A cranberry Christmas margarita with Krampus Herbal Liqueur in place of triple sec, with a cinnamon-sugar salt rim. Festive, tart and easy to batch.
A Christmas margarita is a regular margarita dressed for the holidays: cranberry for color and tartness, a cinnamon-sugar salt rim and a sprig of rosemary that looks like a tiny tree.
The twist that makes this one different is the orange liqueur. Instead of triple sec, it uses Krampus Herbal Liqueur.
Ingredients
- 2 oz blanco tequila
- ¾ oz Krampus Herbal Liqueur
- 1 oz unsweetened cranberry juice
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- ¼ oz agave syrup
- Rim: 1 tbsp coarse salt, 1 tbsp sugar, ½ tsp cinnamon
- Sugared cranberries and a rosemary sprig
Directions
- Run a lime wedge around a rocks glass and dip the rim in the salt, sugar and cinnamon mix.
- Shake the tequila, Krampus, cranberry, lime and agave hard with ice.
- Strain over fresh ice and garnish.
Glass: Rocks glass · Garnish: Sugared cranberries, rosemary
A Pitcher for Eight
Stir 2 cups tequila, ¾ cup Krampus, 1 cup cranberry juice, ¾ cup lime juice and ¼ cup agave in a pitcher and chill. Pour over ice into rimmed glasses.
Tip
Use 100% agave tequila and fresh lime. The Krampus brings the warmth, so the margarita still needs the lime's sharp edge to stay balanced.
Variations
For a pomegranate margarita, swap the cranberry juice for pomegranate. For a smoky version, use mezcal for half the tequila.
A Brief History of the Margarita
Nobody agrees on who invented the margarita. Bartenders in Mexico and Texas have both claimed it, with stories dating to the 1930s and 1940s. The most likely explanation is in the name: margarita is Spanish for daisy, and the Daisy was an older family of cocktails made with a spirit, orange liqueur and citrus.
Swap in tequila and you have a margarita. Cranberry and pomegranate versions turned it into a holiday drink in the 2000s.
Why Make It With Krampus
In a classic margarita, triple sec adds sweetness and orange. Krampus brings raw honey for the sweetness and roasted hazelnut and warming spice for something triple sec can't: a cold-weather warmth that makes a tequila drink taste right in December. The honey also rounds off the sharp edge of the cranberry, so you need only a touch of agave.
FAQ
What makes a margarita a Christmas margarita?
Usually cranberry or pomegranate juice, a festive rim like cinnamon sugar or red salt, and a garnish such as rosemary and sugared cranberries.
What can I use instead of triple sec in a margarita?
Any sweet liqueur can stand in. Krampus Herbal Liqueur adds honey and warm spice, which suits a winter margarita especially well.
Can I make Christmas margaritas in a pitcher?
Yes. The pitcher version above serves eight. Mix it up to a few hours ahead and keep it cold, but rim the glasses just before serving.