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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.
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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 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “I don’t usually care for tropical flavor combinations during the fall and winter seasons, but I have to admit that this Christmas variation of a Margarita is absolutely delicious. I’d call the White Christmas Margarita a cross between the iconic tequila cocktail and a Piña Colada. It blends the best elements of both into a silky and complex concoction that’s as pretty as the fresh blanket of snow we just got. Don’t sleep on this one!”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from How Sweet Eats, a food and beverage recipe blog.
White Christmas Margarita
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. Designed to be a batch cocktail for Christmas parties, the recipe mixes the classic base spirit of tequila with a citrus, simple syrup, cranberries, and a flurry of coconut-flavored ingredients to give it a bright white hue.

Ingredients
Method
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Add tequila, coconut water, orange curaçao, coconut liqueur, cream of coconut, lime juice, simple syrup, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a lowball glass over fresh cubed ice.
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Garnish with cranberries and rosemary sprig.