Print

Festive Holiday Margarita Punch with Sugared Cranberries

holiday margarita punch - featured image
Print Recipe

A vibrant, crowd-pleasing holiday punch featuring classic margarita flavors, homemade cranberry syrup, and sparkling sugared cranberries for a festive touch. Perfect for parties, easy to make ahead, and endlessly customizable for any celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (16 oz) tequila blanco
  • 1 cup (8 oz) orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  • 1 cup (8 oz) fresh lime juice (about 8–10 limes)
  • 1 cup (8 oz) fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup (8 oz) cranberry simple syrup (see below)
  • 2 cups (16 oz) club soda or sparkling water
  • Ice (enough to fill punch bowl or pitcher)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (for garnish)
  • Orange and lime slices (for garnish)
  • For the Cranberry Simple Syrup:
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • For the Sugared Cranberries:
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for coating
  • 1/2 cup water
  • For Rimming Glasses:
  • 1/4 cup coarse sugar and kosher salt (equal parts)
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Make the Cranberry Simple Syrup: Combine 1 cup cranberries, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves and cranberries start to burst (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat, let cool, then strain through a fine mesh sieve. Discard solids. Syrup can be made up to one week ahead and stored in the fridge.
  2. Prepare Sugared Cranberries: In a saucepan, heat 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar until just simmering and sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup fresh cranberries. Let soak for 5 minutes, then use a slotted spoon to transfer cranberries to a wire rack or parchment-lined baking sheet. Let dry until tacky (about 30 minutes), then roll in remaining sugar to coat. Let dry completely.
  3. Rim the Glasses: Mix equal parts coarse sugar and kosher salt on a shallow plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass, then dip into sugar-salt mixture. Set aside.
  4. Mix the Margarita Punch: In a large punch bowl or pitcher, combine tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, and cranberry simple syrup. Stir well. Add club soda just before serving for fizz. Taste and adjust sweetness as desired.
  5. Serve: Fill glasses with ice, pour punch over, and garnish with orange/lime slices and a generous spoonful of sugared cranberries. Float a few cranberries and citrus slices in the punch bowl for extra flair.

Notes

Chill all ingredients before mixing for best results. Make syrup and sugared cranberries up to a week ahead. Add club soda just before serving to keep the punch fizzy. For a non-alcoholic version, replace tequila and liqueur with extra juice and sparkling water. Sugared cranberries can be made in advance and stored at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday punch, margarita punch, sugared cranberries, Christmas cocktail, party drinks, festive drinks, cranberry margarita, big batch cocktails

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/festive-holiday-margarita-punch-recipe-with-sugared-cranberries/