If you’re on the lookout for a festive holiday cocktail that’s as delightful to sip as it is to serve, you’re going to adore this Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe. I absolutely love how it balances tart cranberry with bright citrus and a little sparkle from 7UP—making it a perfect crowd-pleaser for any seasonal celebration. Stick around, because I’m sharing all the tips to help you nail this merry margarita every time!

🤍

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Festive Flavor: The tartness of cranberry paired with sweet orange juice and bubbly 7UP makes every sip feel like a holiday party.
Super Simple: With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip this up in under 5 minutes—perfect for last-minute entertaining.
Big Batch Friendly: It’s made in a pitcher or punch bowl so you can serve a crowd without constantly mixing drinks.
Beautiful Garnish Options: A sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries make it look like a holiday masterpiece every time.

A close-up of a clear glass filled with bright red drink, showing about three layers: the bottom layer is a rich red liquid, the middle layer features floating whole red cranberries and crushed ice, and the top layer has a frosted sugar rim on the glass edge along with a small green sprig of rosemary dusted with sugar standing up in the drink. A woman’s hand with dark red nail polish is holding the glass from the left side. The background shows more glasses filled with the same drink, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita, holiday margarita, festive cocktail recipe, Christmas drink, easy holiday cocktails

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe are straightforward but thoughtfully combined to create that perfect holiday zing. When you shop, aim for the freshest juices you can find—using chilled juices really elevates the final drink.

Flat lay of fresh whole cranberries scattered beside a few sprigs of vibrant green rosemary, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright orange juice, a small white ceramic bowl of deep red cranberry juice, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear sparkling 7UP, a small white ceramic bowl with pale amber tequila, and a small white ceramic bowl holding rich red maraschino cherry juice, accompanied by a small white ceramic bowl of fresh yellow lemon juice, all arranged symmetrically with realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita, holiday margarita, festive cocktail recipe, Christmas drink, easy holiday cocktails

Orange juice: Freshly squeezed or high-quality store-bought works great; a vital citrus base that brightens the cocktail.
Cranberry juice: Opt for 100% cranberry juice for that authentic tart flavor instead of cranberry cocktail mixes that can be too sweet.
7UP: Adds a refreshing fizz and balances the tartness without overpowering the drink.
Tequila: Use a good-quality blanco tequila for a crisp, clean flavor that mixes effortlessly here.
Maraschino cherry juice: Don’t skip this — it adds a subtle sweetness and beautiful color nuance.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add bright acidity and cut through the sweetness.
Cranberries and rosemary sprigs: Optional, but excellent for garnishing and adding a festive aroma.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about the Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to fit your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to personalize it and make it your own—here’s how I like to switch things up sometimes.

Make it sparkling: Instead of 7UP, I sometimes use sparkling water with a splash of agave syrup for a lighter version that still has the bubbly charm.
Sweetener swap: If you like it sweeter, I add a teaspoon of simple syrup or honey; or reduce sweetness by using less maraschino cherry juice.
Herbal twist: Adding a sprig of fresh thyme or mint alongside the rosemary changes up the scent and looks gorgeous.
Mocktail version: Skip the tequila entirely and increase the 7UP for a festive non-alcoholic punch everyone enjoys.

How to Make Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe

Step 1: Combine All the Chilled Ingredients

Start by grabbing your largest pitcher or punch bowl and add the orange juice, cranberry juice, 7UP, tequila, maraschino cherry juice, and lemon juice—all chilled, by the way. I discovered this trick of chilling everything beforehand because if anything’s warm, it waters down the flavor when you add ice later. Give it a good stir to blend all those flavors together perfectly.

Step 2: Serve and Garnish Like a Pro

Pour into glasses filled with ice right away; this keeps your drink refreshing without diluting too quickly. Garnishing is the cherry on top—literally! I always add fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary. Not only do they look festive, but rosemary adds a pine-like aroma that makes sipping even more enjoyable.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe

Chill Everything: I learned the hard way that using room-temp juices or tequila makes the margarita taste watered down when ice melts too quickly.
Fresh Over Bottled: Whenever possible, freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice brighten the cocktail in a way that store-bought can’t match.
Balance Sweet & Tart: Taste as you go! If you want it sweeter, add a bit more maraschino cherry juice, or more lemon juice to punch up the tartness.
Garnish Makeover: Don’t skip the rosemary sprigs, they look gorgeous and make the drink feel truly festive and special.

How to Serve Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe

Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I can’t stress enough how much the little extras matter here. Fresh cranberries and rosemary aren’t just pretty—they bring fresh, seasonal aromas and a pop of color that turns a simple margarita into a showstopper. You can also rim the glasses with sugar for a sweet holiday sparkle.

Side Dishes

My family goes crazy for pairing these with savory holiday appetizers—think spicy spiced nuts, soft cheeses with cranberry chutney, or prosciutto-wrapped asparagus. These flavors contrast beautifully with the margarita’s bright tartness.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting, try serving the margarita in individual mason jars with cinnamon sticks as stirrers or in festive glasses with sugared cranberry rims. Even a large punch bowl with floating cranberries and rosemary sprigs sets a cozy, inviting mood.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover margarita? I keep it covered in the fridge in the same pitcher and give it a gentle stir before serving again. Drink it within 24 hours for the best flavor and fizz.

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing this margarita because the carbonation doesn’t survive well, and tequila’s viscosity changes. If you make batches ahead, just keep them refrigerated and add soda and ice when ready to serve.

Reheating

Reheating doesn’t really apply here—as a cold cocktail, it’s best enjoyed chilled. Just stir well after taking it out of the fridge and pour over fresh ice for an effortlessly cool refreshment.

FAQs

Can I make the Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe without alcohol?

Absolutely! Simply omit the tequila and add extra 7UP or sparkling water to keep it bubbly. It makes a festive and kid-friendly holiday punch everyone can enjoy.
What type of tequila is best for this recipe?

I recommend a blanco or silver tequila because it has a clean, crisp flavor that blends beautifully with citrus and cranberry without overpowering them.
Can I prepare the Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe in advance?

Yes! You can mix everything except the 7UP up to a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Add the fizzy 7UP just before serving so it stays bubbly and fresh.
How can I rim the glasses for this margarita?

Use lemon juice to moisten the rims, then dip them into sugar or a mix of sugar and finely chopped dried cranberries for a fun and festive touch.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe has become a holiday staple in my house because it’s effortlessly delicious and always sparks joy on chilly winter nights. If you want an easy-to-make, festive cocktail that your guests will rave about, this is it. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making this merry margarita every holiday season like a pro.

Cranberry Mistletoe Margarita Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 788 reviews

Author: Bertha
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Yield: 10 servings
Category: Cocktail
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

The Mistletoe Margarita is a festive, refreshing holiday cocktail that combines the tangy flavors of orange and cranberry juices with the smooth kick of tequila and a fizzy lift from 7UP. Finished with a hint of maraschino cherry juice and lemon juice, this punch-style margarita is perfect for holiday gatherings, garnished elegantly with cranberries and rosemary sprigs for a seasonal touch.

Ingredients

Juices

2 ½ cups orange juice, chilled
2 ½ cups cranberry juice, chilled
½ cup maraschino cherry juice, chilled
¼ cup lemon juice

Beverages

2 cups 7UP, chilled
2 cups tequila, chilled

Garnish

Cranberries, for garnish (optional)
Rosemary sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add the orange juice, cranberry juice, maraschino cherry juice, lemon juice, 7UP, and tequila. Ensure all liquids are chilled to keep the drink refreshing.
Mix Well: Stir all ingredients together thoroughly over ice to blend the flavors and chill the mixture.
Garnish and Serve: Add cranberries and rosemary sprigs as garnish for a festive presentation. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors.

Notes

Use chilled ingredients to keep the drink cool without diluting it too quickly.
Adjust tequila quantity to taste for a stronger or lighter cocktail.
Cranberries and rosemary sprigs are optional but add a beautiful and seasonal look.
Serve in clear glasses to showcase the vibrant red color.
For a non-alcoholic version, omit tequila and add extra 7UP or sparkling water.