By Becky Hardin
Updated Nov 19, 2025
Give your taste buds a treat with a delicious Cranberry Margarita. I love this sweet, tangy pitcher cocktail because it comes together in just a few minutes and always gets the party started. The vibrant cranberry flavor, bright citrus, and smooth tequila make it refreshing yet festive—perfect for holidays, girls’ nights, or any time you want a fun, crowd-pleasing drink.
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Easy Cranberry Margarita Recipe
I love this fun twist on a classic margarita as it’s zesty, salty, and with just a little bit of heat. Sweet and tangy, this pitcher cocktail is perfect for game day, a family get-together, or a holiday celebration.
Tips for Beginners
- Don’t add ice to the pitcher until just before serving. Adding ice too early will dilute the flavor. Alternatively, you can pour the cocktail over ice.
- I like to use Cointreau for a stronger orange flavor . Use triple sec if that’s what you have, or if you prefer more orange flavor, swap the cranberry juice for orange juice.
- For sweeter margaritas. Use cranberry juice cocktail or swap out half of the cranberry juice for apple juice.
- Make it spicy . Add a few slices of jalapeño peppers to give this cranberry margarita a bit of heat.
- Add fresh herbs. Add fresh rosemary or basil for a pretty garnish.
Ingredients1x2x3x
For the Cranberry Margaritas
- ▢ ⅓ cup honey ginger simple syrup (see recipe below)
- ▢ 4½ cups cranberry juice
- ▢ 1 cup lemon juice
- ▢ 1½ cups tequila
- ▢ ½ cup Cointreau
- ▢ 1 lemon sliced
- ▢ ice
For the Honey Lemon Ginger Simple Syrup
- ▢ ½ cup honey
- ▢ 1 cup water
- ▢ 2 lemon peels around 2 inches each
- ▢ 1 inch fresh ginger
Instructions
For the Cranberry Margaritas
- In a pitcher stir together the simple syrup, cranberry juice, and lemon juice. Add the tequila and cointreau and stir to incorporate. Add the lemon slices and fill with ice. ⅓ cup honey ginger simple syrup, 4½ cups cranberry juice, 1 cup lemon juice, 1½ cups tequila, ½ cup Cointreau, ice, 1 lemon
- To assemble each margarita, rub the glass rim with lemon and dip into salt. Once the glasses are rimmed fill with the margarita and decorate with lemon wedges and mint sprigs.
For the Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together the honey, water, lemon peels, and ginger. ½ cup honey, 2 lemon peels, 1 inch fresh ginger, 1 cup water
- Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Discard the lemon peel and the ginger and let it cool down completely before using it.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Cranberry Margaritas Step by Step
Gather the ingredients for the simple syrup.
Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan set over low heat, stir together ½ cup of honey, 1 cup of water, 2 lemon peels, and 1 inch of fresh ginger.
Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, discard the lemon peel and the ginger, and let cool completely before using it.
Make the margaritas: In a pitcher, stir together ⅓ cup of the simple syrup, 4½ cups of cranberry juice, and 1 cup of lemon juice. Add 1½ cups of tequila and ½ cup of Cointreau and stir to incorporate. Add 1 sliced lemon and fill with ice.
Serve the drinks: Rub the glass rims with lemon and then dip them into salt. Once the glasses are rimmed, fill with the margarita mixture and decorate with lemon wedges and mint sprigs.
How to Store
This cranberry margarita recipe is a great make-ahead pitcher cocktail. Make the whole drink in the pitcher, but omit the ice. Cover the pitcher with plastic wrap and it will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days.
The simple syrup will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. Simply let cool and transfer it to a resealable container.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve these festive margaritas with all my traditional holiday meals, like my easy Thanksgiving turkey , or sheet pan Christmas ham , make-ahead cranberry meatballs , or a juicy and festive orange cranberry pork loin .
more margarita recipes
Spicy Mango Margarita Recipe
White Wine Margaritas Cocktail
Strawberry Margarita Punch
Skinny Peach Frozen Margarita Recipe
Cranberry Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cranberry Margaritas
- ⅓ cup honey ginger simple syrup (see recipe below)
- 4½ cups cranberry juice
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1½ cups tequila
- ½ cup Cointreau
- 1 lemon sliced
- ice
For the Honey Lemon Ginger Simple Syrup
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup water
- 2 lemon peels around 2 inches each
- 1 inch fresh ginger
Instructions
For the Cranberry Margaritas
- In a pitcher stir together the simple syrup, cranberry juice, and lemon juice. Add the tequila and cointreau and stir to incorporate. Add the lemon slices and fill with ice. ⅓ cup honey ginger simple syrup, 4½ cups cranberry juice, 1 cup lemon juice, 1½ cups tequila, ½ cup Cointreau, ice, 1 lemon
- To assemble each margarita, rub the glass rim with lemon and dip into salt. Once the glasses are rimmed fill with the margarita and decorate with lemon wedges and mint sprigs.
For the Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan over low heat, stir together the honey, water, lemon peels, and ginger. ½ cup honey, 2 lemon peels, 1 inch fresh ginger, 1 cup water
- Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Discard the lemon peel and the ginger and let it cool down completely before using it.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
