Want to feel a little jollier for the holidays? Try some tequila! Whether you rework a few classic cocktails with añejo tequila or smoky mezcal, or you give the classic margarita a festive and merry holiday makeover, you'll find that tequila's flavors complement Christmas drinks beautifully. The hardest part is deciding where to start. So toss on some Christmas music, open a bottle of tequila, and get going!
Saint Nickarita
Cranberries are more than just a decoration on your tablescape and far more than just a side dish at Christmas. They're also the perfect companion for some tasty tequila in a festive holiday tipple.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- Ice
- Orange wheel, sugar-coated rosemary sprig, and pierced cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, silver tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a margarita glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange wheel, sugared rosemary sprig, and pierced cranberries.
Christmas Margarita
Give yourself the gift of a rich margarita using subtle notes of hazelnut. Pro tip: While making this drink, sing to yourself, "Hazelnuts roasting on an open fire."
Ingredients
- 2 ounces reposado tequila
- ¾ ounce cherry juice
- ¾ ounce hazelnut liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- Crushed ice
- Lime ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, reposado tequila, cherry juice, hazelnut liqueur, lime juice, and agave.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over crushed ice.
- Garnish with a lime ribbon.
Mistletoe and Holly Margarita
Add a kiss of Christmas color with this margarita. It'll have you humming Christmas tunes while you shop online for everyone on Santa's nice list.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and sugar for rim
- 2 ounces coconut tequila
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce pineapple liqueur
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- Ice
- Lime wheel and cranberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, coconut tequila, lime juice, pineapple liqueur, and agave syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass.
- Garnish with lime wheel and cranberries.
Mexican Holiday Mule
Vodka is fine; there's nothing wrong with it. Except when you want something just different enough to put a new spin on a classic and simultaneously make it festive.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Cranberries, lime wedge, mint sprig, and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a copper mug or rocks glass, add ice, tequila, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with cranberries, lime wedge, mint sprig, and cinnamon stick.
Frankincense
A riff on the classic penicillin cocktail, this frankincense may not technically have any healing properties. But that doesn't mean it won't be the perfect balm for all that ails you.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces mezcal
- 1 ounce honey syrup
- ¾ ounce ginger liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Ice
- Candied ginger for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, honey syrup, ginger liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with candied ginger.
Añejo Manhattan
There's no fancy name for this smooth classic cocktail spin. It'll not only look good in your hand next to a crackling fireplace, but the añejo Manhattan will also warm you to your toes, no matter how chilly and white your Christmas is.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a mixing glass, add ice, añejo tequila, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with pierced cocktail cherries.
Spiced Hot Chocolate
Bring the heat on Christmas or any of your favorite winter holidays with a sweet yet spicy hot chocolate. It's perfectly warm and cozy as it is, but feel free to kick it up a notch with even more heat. You can double the chili liqueur, but fair warning: it's not for the faint of heart.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces silver tequila
- ¾ ounce whipped cream vodka
- ¼ ounce of chili liqueur
- 5 ounces hot chocolate
- Whipped cream, grated chocolate, star anise, and candy cane for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling it with hot water.
- After the mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In the mug, add tequila, whipped cream vodka, chili liqueur, and hot chocolate.
- Carefully stir to mix.
- Garnish with whipped cream, grated chocolate, star anise, and candy cane.
White Christmas Margarita
Bring the snowy, blustering weather indoors with a creamy white margarita. It pairs outstandingly well with a folded piece of paper, scissors, and craftily made snowflakes.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 2 ounces cream of coconut
- 2 ounces coconut water
- 1 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- Ice
- Cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, silver tequila, cream of coconut, coconut water, lime juice, orange liqueur, and agave.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with cranberries and a rosemary sprig.
Spiced Silver Bell Cocktail
Warm winter spices, cozy cranberry, and smooth tequila? It's a Christmas cocktail that's so tasty, it'll make your ears ring.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce cranberry juice
- ½ ounce allspice dram
- ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- 1-2 dashes cinnamon bitters
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, cranberry juice, allspice dram, lime juice, and cinnamon bitters.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with lime wheel, if desired.
Mrs. Claus's Secret
You know exactly how Mrs. Claus spends the time when her husband is away. She lights sugarplum scented candles and sinks into a warm bubble bath to admire her Christmas decorations with this tasty drink in hand. We suggest you do the same.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 ounces pomegranate juice
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wheel and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, silver tequila, cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lime wheel and rosemary sprig.
