Introducing the Pomegranate Christmas Margarita — your new favorite Christmas cocktail. It wouldn’t quite feel like the holidays without a margarita on Christmas, right? It is 2020, after all, so anything goes! Fortunately, I’ve crafted Christmas in a cup that maintains the classic flavor of your favorite margarita, a delicious twist to top off this crazy year.

Cocktail glass filled with pomegranate christmas margarita on holiday tablescape

Yes, margaritas are for Christmas!

I know what you’re thinking: Margaritas don’t quite scream *Happy Holidays* and seem a bit out of place next to holly wreaths, Christmas trees, and cranberries. BUT, hear me out — don’t we owe 2020 a new, out-of-the-box, classic Christmas cocktail? Am I alone in needing a strong margarita amidst the chaos of planning a memorable, socially-distanced, safe holiday season? This has been a crazy year after all, so, if you ask me, we deserve it!

Now, as much as I (obviously) love the classic margarita, I do still want to incorporate some of my favorite festive holiday flavors. This easy Christmas margarita recipe incorporates pomegranate and a ginger simple syrup, which really gives the cocktail a sweet holiday essence.

Why you’ll love this Christmas Margarita:

You really do need a margarita for every season. Whether you love your margarita flavored, frozen and with a sugar rim, or you prefer a classic lime margarita on the rocks with salt, this classic tequila cocktail should always have a place on the menu. One of my favorite things about margarita recipes is how easy it is to customize them to any theme! Christmastime? Use cranberries and pomegranate. Summertime? Strawberry and mango. Anytime? Totally up to you.
It’s a great excuse to make a batch of your own ginger simple syrup. It is always a good idea to have a batch of homemade ginger simple syrup in the pantry. Super easy to make and great to add into cocktails, tea, coffee, pancakes or any number of delicious dishes, this syrup adds just the right amount of flare to any recipe.
It can be made for one or many. Like any margarita, this cocktail recipe is just as easy to make for one person as it is to make for a larger group. For frozen margaritas, simply add more of each ingredient and make sure you have enough ice. When making on the rocks, consider using a larger shaker or taking the “stirred” route in your favorite carafe.
The variations are endless. Margaritas are one of the best cocktails because, at the end of the day, you can make it all about you. So easy to customize based on your favorite preferences or mood of the day, half the fun of this Christmas margarita is choosing the flavors, the textures, and the beautiful glass you’ll sip from.

Ingredients for christmas margarita, including a can of ginger beer, a half lime, a glass bottle of tequila, sliced pomegranates, and Grand Marnier liqueur

Ingredients for Christmas Margaritas:

For ginger simple syrup:

Sugar
Water
Ginger, thinly sliced
Cinnamon sticks

For margarita:

Gold tequila
Orange liqueur
Lime juice
Pomegranate juice
Ginger simple syrup
Ginger beer (optional)

How to make Christmas Margaritas:

Make the ginger simple syrup: To make the ginger simple syrup, bring 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar to a simmer, then remove from heat and add in ginger slices and cinnamon sticks. Steep for 10 minutes and strain simple syrup into a mason jar or seal-tight container.
Mix the cocktail ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, pomegranate juice, and ginger simple syrup. Fill with ice and shake for 20-30 seconds or until well chilled. Strain into a margarita or low ball glass filled with crushed ice.
Garnish and serve: Top with a light layer of ginger beer (optional) and gently stir together. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, mandarin wedge, and pomegranate aerials if desired.

Pro Tips from a Margarita Lover:

Change up the flavors. While I used pomegranate juice for this Christmas margarita recipe, you could easily swap it for cranberry and still keep the festive, winter feel. And if you’re looking for a margarita recipe to use year-round, you can use any number of flavors — some of my favorites are watermelon, mango, and, of course, the classic lime.
Frozen or on the rocks? This margarita recipe is made using a cocktail shaker and served over ice, or “on the rocks,” but if you prefer frozen margaritas, you can blend the ingredients with ice instead.
Garnish your cocktails. Traditionally rimmed with salt and lime, for these Christmas margaritas I rim the glass first with mandarin wedge juice and then sugar crystals.

Looking for more margarita recipes? Give these a try!

Other holiday cocktail recipes to try: