Drinks Cocktails Tequila Cocktails Margaritas Rosemary-Cranberry Margarita 4.5 (6) 5 Reviews This drink proves why cranberry and rosemary are a perfect match. By Lucy Simon Lucy Simon Lucy Simon is a New York-based wine, spirits, and food writer has been with Food & Wine since the spring of 2021. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on October 9, 2024 Tested by Renu Dhar Tested by Renu Dhar Renu is a personal chef, culinary instructor, and food blogger. Meet the Food & Wine Test Kitchen Save Rate PRINT Share Close Photo: Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Christina Daley Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 30 mins Yield: 1 drink Jump to recipe The Rosemary-Cranberry Margarita is a wintery riff on a classic Margarita that features a rosemary-infused simple syrup, blanco tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. The drink is served in a glass rimmed with a sugar-salt mixture that is flavored with fresh rosemary leaves. While often a summertime go-to, Margaritas are a refreshing tequila cocktail that should be enjoyed year-round. This winter-inspired riff on a classic by bartender and cocktail content creator Kaitlyn Stewart combines traditional Margarita ingredients with the cozy flavors of tart cranberry and woodsy rosemary. The rosemary flavor in this drink comes from a homemade simple syrup that is infused with whole rosemary sprigs. While the syrup offers plenty of herbaceous flavor, you can also infuse the tequila with rosemary for just a few hours to add extra earthy, peppery notes. Rosemary-infused simple syrup can be made up to five days in advance; remove rosemary sprigs before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The 12 Best Margarita Recipes The Rosemary-Cranberry Margarita is can be easily scaled up and batched for a crowd a few days in advance of serving. “Fresh citrus is always ideal to use when making drinks, batched or not,” says Stewart. “That being said, citrus does have shelf life once juiced. If you are adding fresh juice to a batched cocktail, I would suggest consuming the batch within a week. After a week, the citrus juice will not be at its best.” Why the Rosemary-Cranberry Margarita works This riff on a classic Margarita is all about combining sweet and tart ingredients in balance with one another. Blanco tequila has a sweet undertone with fresh citrusy aromas as well, and the orange liqueur doubles down on the citrus-peel qualities in the tequila. Freshly squeezed lime juice adds bracing acidity, and unsweetened cranberry juice (we like the Lakewood brand) lets you customize the sweetness level of the cocktail to your own preferences. This cocktail can also be served frozen: Add the ingredients to a blender, and process with ice. Want to Buy Better Tequila? Look for This Code on the Back of the Bottle Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients Rosemary simple syrup 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup water 3 rosemary sprigs Cocktail 1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila 3/4 ounce unsweetened cranberry juice 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (such as Cointreau) 1/2 ounce lime juice, plus lime wedge 1/2 ounce rosemary simple syrup For garnish: 2 teaspoons granulated sugar For garnish: 1 teaspoon kosher salt For garnish: rosemary sprig For garnish: fresh cranberries Directions Make the rosemary simple syrup: Stir together sugar, 1/2 cup water, and rosemary in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is syrupy and rosemary has wilted, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool completely, about 20 minutes. (If making ahead of time, remove rosemary sprigs, and store syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.) Prepare your glass: Combine granulated sugar and kosher salt on a small plate. Using your fingers, rub rosemary leaves into sugar mixture until fragrant and oils release, about 30 seconds. Rub rim of rocks glass with lime wedge; dip into sugar mixture. Fill glass with ice and set aside. Make the cocktail: Combine tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, lime juice, and rosemary simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain cocktail into prepared rocks glass. Garnish with rosemary sprig and fresh cranberries, if using. How to batch a Rosemary-Cranberry Margarita To batch this cocktail in advance, stir together 1 1/2 cups tequila, 3/4 cups cranberry juice, 1/2 cup orange liqueur, 1/2 cup lime juice, and 1/2 cup Rosemary Simple Syrup in a large pitcher. Chill in the refrigerator for 45 minutes. While the drink can be poured directly into the serving glass, shaking each serving in a cocktail shaker with ice will ensure a frothy, creamy texture. Serves 8. Rate It Print