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 is the secret ingredient in margaritas? ›

The secret to the perfect margarita, we discovered, is to skip Cointreau/orange liqueur altogether and replace it with freshly squeezed orange juice. The difference is remarkable.

Is triple sec or Cointreau better for margaritas? ›

The classic margarita calls for Cointreau (plus good silver tequila and fresh lime juice). Because its flavor is uncomplicated by spice notes, Cointreau is very adaptable in blending, and shakes up beautifully with clear spirits as well as with brandies, and darker, aged liquors.

How many standard drinks are in the following recipe for margarita? ›

One Margarita is about 1.5 standard drinks.

What is in Texas Roadhouse House margarita? ›

Texas Roadhouse's Legendary Margarita is made with 19% Persian lime juice and blue agave from the Jalisco region of Mexico, blended with orange oils, which creates a one-of-a-kind flavor profile. Since the opening of the first Texas Roadhouse in 1993, the Legendary Margarita has become the signature drink.

What to add to 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.

What is a dirty margarita made of? ›

Combine tequila, olive juice, lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the glass over ice cubes. Garnish with olives and onions.

Can I use Grand Marnier instead of Cointreau in a margarita? ›

Are they interchangeable? The answers are yes and no. While Cointreau and Grand Marnier aren't the same style of orange liqueur and therefore aren't exactly interchangeable, you can still make substitutions if necessary– with some small adjustments.

What is the best liquor to use in margaritas? ›

While blanco, minimally or unaged tequila, is traditionally the bottle of choice for a Margarita, aged expressions such as reposado can be employed as well, and sometimes a high-proof offering is the key to a killer co*cktail.

Why are my margaritas so sour? ›

Problem: You're Using Sour Mix

If you didn't already know, bottled sour mix is a blend of artificial lime juice, citric acid and corn syrup.

What is the formula for a margarita? ›

In the end, a good Margarita is a question of proportions. It is a simple formula: 2 – 1 – ½ . 2 parts tequila, 1 part lime juice, ½ part cointreau. I like to measure in ounces, because the correct proportions, measured as 2 ounces, 1 ounce, ½ ounces make the perfect sized drink for the glasses I like to use.

What is the strongest co*cktail? ›

And last on our list, but certainly not the least (amount of alcohol, that is), we have the Aunt Roberta. This co*cktail contains 100% liquor and is widely regarded as THE strongest co*cktail in the world.

Which part of the body absorbs the most alcohol? ›

Once swallowed, a drink enters the stomach and small intestine, where small blood vessels carry it to the bloodstream. Approximately 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the stomach and most of the remaining 80% is absorbed through the small intestine.

What is a spider margarita? ›

Tarantula Ready-To-Drink Margaritas

Made with Tarantula Tequila and Triple Sec, these drinks deliver the delicious taste of a margarita and the convenience of a pre-mixed co*cktail.

What should always be asked when a guest orders a margarita? ›

Final answer: When a guest orders a margarita, always ask for ID to verify age, suggest upsell options, inquire about flavor preference, and whether they would like salt or no salt on the rim and if they prefer the margarita on the rocks or frozen.

What is Texas Roadhouse most famous for? ›

The Success of Texas Roadhouse. The secret to our success, first and foremost, is our Legendary food and service. Complimentary fresh baked bread and peanuts, hand-cut steaks daily, with 2 made from scratch sides, and Fall-Off-The-Bone-Ribs are few other reasons why our guests love dining with us.

What is a real margarita made of? ›

In a co*cktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over). Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve.

What are truly margaritas made of? ›

Made with real lime juice concentrate, agave nectar and sea salt to deliver a unique mix of sweet, sour, salty and refreshing flavor in every sip. Bring a Truly pack to your next tailgate for the win!

What was the original margarita made with? ›

The "Original Margarita" recipe, as given by Cointreau on their website, has slightly more of their own sweet liqueur: 1 part white tequila, 1⁄2 part Cointreau, and 1⁄2 part fresh squeezed lime juice.

What is a substitute for triple sec in a margarita? ›

If you don't have triple sec handy, you can substitute with another good-quality orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For a non-alcoholic substitute you can add fresh orange juice, or agave nectar/simple syrup, to add a touch of sweetness.

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