How To Make The Perfect Cranberry Margarita This Thanksgiving
Sip your way through Thanksgiving chaos with this festive Cranberry Margarita. It is a bright, boozy twist perfect for turkey day cheer!
A Margarita for the Chaos of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is that festive time of year when you realize your family is somehow both the best and the most chaotic group of people you know. The turkey’s taking longer than expected, the mashed potatoes are suddenly “too lumpy,” and your nephew keeps asking when dinner will be ready — even though it’s only 11 a.m.
That’s when I reach for my secret weapon: the Cranberry Margarita. It’s cheerful, it’s sassy, and it pairs beautifully with laughter, leftovers, and family drama.
Because tequila has a funny way of turning chaos into gratitude.
My Cranberry Margarita Thanksgiving Story
While shopping several years ago, I added a bottle of Casamigos Tequila and a bag of cranberries to the cart with my Thanksgiving groceries. My husband looked at me like I was crazy.
Fast-forward to Thanksgiving Day, I made up a batch, and my Cranberry Margaritas were a hit. Gigi was telling stories from the ’70s, my Dad was dancing, and Aunt Barb even enjoyed a nip (or two). Everyone loved it.
Now every Thanksgiving, I’m in charge of cocktails — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Cranberry Margarita Recipe
Cranberry Margarita
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Margarita Glass
Ingredients
Rim Ingredients
- 1 tsp Turbinado Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1 slice Lime (To rim glass)
Drink Ingredients
- 2 oz Reposado tequila
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 1/2 oz Lime juice
- 3 oz Cranberry Juice (Unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
- 5 each Cranberries Fresh (or frozen dipped in sugar) for garnish
- 1 slice Lime For garnish
- 1 sprig Rosemary (Optional)
- 1 handful Ice
Instructions
Glass Prep
- Rim your glass with a lime slice, then dip it into the rim mixture from above and set aside.
Cocktail Prep
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice and add tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and cranberry juice.
- Shake until the outside of your shaker feels frosty (45 seconds or so).
- Strain into your prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with cranberries, lime slice, and optional rosemary.
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Tips for Serving at Thanksgiving
Batch it: Make a big batch before guests arrive so you’re not shaking cocktails during dinner or the halftime show.
Make it sparkle: Add a splash of club soda or prosecco (This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. By clicking on an affiliate link I may financially benefit at no extra cost to you.) for a bubbly twist.
Find Your Prosecco Here
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Mocktail version: Swap the tequila for sparkling water and a splash of orange juice — still festive without the alcohol.
Why This Cranberry Margarita Is Perfect for Thanksgiving
This isn’t just another fall cocktail — it’s the Thanksgiving drink.
The cranberry brings seasonal flavor, the lime keeps it bright, and the tequila? Well, that’s what keeps you smiling through “just one more photo” before dinner.
So this year, skip the pumpkin spice martini and serve up a round of Cranberry Margaritas.
Let’s raise a toast to gratitude, laughter, and surviving family holidays with style.
Want Another Holiday-Themed Cocktail?
If you can’t get enough cranberry-inspired sips, you’ll love our Cranberry Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe. It’s light, bubbly, and the perfect companion for your holiday gatherings — whether you’re toasting to Thanksgiving memories or ringing in the Christmas season.
Because let’s be honest — there’s no such thing as too many cranberry cocktails this time of year.
Here’s to Thanksgiving!
When the gravy misbehaves, let the Cranberry Margaritas come to the rescue. Cheers!
