Ingredients
Liquids
- 6 oz Tequila (blanco or añejo, or gin or vodka)
- 6 oz Cranberry juice
- 3 oz Fresh squeezed lime juice
- 1½ oz Cointreau (or triple sec)
- 1½ oz Simple syrup
Garnishes & Extras
- 3-5 Fresh mint leaves
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt (for rimming glasses)
- Cranberries (for garnish, fresh or sugared)
- Ice cubes (for shaking and serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Sugared Cranberries (Optional): Toss fresh cranberries in simple syrup, then coat them in dry cane sugar. Allow them to dry at room temperature or place in an oven set to the lowest temperature to dry faster.
- Squeeze Lime Juice: Use a citrus juicer to extract fresh lime juice needed for the cocktail.
- Rim the Glasses: Rub the rims of your glasses with a lime wedge. Pour kosher salt onto a small plate and dip the glass rims into the salt until fully coated.
- Measure Ingredients and Pick Mint: Prepare all remaining ingredients and pick fresh mint leaves.
- Add Ingredients to Shaker: Place a handful of ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Add lime juice, tequila, cranberry juice, Cointreau, simple syrup, and fresh mint leaves.
- Shake the Cocktail: Secure the shaker lid tightly and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds up to 1 minute to chill and combine the flavors.
- Prepare Glasses: Add a few fresh ice cubes to each rimmed glass.
- Strain Cocktail: Strain the shaken cocktail evenly into the prepared glasses.
- Optional Top-Off: If needed, top off each glass with seltzer water or champagne to add fizz and volume.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish each drink with a fresh mint sprig and a few sugared cranberries. Serve immediately cold and enjoy!
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic variation, substitute tequila and Cointreau with sparkling water and a splash of orange juice.
- Sugared cranberries can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.
- Adjust sweetness by altering the amount of simple syrup according to taste.
- Using freshly squeezed lime juice enhances the cocktail’s brightness and overall flavor.
- The cocktail can be customized with different spirits such as gin or vodka if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
