7 Winter Margarita Recipes (2024)

These seven winter margarita recipes prove this classic tequila co*cktail isn't reserved for summer! You'll love how these margaritas incorporate winter flavors, whether it's from fresh, in-season citrus or a medley of warm spices that keep you feeling cozy on a chilly night. We may be in the middle of winter, but bring on those seasonal margaritas.

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Jump to:
  • Winter Seasonal Fruit
  • Best Tequila for Margaritas
  • Winter Margarita Recipes
  • Perfect Pairings

Winter Seasonal Fruit

Ripe fruit in the winter? You bet! And that's exactly why we shouldn't just think of margaritas as the quintessential summer drink.

During the winter months, citrus is at its peak. Think blood oranges, grapefruit, Cara Cara oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes -- you name it. This is citrus fruits' time to shine.

Dare I say that the margarita is actually a winter co*cktail, considering that its base is fresh lime juice? I just might.

Here, you'll find some winter citrus margaritas, but I also included other flavors that go well during this time of year. And this list will continue to evolve over the years, so I recommend saving it to revisit every winter!

Bonus: For more refreshing drinks, check out these winter citrus co*cktails.

Best Tequila for Margaritas

Of course, to make a good margarita, you also need tequila, a Mexican-distilled liquor made from the blue agave plant. These are the three most popular types of tequila.

Blanco tequila: This tequila is not aged. After distilling, it typically goes straight into stainless steel barrels for fewer than 60 days, though it's sometimes bottled immediately. The agave flavor is more straightforward and unadulterated.

This is what you typically get at most restaurants, and it's often called silver tequila. If you order a house margarita, you can bet it's made with a blanco tequila, so people might be more familiar with this type.

Reposado tequila: Reposado, which translates to "rested," ages two months to a year in oak barrels. The oak imparts a more nuanced flavor profile with vanilla and caramel notes, and the aging makes for a smoother finish than blanco. If you've ever ordered a Cadillac margarita, this is the type of tequila you enjoyed.

Añejo tequila: This tequila ages even longer -- between one and three years. Because of this extended aging, I recommend reaching for this variety when you need a good sipping tequila.

Añejo is wonderful, but I don't usually use this type of tequila in margaritas as I prefer to reserve añejo for my triple citrus tequila smash and tequila sour where it can really stand out from the other flavors.

While it comes down to personal preference, I just love the smooth finish and rich, complex flavor of reposado in my margaritas, so that's generally what I recommend in these recipes.

That said, you're more than welcome to substitute another type if that's what you have on hand or that's what best serves your palate. Blanco is great if you prefer a cleaner-tasting liquor. We all have different tastes, so use what you like.

Winter Margarita Recipes

Now let's get to sipping some winter margaritas! You'll love every bright, citrusy sip.

1. Blood Orange Margarita

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Blood Orange Margarita

Celebrate winter citrus season with a stunning blood orange margarita! Made with freshly squeezed blood orange and lime juices and a healthy dose of your favorite tequila, this vibrant blood orange margarita is perfectly zesty with a touch of natural citrus sweetness. You can make this citrusy drink as single servings or in a pitcher for easy entertaining — everyone will love sipping on this delicious blood orange co*cktail.

Check out this recipe

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2. Cara Cara Margarita

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Cara Cara Margarita

Let's celebrate winter citrus season in the best way possible -- with this Cara Cara margarita! Made with freshly squeezed Cara Cara orange juice, this winter citrus margarita balances the perfect sweet and tart combination for one refreshing co*cktail. You'll want to sip on this tasty little number all season long.

Check out this recipe

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3. Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Margarita

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Sparkling Cranberry-Ginger Margarita

Elevate your co*cktail game with a sparkling cranberry-ginger margarita this holiday season! Made with a fresh ginger simple syrup, tart cranberry juice and bubbly ginger ale, this holiday margarita is one jolly co*cktail that’s sure to put everyone in a festive mood. You won't find a more perfect cranberry co*cktail for your next holiday gathering.

