovely herbal note that makes the margarita extra festive!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy Immediately
The Mistletoe Margarita Recipe is best enjoyed fresh and cold. Pour into salt-rimmed glasses if you like (I often do!), garnish each glass with an extra rosemary sprig or a cherry, and get ready to impress your guests. I often make a big batch for holiday parties and it disappears fast!
Pro Tips for Making Mistletoe Margarita Recipe
- Use Fresh Juices: I discovered fresh-squeezed lemon juice brightens this cocktail like nothing else.
- Chill Ingredients First: Keeping everything cold before mixing helps maintain flavor intensity and fizz.
- Don’t Over-Stir: Gently mix to keep that lovely carbonation from the 7UP intact.
- Avoid Too Much Ice: Add ice to the pitcher, not the glass, to prevent watering down your drink quickly.
How to Serve Mistletoe Margarita Recipe
Garnishes
I love using fresh cranberries and rosemary sprigs as garnishes because they look gorgeous and bring a piney aroma that enhances the experience. Sometimes I rim glasses with salt or sugar and add a cherry on a cocktail pick for a fun touch. These simple additions instantly take the drink from everyday to festive!
Side Dishes
When I serve the Mistletoe Margarita Recipe, I usually pair it with savory holiday appetizers like grilled shrimp skewers, spiced nuts, or a festive cheese board. The tangy, sweet flavors of the margarita complement salty and smoky bites beautifully, making the whole celebration feel perfectly balanced.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I’ve had fun serving this margarita in a clear glass punch bowl filled with frozen cranberries instead of ice cubes, which keep the drink cold without dilution. Adding a sprig of rosemary and a rim of cran-raspberry sugar adds a fancy twist that never fails to impress guests. For smaller gatherings, individual serving pitchers or festive mason jars give a cozy vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in a sealed pitcher or bottle in the fridge. Because this recipe contains 7UP, it’s best to consume leftovers within 24 hours to enjoy that fresh fizz, which tends to fade after a day. Give it a gentle stir before serving again.
Freezing
I personally don’t recommend freezing the Mistletoe Margarita Recipe because the carbonation from the 7UP will be lost, and the texture can get a bit icy. If you want a frozen margarita experience, it’s better to blend fresh for a slushy version right before serving.
Reheating
Since this is a cocktail best served cold, reheating isn’t something I’ve ever needed to do. If you prefer to warm it up for a twist, I’d recommend using a cinnamon-spiced mulled approach instead—otherwise, this drink is fantastic chilled and fresh!
FAQs
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Can I make the Mistletoe Margarita Recipe in smaller batches?
Absolutely! This recipe scales down easily. Just maintain the ratios for each ingredient and adjust based on how many servings you want. Mixing in a shaker or small pitcher works well for single servings.
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What tequila is best for this Mistletoe Margarita Recipe?
Blanco tequila is ideal here because its clean and crisp profile lets the citrus and cranberry flavors shine. But if you want a deeper, warmer flavor, reposado tequila is a great alternative.
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Can I prepare this cocktail in advance?
You can prepare the mixture a few hours ahead and keep it chilled, but add the 7UP and ice just before serving to preserve the carbonation and keep it fresh.
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How can I rim the glasses for serving?
Rim glasses with a mixture of salt and sugar or cranberry sugar for a pretty and tasty finish. Just rub a lemon wedge around the rim and dip into your rim mixture before pouring the margarita.
Final Thoughts
When I first tried this Mistletoe Margarita Recipe, I immediately knew it would become a holiday staple in my home. It’s just so easy, crowd-pleasing, and perfectly festive without being over the top. Whether you’re ringing in the season with friends or just want a cheerful sip by the fire, this margarita delivers every time. Trust me, once you make it, your family and guests will be asking for it year after year—so go ahead and give it a try; you won’t regret it!
Print
Mistletoe Margarita Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
The Mistletoe Margarita is a festive and refreshing holiday cocktail that combines chilled orange juice, cranberry juice, 7UP, tequila, maraschino cherry juice, and lemon juice. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it is served over ice and garnished with cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a seasonal touch.
Ingredients
Liquid Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups orange juice, chilled
- 2 ½ cups cranberry juice, chilled
- 2 cups 7UP, chilled
- 2 cups tequila, chilled
- ½ cup maraschino cherry juice, chilled
- ¼ cup lemon juice
Garnish
- Cranberries (optional)
- Rosemary sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, pour together all the chilled wet ingredients including orange juice, cranberry juice, 7UP, tequila, maraschino cherry juice, and lemon juice over ice.
- Mix Well: Stir the mixture thoroughly with a spoon to blend all the flavors evenly and chill the cocktail perfectly.
- Garnish and Serve: Add cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a festive appearance. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing holiday drink.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are well chilled before mixing for the best taste.
- Add ice to the pitcher or individual glasses to keep the drink cool.
- The cranberries and rosemary sprigs are optional but add a festive look and aroma.
- Adjust tequila quantity to taste for a stronger or lighter cocktail.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the tequila and optionally add more 7UP or cranberry juice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
