Winter Margarita

Winter Margarita is a great cocktail to enjoy in the winter months and any other time of the year. This Margarita combines gold tequila with tangy and slightly sweet pomegranate and cranberry juices and a touch of orange liqueur. It’s a great cocktail for festive holiday parties or just because!

If your anything like me, you welcome margaritas no matter what time of the year it is. You also don’t stick to just one flavor and recipe for a margarita. It’s a great cocktail that you can modify and customize to suit any occasion. Welcome to the versatility of the MARGARITA!

This Winter Margarita is the culmination of both my need to escape, the sometimes harsh, cold of a winter’s evening and my urge to create something festive at the same time.  Although this isn’t your typical holiday beverage it surely adds to the celebration.

Combining the simplicity of the classic margarita with pomegranate and cranberry flavors, much like other margaritas, is a drink that can get the celebration well on it’s way to becoming a holiday epic. It will add a little something that you may have not known was missing from your holiday cocktail menu.

Gold Tequila vs. Silver Tequila

The difference between Gold and Silver Tequila lays in how they are produced. Silver tequila, (sometimes called white tequila,) is distilled in stainless steel containers using a concentration of nearly 100% agave.

Gold Tequila uses a concentration less than 100% of agave that is then mixed with alcohol. This technique of mixing the agave with alcohol lends to a much smoother taste as opposed to the harsh finish of the 100% agave concentration.

Ingredients:

• Pomegranate Juice – Filled with antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium, pomegranate juice is a powerhouse among juices!
• Cranberry Juice – One of the most recognizable flavors of the holiday season and also filled with health benefits like vitamin C, high in antioxidants, and anthocyanins.
• Gold Tequila – For the best smooth taste, use gold tequila.
• Orange Liquor – Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or Triple Sec will work well here. Cointreau and Grand Marnier are considered top shelf and will cost more, while Triple Sec is your cheaper option but less pronounced orange flavor.
• Lime Juice – Because every margarita needs a little lime!
• Course sea salt – Salt is always the best flavor kick for a margarita. Don’t forget to lick the salt before you take a sip!

Where Can I Buy Pomegranate Juice?

Pomegranate juice is pretty easy to find in produce departments in most local grocery stores. It is usually located with refrigerated juices and the most common brand is POM.

How to Make a Winter Margarita:

Once you are able to brave the harsh winter weather and gather up all of the necessary ingredients, it’s time to make the cocktail. Combine all the liquid elements into a cocktail shaker and shake them well, I mean vigorously! You want to make sure those liquid goodies are combined well to maximize the smooth flavor.

To Make the Salt Rim: Take a slice of lime and rub the rim of the pint glass. It will help your salt adhere to the rim and add a little bite of lime flavor. Dip the rim of the glass into some coarse salt all around.

After you’ve salted the rim, add as much ice to the glass as you want. Next your gonna take Pandora’s Box…. I mean your shaker tin and gently pour your well blended Margarita mixture into the glass. 

When your all done, you may choose to garnish your cocktail with a freshly sliced lime. Some people may think it just gets in the way, but I for one like to add an extra bite of lime occasionally!

Can I use sugar instead of salt on the rim?

While that is a personal preference, I highly recommend you try salt first. Salt provides the perfect balance to the slight sweetness and tartness to this winter cocktail. If you just don’t like the salt, you may use sugar.

FEW MORE MARGARITA RECIEPS

Anytime you’re making a classic margarita, you should try to make homemade margarita mix as well. It will truly give you the best flavor!

Orange Jalapeno Margarita is getting more and more popular and that’s because of the sweet and spicy citrus flavors.

Anytime you want a frozen margarita, think of summer and Watermelon Frozen Margaritas.

If you made any of my recipes and shared them on Instagram, make sure to tag me @willcookforsmiles and #willcookforsmiles so I can see all the things you tried!

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