Mistletoe Margarita

$To make the perfect Mistletoe Margarita, gather these ingredients: - 1 cup fresh cranberries - 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice - 1/4 cup agave syrup - 2 cups sparkling water - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, torn - Lime wedges and extra cranberries for garnish - Ice cubes to serve Using fresh ingredients makes a big difference in taste. Fresh cranberries add a bright, tart flavor. Fresh lime juice gives a zesty kick. For the mint, fresh leaves provide a crisp, aromatic touch. Frozen ingredients can work, but they may change the drink's texture. If you use frozen cranberries, thaw them before cooking. This way, you still get a nice flavor. When choosing ingredients, quality matters. Look for organic cranberries for the best flavor. Fresh-squeezed lime juice is key; bottled juice lacks that fresh taste. I recommend using a high-quality agave syrup, like 365 Everyday Value or Wholesome Sweeteners. For sparkling water, select a brand with no added flavors. This ensures the drink stays true to its festive roots. {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, gather your fresh cranberries. In a medium saucepan, combine them with 1/2 cup of water. Heat this mix over medium heat. Wait for it to boil gently. This takes about 10 minutes. You will see the cranberries burst and soften. When they are ready, remove the saucepan from the heat. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the mixture into a bowl. Press down on the solids with a spoon. You want to get every drop of juice. You should have about 1 cup of bright cranberry juice. Now, it’s time to mix your drink. In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed cranberry juice, lime juice, and agave syrup. Stir this mix well until the agave syrup dissolves fully. This step is key for a balanced sweetness. Next, slowly add the sparkling water to the pitcher. Gently stir to mix but be careful not to lose the fizz. Finally, take fresh mint leaves and tear them into smaller pieces. Add these to the pitcher. This adds a lovely minty touch to your drink. When you're ready to serve, grab some glasses and fill them with ice cubes. Pour the Mistletoe Margarita over the ice. This keeps it cool and refreshing for your guests. For a festive look, garnish each glass with a wedge of lime. Add a few whole cranberries on top too. This not only looks great but also adds extra flavor. Your Mistletoe Margarita is now ready to enjoy! To get the sweetness just right, use agave syrup. It blends well with lime juice and cranberry. Start with 1/4 cup for this recipe. Taste it, and if you want more sweetness, add a little more. Agave syrup is a great choice because it is less processed than other sweeteners. This helps keep the drink light and fresh. For a strong mint flavor, tear the mint leaves before adding them. This breaks the cells and releases more oils. You can also let the mint sit in the pitcher for a few minutes. This will help the mint flavor infuse the drink even more. If you prefer a milder mint taste, add the leaves just before serving. To keep the fizz in your Mistletoe Margarita, add the sparkling water last. Gently stir it in to avoid losing bubbles. Serve the drink right after mixing. If you let it sit too long, the bubbles will fade. For extra fizz, use chilled sparkling water straight from the fridge. Pro Tips Fresh Cranberries vs. Dried: Using fresh cranberries will give your Mistletoe Margarita a vibrant color and a tart flavor. Dried cranberries won’t provide the same freshness. Chill Your Glasses: For an extra refreshing drink, chill your glasses in the freezer for about 10 minutes before serving. This keeps your margarita cooler for longer. Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of agave syrup according to your taste preferences. If you prefer a less sweet drink, start with less syrup and add more as needed. Mint Infusion: To enhance the mint flavor, gently bruise the mint leaves before adding them to the pitcher. This helps release their essential oils for a more aromatic drink. {{image_4}} To make a spiked Mistletoe Margarita, simply add tequila. Use about 1 to 2 ounces of your favorite tequila per serving. Pour it into the pitcher after mixing the cranberry juice, lime juice, and agave syrup. This adds a festive kick! You can also try flavored tequila, like cranberry or lime, for an extra twist. You can make this drink even more festive by adding seasonal fruits. Consider using pomegranate seeds for color and flavor. Sliced strawberries or diced apples also work well. Add them to the pitcher with the mint leaves. The fruits will add a nice touch and enhance the drink's taste. To create a mocktail version, skip the tequila and use more sparkling water. You can also add extra cranberry juice to increase sweetness. This way, everyone can enjoy a festive drink. Garnish with lime wedges and cranberries to keep it festive and fun! To store leftover Mistletoe Margarita, first, pour the drink into a container. Cover it tightly. This keeps the flavors fresh and the bubbles intact. You should store it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to two days. However, the longer it sits, the less fizzy it becomes. Use a glass jar or a pitcher for storage. A glass container helps keep flavors intact. Avoid plastic containers; they can absorb smells. If you have a bottle with a tight cap, that works too. Just make sure it's clean and dry before use. The fresh cranberries and lime juice last about one week in the fridge. Agave syrup can last a long time, even months. Fresh mint leaves are best used within a few days. Always check for signs of spoilage before use. When you keep these ingredients fresh, your next Mistletoe Margarita will taste great! Yes, you can make Mistletoe Margarita ahead of time. I suggest preparing the cranberry juice and mixing it with lime juice and agave syrup. You can store this mixture in the fridge for up to two days. Just add sparkling water and mint right before serving. This keeps the drink fizzy and fresh. If you do not have agave syrup, honey is a great choice. It has a similar sweetness. Maple syrup also works well, but it will add a different flavor. Use about the same amount as agave syrup, and taste to adjust the sweetness. To make Mistletoe Margarita for more people, simply multiply the ingredients. For example, for eight servings, use two cups of cranberry juice, one cup of lime juice, and half a cup of agave syrup. Just remember to keep the sparkling water separate until serving. This way, the drink stays bubbly and delightful. The Mistletoe Margarita is a perfect drink for the holidays. We covered fresh and frozen ingredients, along with brand suggestions. You learned how to mix, serve, and garnish your drink. Tips for sweetness, mint flavor, and fizz will boost your cocktail game. We even explored fun variations, like a mocktail option. Remember to store any leftovers properly. With this guide in hand, you can impress your guests and enjoy festive cheer. Make your Mistletoe Margarita shine this season!$

A festive and refreshing cocktail made with fresh cranberries and mint.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Course Beverage

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup fresh cranberries
0.5 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
0.25 cup agave syrup
2 cups sparkling water
0.5 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
to taste lime wedges and extra cranberries for garnish
as needed ice cubes to serve

Instructions

Begin by preparing the cranberry juice: In a medium saucepan, combine the fresh cranberries with 1/2 cup of water. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Cook the cranberries for about 10 minutes, or until they burst and soften.
Once cooked, remove the saucepan from heat. Using a fine mesh sieve, strain the cranberry mixture into a bowl to collect the juice, pressing down on the solids with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. You should yield approximately 1 cup of vibrant cranberry juice.
In a large pitcher, mix together the freshly squeezed cranberry juice, lime juice, and agave syrup. Stir the mixture thoroughly until the agave syrup is completely dissolved to ensure an even sweetness throughout.
Slowly add the sparkling water to the pitcher. Gently stir to combine, being careful not to lose the bubbles from the sparkling water.
Tear the fresh mint leaves into smaller pieces and add them to the pitcher. This will allow the mint to infuse the drink, giving it a refreshing flavor.
To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the Mistletoe Margarita over the ice, allowing it to chill and refresh your guests wonderfully.
For a festive touch, garnish each glass with a wedge of lime and a sprinkle of whole cranberries, adding a decorative and colorful element to your drink.

Notes

For a sweeter drink, adjust the amount of agave syrup to taste.

Keyword cocktail, holiday drink, margarita