Check out this recipe

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4. Winter Wonderland Margarita

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Winter Wonderland Margarita

When Old Man Winter strikes, nothing gets you through the cold night like a seasonal co*cktail by the fire. Made with sweet and savory rosemary simple syrup and bright white coconut milk, this Winter Wonderland Margarita is your perfect sipper for the occasion. Serve with a candied rosemary sprig for a sparkly, wintry touch.

Check out this recipe

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5. Sparkling Apple Cider Margarita

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Sparkling Apple Cider Margarita

Put a festive fall touch to everyone’s favorite classic co*cktail with this sparkling apple cider margarita! You'll love the way the warm apple cider spice pairs with the citrusy notes and rich, complex tequila to make one delicious fall co*cktail. This margarita uses only fresh ingredients, comes together in just minutes and can be prepared as a single drink or in a pitcher to serve a crowd.

Check out this recipe

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6. Gingerbread Margarita

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Gingerbread Margarita

Turn everyone’s favorite tequila co*cktail into the perfect holiday sipper with this gingerbread margarita! A homemade gingerbread simple syrup gives this Christmas margarita a burst of warm seasonal spices while the fresh lime juice and orange liqueur add just the right brightness. You’ll want to serve this signature Christmas co*cktail at every holiday party.

Check out this recipe

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7. Pumpkin Spice Margarita

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Pumpkin Spice Margarita

Put a fun, seasonal spin on tonight's happy hour with this festive pumpkin spice margarita recipe! Flavored with a homemade pumpkin simple syrup, this fall margarita features warming spices that pair beautifully with an aged tequila, and then the citrusy lime juice adds the perfect pop of brightness to make one well-balanced co*cktail. You'll want to sip on this pumpkin margarita at every fall gathering and holiday this season.

Check out this recipe

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Perfect Pairings

Of course, a night full of margaritas requires some delicious Tex-Mex and Mexican food recipes. Luckily for you, I have some wonderful options.

Appetizers:

  • Tomato-chipotle salsa
  • Jerk salsa
  • Mango-habanero salsa
  • Tropical pico de gallo
  • Cucumber pico de gallo
  • Mexican meatballs with avocado crema
  • Instant Pot chicken enchilada soup

Main dishes:

  • Lobster tacos
  • Beer-braised Mexican beef
  • Lamb tacos
  • Homemade tostadas
  • Jerk chicken enchiladas
  • Red enchilada sauce

Dessert:

  • Spiced-orange tres leches cake

I hope you enjoy every one of these winter margarita recipes as much as I do. They're sure to get you through these chilly months and make the most of winter citrus.

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

Cheers!

7 Winter Margarita Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to my margarita mix to make it better? ›

A splash of fruit juice can also add some more flavor to your margaritas. Grapefruit juice will give a tart, slightly sour flavor, while pineapple juice creates a more tropical-tasting drink. "Citrus-based juices are essential for balancing out the sweetness of a margarita," David Alan told Insider.

Why do you put triple sec in margaritas? ›

To balance the co*cktail's acidity, triple sec is absolutely necessary for traditional Margaritas, according to Bailon.

What is the difference between a frozen margarita and a margarita on the rocks? ›

When serving a margarita over ice cubes, the ice takes longer to melt than it would in a frozen beverage. However, a margarita on-the-rocks becomes more deluded as you enjoy the beverage. By the time you've drunk half your co*cktail, it'll taste waterier than a frozen margarita would.

What is a margarita without ice called? ›

Explanation: A margarita without ice is typically referred to as a neat Margarita. This term originates from the context of serving alcoholic beverages without any water, ice, or other mixer.

What is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

We'll just tell you upfront: The secret to a tasty margarita is freshly squeezed lime juice (not the bottled stuff) and—here's the real secret—a splash of fresh OJ. That's right. Fresh-squeezed juice from an actual orange (not an orange-flavored liqueur) will produce a cleaner-tasting, more refreshing margarita.

