White Christmas Margarita

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Cocktail History

The White Christmas Margarita is a holiday cocktail that was created in 2015 by Jessica Merchant, recipe developer and blogger at How Sweet Eats based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Originally designed as a batch cocktail for holiday gatherings, the recipe combines the classic base spirit of tequila with a refreshing citrus mix, simple syrup, and cranberries. What sets this Margarita apart, though, is the addition of coconut-flavored ingredients that give the cocktail its signature white, wintry hue and a creamy, tropical flair. The combination of bright citrus and coconut adds a festive, creamy element, while the cranberries bring in a burst of tartness, making it both visually striking and delicious.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Tequila Blanco: This is a spirit made with unaged agave and water. I used Piedra Azul Tequila Blanco.

Coconut Water: This is the clear, naturally occurring liquid found inside young coconuts. I used Vita Coco Coconut Water.

Orange Curaçao: This is a liqueur made with oranges, sugar, and brandy or rum. I used Naranja Orange Liqueur.

Coconut Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with coconut flakes, sugar, milk, alcohol, and water. I used Dorda Coconut Liqueur.

Cream of Coconut: This is a sweet, thickened coconut product made with coconut milk and sugar. I used Coco Lopez Real Cream of Coconut.

Lime Juice: This is the tangy liquid extracted from the flesh of limes. I used fresh lime juice.

Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. I used this stovetop recipe.

Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.

Rosemary: This is an aromatic evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust, piney, and slightly peppery flavor.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Gold Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. I used the Anchor Hocking Reality Rocks Glass.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Silky white color

• Aroma: Woodsy rosemary and slight agave

• Taste: A creamy flavor that combines citrus, tequila, and coconut

• Finish: Strong coconut and orange notes

Kendall’s Take
“This holiday spin on the iconic Margarita brings together tequila and creamy coconut in a way that somehow feels both tropical and wintry at the same time. Think Margarita meets Piña Colada, but with a seasonal holiday edge. Thanks to its clever blend of coconut and citrus, the White Christmas Margarita is silky, slightly indulgent, and just different enough to surprise people—all while looking absolutely stunning in the glass. Definitely one to keep in your Christmas rotation.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found on How Sweet Eats.