Christmas Margarita

Name: Christmas Margarita
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. sparkling sugar; 1 tsp. kosher salt; 1 lime wedge; 4 oz. cream of coconut, whisked; 4 oz. silver tequila; 2 oz. orange liqueur (such as Cointreau); 1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice, plus 2 lime wheels, for garnish; 2 maraschino cherries, for garnish

Guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.

By Leah PerezPublished: Nov 28, 2024

1 Rating

Jump to recipe

C.W. Newell

Yields:

2 serving(s)

Prep Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

10 mins

Who needs snow? With this festive cocktail, you’ll have a white Christmas no matter where you are celebrating. Built on the classic foundation of tequila, orange liqueur, and a generous squeeze of lime juice, this Christmas cocktail gleams like freshly fallen powder. Its rich, smooth texture comes from cream of coconut, the ingredient that makes piña coladas so irresistible. The cream of coconut's sweetness also eliminates the need for simple syrup or agave, while adding a tropical note. Each sip promises an escape and will get everyone in the holiday spirit!

What is the best kind of tequila for a Christmas margarita?

Silver tequila (also called tequila blanco) has a clean, crisp taste that’s just right with the coconut cream in this Christmas margarita. Because it is a mixed drink, there’s no need to splurge on fancy aged or añejo tequila, which can have a strong oaky flavor. Just grab a bottle of tequila made from pure agave, and you're all set.

What is sparkling sugar?

Every margarita deserves a tasty rim, and sparkling sugar makes this cocktail shine. Sparking sugar is super coarse sugar (often tinted a color), with large crystals that bakers use to add a touch of glitter and crunch to things like cookies and muffins. It’s also ideal for rimming a drink glass! Can't find any? Sanding sugar, which is a bit finer than sparkling sugar, is a great backup. Granulated sugar and demerara sugar also work!

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Ingredients

For the rim:

1 Tbsp.
sparkling sugar
1 tsp.
kosher salt
1
lime wedge

For the drink:

4 oz.
cream of coconut, whisked
4 oz.
silver tequila
2 oz.
orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
1 1/2 oz.
fresh lime juice, plus 2 lime wheels, for garnish
2
maraschino cherries, for garnish

Directions

1. Step 1For the rim: Place the sparkling sugar and salt on a small plate and carefully toss to combine. Run a lime wedge around the rims of 2 glasses, then dip the rims in the sugar mixture.
2. Step 2For the drink: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the cream of coconut, tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Shake for 10 to 20 seconds to chill thoroughly.
3. Step 3Strain the cocktail into the 2 glasses, being careful not to splash the rims. Garnish each with a lime wheel and a maraschino cherry.

Tip: Cream of coconut tends to separate in the can, with the coconut fat rising to the top and the sugary sweet syrup settling at the bottom. Be sure to whisk it thoroughly before measuring to ensure the fat and syrup are well combined.