Introduction

The Frosted Mistletoe Margarita is a festive frozen cocktail blending silver tequila, cranberry, fresh lime, and orange liqueur. This sparkling holiday punch features a salty-sweet rim and sugared cranberry garnish, making it perfect for your seasonal celebrations.

A clear glass filled with crushed ice holds a bright red drink, with the liquid and ice mixing in layers from deep red at the bottom to a lighter red near the top. The rim of the glass is coated with a thick layer of white sugar crystals. On top, there is a small wooden skewer holding three frosted red cranberries and a fresh green rosemary sprig. Around the glass on a white marbled surface, white powdered sugar is sprinkled widely, with a few red cranberries placed on it. In the soft focus background, there are Christmas decorations including a wrapped present with a red bow, golden bells, toy nutcrackers, and small Christmas trees with warm yellow lights. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 tbsp granulated sugar (for the salty-sugar rim)
2 tbsp kosher salt (for the salty-sugar rim)
1 1/2 cups silver tequila (blanco tequila)
2 cups 100% unsweetened cranberry juice
3/4 cup Cointreau or other quality orange liqueur
1 cup fresh lime juice
3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/4 cup honey or agave nectar (adjust to taste)
Zest from 1 orange
4 cups ice
Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional garnish)
Sugared cranberries (optional garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the glasses by combining granulated sugar and kosher salt on a small, shallow plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each margarita glass, then dip the rim into the salty-sugar mixture until evenly coated. Set the glasses aside.
Step 2: In a high-powered blender, combine the silver tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, fresh or frozen cranberries, and honey.
Step 3: Add 4 cups of ice to the blender. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and has a slushy consistency.
Step 4: Add the orange zest and pulse once or twice just to combine.
Step 5: Pour the frosted margarita mixture into your prepared glasses.
Step 6: Garnish each drink with a sprig of fresh rosemary and a few sugared cranberries, if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

Make a batch ahead by mixing all liquid ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerating up to 24 hours. Blend with ice just before serving for a perfect slush.
No blender? Shake the liquids with ice and strain over fresh ice cubes for a bright, on-the-rocks version.
Try maple sugared cranberries: toss fresh cranberries with warm maple syrup, let them get tacky, then roll in sugar for a festive garnish.
Adjust texture by adding water if too thick or blending in more ice if too loose.

Storage

Store any prepared margarita mix in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not blend with ice until ready to serve to keep the slushy texture fresh. Leftover blended margarita is best consumed immediately but can be briefly refrigerated and gently re-blended before serving.

How to Serve

A clear short glass filled with deep red crushed ice piled up almost to the top, with a thick layer of white sugar crystals around the rim. On top, three frosted cranberries are skewered on a small stick alongside a fresh green rosemary sprig. The glass sits on a wooden surface dusted with white powdered sugar, with more frosted cranberries scattered nearby. In the background, blurred Christmas decorations include wrapped gifts with red ribbons, golden jingle bells, small decorated pine trees, and two red nutcracker figurines. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, combine tequila, Cointreau, cranberry juice, lime juice, and sweetener in a sealed pitcher and refrigerate up to a day. Blend with ice right before serving to maintain the slushy texture.

Can I make this on the rocks instead of frozen?

Absolutely. Shake the base ingredients with ice for 10–15 seconds and strain over fresh ice cubes. This version has the same flavor with a lighter, colder texture.

What’s the best tequila to use?

Use blanco (silver) tequila with a clean, mineral, and bright finish. This allows the fruit flavors to shine without woody or oak-heavy notes.

How do I make a single serving?

Blend 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce Cointreau, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, 2 ounces cranberry juice, 1/2 to 3/4 ounce agave nectar, and 1 to 1 1/2 cups ice until slushy. Rim the glass, pour, garnish, and enjoy.