What margarita mix do most restaurants use? ›

What Mix Do Most Restaurants Use? For happy hour when co*cktails are cheap, many restaurants use a powdered mix, a concentrate, or a liquid. If restaurant-style mixes are your jam, the two that taste most similar are Zing Zang Margarita Mix and Jose Cuervo Classic Lime Original Margarita Mix.

Is Grand Marnier or triple sec better for a margarita? ›

In short, you should consider the overall character of the co*cktail you're crafting. If you're looking to add a touch of elegance or complexity, go for Grand Marnier. If you want a straightforward, vibrant orange flavor that blends seamlessly with other ingredients, opt for triple sec.

Why is it called a dirty margarita? ›

The dirty margarita takes its inspiration from the dirty martini, a classic libation made with strong liquor and a splash of a little something not-so-clear. We swap olive juice for jalapeno brine, making this a drink that packs the heat–and a punch.

What is the best formula for margaritas? ›

The formula for the perfect margarita:

The key to making the best margarita is all in the ratio and balance of the ingredients. This recipe is doubled to make two margs, but for one perfectly balanced margarita, we use 2 oz. of tequila, 1 oz. of triple sec, and 3/4 oz. lime juice.

What is a Texas margarita vs traditional? ›

What makes a Texas margarita different from the traditional margarita is the addition of fresh orange juice. This gives a juicy and citrusy touch, making the drink lighter and more refreshing than the classic margarita. The classic margarita only relies on lime juice to counter the orange liqueur and tequila.

Is Cointreau better than triple sec for margaritas? ›

That seems to be the general consensus among the bartenders and beverage experts we spoke to – triple sec will do just fine, but Cointreau is the better option and tends to be a higher quality spirit.

What is the best ice for margaritas? ›

Half Dice Ice

The Half Dice Cube, with its substantial size and slow-melting characteristic, is an ideal choice for margaritas served "on the rocks". Cube ice will not dilute your co*cktail quickly, thus maintaining the balance and integrity of flavor in your margarita.

What is skinny girl margarita? ›

Created in 2009 by Bestselling Author and television star Bethenny Frankel, Skinnygirl® Margarita quickly became one of the fastest growing spirits brands in the U.S. in 2011. Skinnygirl® Margaritas feature simple ingredients, including agave nectar and premium blue agave tequila.

What does "dirty" mean in a drink? ›

With martinis, for example, making it “dirty” means the addition of olive juice. 19. Dry. This references the addition of little amounts of dry vermouth or dry gin to achieve that “dry” taste.

What is a Candyman margarita? ›

The Candyman Margarita is a fun and frightening addition to the family of margaritas, with sweet, sour, citrus, berry and candy notes. A co*cktail so delicious it'll make you say Candyman five times! It's the perfect margarita for the tequila lover looking for a fun twist on the classic co*cktail.

How to upgrade a basic margarita? ›

9 Ways to Customize Your Margarita
  1. Sorbet. The Frozen Concoction Maker® perfectly shaves ice to create a refreshing frozen margarita. ...
  2. Cucumber. The key to using cucumber in your margaritas is two fold. ...
  3. Spicy. ...
  4. Mezcal. ...
  5. Moonshine. ...
  6. Key Lime. ...
  7. Pomegranate. ...
  8. Watermelon.

How to jazz up margaritas? ›

How to Spice Up Your Margaritas
  1. Chili Paste. Adding hot sauce to the shaker is one of the easiest way to spice up a marg, but for a more concentrated heat, bartenders sometimes use chili paste. ...
  2. Infusions. ...
  3. Tinctures. ...
  4. Liqueurs. ...
  5. Garnishes.
Aug 30, 2023

What goes well with margarita mix? ›

5 Great Eats to Pair with Your Margaritas
  • Jerk chicken sticks. ...
  • Key West shrimp cakes. ...
  • Tropical margarita dip. ...
  • Easy enchiladas. ...
  • Margarita pie.

How do you dress up a margarita? ›

You can include other citrus options too — orange slices or grapefruit wedges make a fun addition to a classic margarita. The second category of garnishes I rely on are non-citrus fruits. Consider adding sliced peaches,pomegranate seeds or some fresh berries to your set up.

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