Tequila Toddy
Snuggle into your bed with a holiday-appropriate movie on the screen, and be sure you have this honeyed toddy in hand. It's perfect for unwinding after your fourth holiday party this year.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 1 ounce honey syrup
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- Freshly brewed chamomile tea OR hot water to top off
- Star anise and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After the mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- In the mug, add tequila, honey syrup, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with tea.
- Garnish with star anise and cinnamon stick.
Jack Frost's Highball
Open your home to Jack Frost; we promise he won't leave you with a brain freeze. This cocktail is full of winter fruit and spice that's oh-so-perfect at Christmas.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ounce raspberry liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, silver tequila, cranberry juice, raspberry liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
Santa's Helper Martini
Grab your favorite ugly sweater and pour yourself a tart tequila martini to keep the festive feeling going all holiday season long.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces silver tequila
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce cranberry juice
- Ice
- Cranberries and rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and cranberry juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into coupe glass.
- Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprig.
Rosatini
What could be more delightful than a rosy-colored martini that's as pink as your cheeks after a day in the snow? Come in from the cold, turn on your twinkle lights, and enjoy your own silent night as you sip on a rosatini.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces silver tequila
- ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce cherry liqueur
- Ice
- Edible glitter for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, silver tequila, lime juice, simple syrup, and cherry liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with edible glitter, if desired.
Midnight Star Espresso Martini
An espresso martini is the ideal cocktail for when you're frantically wrapping up those final gifts or finishing up some last-minute shopping late into the night. A tequila espresso martini makes those things far more bearable.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces mezcal
- ¾ ounce coffee liqueur
- ¾ ounce espresso
- ¼ ounce Irish cream
- Ice
- Three whole coffee beans for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, mezcal, coffee liqueur, espresso, and Irish cream.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with three whole coffee beans.
Cinnamon Tequila Sour
Wait, wait, wait. Don't scroll past just yet. The flavor profile might seem unusual, but the tart and spiced flavors perfectly balance the holiday desserts on the table, while the egg whites create a seasonal snowy froth on top of the drink.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Cinnamon stick and ground cinnamon for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix the ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick and ground cinnamon.
Christmas Cookie Cocktail
A rich egg white cocktail that tastes exactly like a cookie without having to scrub a cookie sheet after another failed attempt at scratch baking? Sign us up.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces añejo tequila
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur
- 2 ounces heavy cream
- ¾ ounce brown crème de cacao
- 1-2 dashes chocolate bitters
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Ground cinnamon and cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add añejo tequila, coffee liqueur, heavy cream, brown crème de cacao, chocolate bitters, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with ground cinnamon and cinnamon stick.
Holly Jolly Tequila Punch
Step one, open your refrigerator and gather all of your favorite fruit juices. Step two, add tequila. Step three, get back to decorating with a glassful of joy.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- ¾ ounce grenadine
- Ice
- Orange wheel for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, silver tequila, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, lime juice, and grenadine.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into cocktail glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with orange wheel if desired.
Winter Paloma
Layer in a splash of cranberry juice to your traditional paloma; think of the addition as dressing your paloma in a not-so-ugly Christmas sweater.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce cranberry juice
- ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Grapefruit soda to top off
- Rosemary sprig and grapefruit wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, tequila, cranberry juice, and lime juice.
- Top off with grapefruit soda.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig and grapefruit wheel.
Winter Añejo Old-Fashioned
If a classic bourbon old-fashioned is like a familiar soft scarf, then the añejo old-fashioned is your new favorite scarf - one that you put on one day and it feels like it was meant to be all along.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces añejo
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- ¼ ounce allspice dram
- 2-3 dashes orange bitters
- Ice
- Skewered orange peel and cocktail cherry
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, añejo, simple syrup, allspice dram, and orange bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with skewered orange peel and cocktail cherry.
Garland and Glitter
The warmth of cinnamon takes this tequila cocktail from pretty good to one that'll be your favorite one this holiday season.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces silver tequila
- ¾ ounce cinnamon liqueur
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Vanilla club soda to top off
- Cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, cinnamon liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with vanilla club soda.
Tequila Drinks for the Jolliest Holiday Season Ever
According to a very real, not-at-all made up study from a school in Cambridge, it's a possibly scientific fact that it's impossible not to be jolly with a tequila cocktail in hand. Armed with that knowledge, it would be only fitting to cozy up to these tequila drinks this Christmas.
