Pioneer Woman Cranberry Margarita

Pioneer Woman cranberry margarita is an easy holiday cocktail made with cranberry juice, tequila, triple sec and honey simple syrup, ready in 5 minutes. It works for Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's Eve parties, since you can scale the recipe to fill a whole pitcher for a crowd.

The shake time is what makes or breaks this drink, so keep going for a full 10 to 20 seconds with plenty of ice. Stopping too early leaves the cocktail warm and harsh, which hides the cranberry flavor behind the raw tequila bite.

Most cranberry margaritas use regular simple syrup, but this version swaps it for a honey-based one that adds a rounder, almost floral sweetness. That small change softens the tartness of the cranberry juice without making the drink taste sugary, and it pairs better with the tequila.

Pioneer Woman Cranberry Margarita

Recipe by Bilel

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

210

kcal

A shaken tequila cocktail with cranberry juice, fresh lime, triple sec and a homemade honey simple syrup, served over ice with a salted rim.

Ingredients

• For the Honey Simple Syrup:

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1/4 cup hot water

• For the Margarita:

• 4 ounces cranberry juice cocktail

• 1 ounce fresh lime juice

• 3 ounces tequila blanco

• 1 ounce triple sec or other orange-flavored liqueur

• 1 ounce honey simple syrup

• Ice

• For the Rim and Garnish:

• 3 tablespoons kosher salt

• 2 lime wedges

• 6 fresh or frozen cranberries

Directions

• Make the honey simple syrup:Combine the honey and hot water in a liquid measuring cup. Whisk until combined, then set aside to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to use (keeps up to 2 weeks).
• Salt the rims:Place the kosher salt on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass, then dip the rims in the salt.
• Shake the margarita:In a cocktail shaker, combine the cranberry juice, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, honey simple syrup and ice. Shake for 10 to 20 seconds to chill thoroughly.
• Strain and serve: Strain the cocktail and divide evenly between the two glasses, being careful not to splash the rims. Garnish with lime wedges and a few cranberries.

Tools for this recipe

• OXO Steel cocktail shaker, Zulay metal lemon squeezer, Pyrex 2-cup glass measuring cup, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 3 lb. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Should I use cranberry juice cocktail or pure cranberry juice?

Cranberry juice cocktail works better than 100% pure cranberry juice here, since pure juice is much more tart and bitter. The cocktail version is lighter and already slightly sweetened, which keeps the drink balanced without adding extra syrup.

What type of tequila works best?

Blanco tequila is the best choice because its clean, crisp flavor lets the cranberry and lime come through. Reposado works too but adds an oak note that makes the drink taste heavier, and gold tequila is usually too sweet.

Can I make the honey simple syrup ahead of time?

You can make the honey simple syrup up to two weeks ahead and store it in a sealed jar in the fridge. Having it ready means you can shake a round in under two minutes when guests arrive, and that speed matters at a holiday party.

What if I want a sweet rim instead of salt?

Skip the salt rim and dip in coarse sugar or turbinado sugar instead if you prefer a sweeter edge on the glass. Both work because the coarse crystals stick to the lime-rubbed rim the same way salt does.

How should I garnish this?

Garnish with a few fresh or frozen cranberries dropped into the glass, since they float and slowly chill the drink as it sits. A lime wheel on the rim or a sprig of rosemary adds a holiday look, and neither one changes the flavor.