Make the holidays extra merry with this white Christmas margarita recipe!
Coconut cream, lime juice, cranberries, and tequila make it taste like a dreamy winter wonderland.
It’s a festive twist on the classic summer drink that’s perfect for the snowy season.
What Is a White Christmas Margarita?
The white Christmas margarita gets its name from the 1954 musical White Christmas.
As the name suggests, it’s the winter version of the classic warm-weather cocktail.
Lime, triple sec, and tequila make it taste delightfully familiar. But unlike a traditional margarita, it comes with a festive, wintery twist.
Coconut cream, shredded coconut, and fresh cranberries, to be precise!
It’s citrusy, creamy, dreamy, and all dressed up for the season. Ideal for all your Christmas parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this white Christmas margarita are similar to the traditional cocktail.
What makes it unique, though, is the cream of coconut. And believe me, you don’t want to skip it!
Here’s a list of everything you need:
- Shredded Sweetened Coconut – Rimming the glass in coconut makes it look like snow! Plus, it’s super yummy.
- Lime – You need the zest for the rim, juice for the drink, and a wedge for garnish.
- Tequila – Also known as blanco, silver tequila is best for this drink. Since it’s clear, it lets the snow white color of the coconut cream shine.
- Cointreau – A key margarita ingredient. Triple Sec works, too.
- Cream of Coconut – Cream of coconut has a thick, rich, and creamy flavor. Perfect for this tropical winter cocktail! You can find it in the cocktail aisle (Coco Lopez).
- Ice – This cocktail is best served on the rocks.
- Fresh Cranberries – This garnish is optional. But they sure make the drink pop!
How to Make a White Christmas Margarita
Ready to wet your whistle? Then let’s make this Christmas cocktail and celebrate the holidays in style!
Here are the basic steps:
1. Rim the glass. Combine the shredded coconut and lime zest on a plate. Rub the rim of a glass with a lime wedge. Dip the rim into the coconut mixture.
2. Fill the cocktail shaker. Pack a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour the tequila, Cointreau, cream of coconut, and lime juice on top. Shake well for 15 seconds.
3. Strain. Strain the margarita into the prepared glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lime wedge if desired. Serve and sip!
What Tequila Is Best for Margaritas?
Finding the right tequila for any margarita recipe is key. But since there are so many different types of tequila, it can seem like a daunting task.
Fret not! I’ve rounded up some of my top picks to help you out.
Just remember, it’s a “white” Christmas margarita – so you need Blanco tequila for the clear color.
- Patron Silver – What I love about this silver tequila is how smooth and clean it is. It’s not a bargain buy, but it’s not as splurgy as some others.
- Espolon – This is one of my favorite affordable brands. It’s a little tropical and citrusy, perfect for a margarita!
- Herradura – Herradura and margaritas are made for one another. Citrusy and smooth, it’s the ideal tequila for this classic cocktail.
- Don Julio – If you want a bit more spice, try Don Julio Blanco. It has some complementary peppery notes.
Variations
Want to put your own spin on this fun cocktail? Great news, you can!
Like a classic margarita, you can customize it with ease. Here are some variations you should try:
- Add coconut water. Is the drink a little too rich? Add coconut water! It’s delicious and makes it a little less creamy.
- Try white cranberry juice. White cranberry juice adds a delightfully sweet twist. And, it won’t change the color.
- Sweeten with simple syrup. If you’re a sweet, fruity drink fan, add a splash of simple syrup.
- Mix up the garnish. Pomegranate seeds, a sprig of rosemary, or mint leaves would all look festive.
- Switch up the rim. For extra sweetness, dip the coconut lime rim in granulated sugar. You can even add a pinch of sea salt for a delightful contrast.
- Make it a pitcher cocktail. Serving a crowd? Just multiply the recipe and serve it in a pitcher or punch bowl.
How to Make It Ahead
Are you planning a holiday party? Make this cocktail in advance! It will save you time later and be ready for when your guests arrive.
It will be fine in the fridge for up to 3 days without any ice. So, grab a pitcher and follow these steps:
1. Combine the ingredients. In a pitcher, combine the tequila, Cointreau, cream of coconut, and lime juice. Stir, cover, and refrigerate.
2. Prep the glasses. When ready to serve, prep the margarita glasses according to the instructions.
3. Pour the cocktail. Stir the cocktail in the pitcher and pour into the margarita glasses.
4. Garnish and serve. Garnish with a lime wedge and cranberries if desired. Serve and enjoy!
More Festive Cocktails to Enjoy
Mexican Horchata
Hot Buttered Rum
Christmas Punch
Mulled Wine
White Christmas Margarita
1
servings10
minutes468
kcalMake the holidays extra merry with this white Christmas margarita! It’s a festive twist on the classic summer drink that’s perfect for the snowy season.
Ingredients
- For the rim:
1/4 cup finely shredded sweetened coconut
zest of 1 lime
lime wedge
- For the margarita:
2 ounces silver tequila
1 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
1 1/2 ounces cream of coconut (Coco Lopez)
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1/4 cup ice
- For garnish:
lime wedge
fresh cranberries (optional)
Instructions
- On a small, flat plate, mix the shredded coconut with the lime zest.
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of a margarita glass. Dip the rim into the coconut mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place the glass in the fridge until ready to serve.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the tequila, Cointreau, cream of coconut, and lime juice. Shake well for about 15 seconds.
- Strain the margarita into the prepared glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and fresh cranberries (optional).
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use coconut water instead of coconut cream to make it less rich.
- Use Blanco or Silver tequila to keep the color white.
