White Christmas Margarita

This White Christmas Margarita is creamy, festive, and ready in minutes. Made with tequila, coconut cream, and white cranberry juice, it's the perfect holiday margarita for Christmas parties and winter entertaining.

 

Snowy White Christmas Margarita Cocktail

A traditional margarita is all about tequila, lime, and orange liqueur. This White Christmas Margarita is a festive holiday version made with tequila, coconut rum, white cranberry juice, fresh lime, and coconut cream. It's lightly sweet, creamy, citrusy, and snowy white in color - perfect for winter parties. Sanding sugar looks beautiful and festive on the rim. When combined with granulated sugar, it sparkles even more. The white color, rosemary sprig, and cranberries make it ideal for Christmas Eve, holiday entertaining, or even New Year's, just like my Christmas cranberry mimosa and Sugar Cookie Martini.

Why You'll Love It

• Creamy but still drinks like a margarita!
• Holiday flavor combo: Coconut + white cranberry + lime gives that wintery, snowy vibe without heavy spices. It feels festive but refreshing.
• Super easy, 5-minute prep time: No blender, no syrups, no complicated steps. This is my go-to easy holiday cocktail when guests show up unexpectedly.
• Flexible alcohol options: You can keep it tequila-forward or use coconut rum instead, depending on your crowd (great for guests who "don't love tequila").
• I provide the recipe for both a single drink and a batch version if you're hosting a party.

Ingredient Breakdown & Substitutions 

• Tequila (silver/blanco): I used blanco tequila because it's clean and crisp, which keeps the drink bright. Reposado works too, but it'll add warmth and color.
• Coconut rum: This adds subtle sweetness and that holiday coconut flavor. If you want less sweetness, you can reduce it slightly and add more tequila.
• Orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier): You can use either. Cointreau is lighter and citrus-forward. Grand Marnier makes it richer and deeper.
• White cranberry juice: This keeps the drink pale and festive. Regular cranberry juice works, but it'll turn the cocktail pink.
• Coconut cream: This is the key to that creamy, snowy texture. Make sure it's well mixed - straight from the can can be chunky.
• Fresh lime juice: I always squeeze fresh. It balances the coconut and keeps the margarita from tasting flat.
• Sugar rim: I like mixing sanding sugar with regular sugar for sparkle without being too crunchy.
• Garnishes: Fresh cranberries and rosemary make this look like a holiday cocktail straight from a bar menu.

Best Tequila for a White Christmas Margarita

For this recipe, stick with blanco (silver) tequila. It keeps the flavor clean and lets the coconut and cranberry shine. My favorites for margaritas are smooth, affordable blancos for parties. Skip anything heavily aged or smoky - it competes with the coconut. Tip: If you're making a big batch for a Christmas party, choose something smooth but reasonably priced. No need to break out top-shelf tequila here.

Holiday Appetizers to Serve With This Cocktail

• Holiday Cheese Ball (with pecans, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries)
• Jalapeno Popper Dip (wtih bacon)
• Mexican Street Corn Dip
• Traditional Pico De Gallo
• Blueberry Feta Bread with Hot Honey
• Mexican Street Corn Sheet Pan Nachos
• Baked Brie with Pecans, Cranberries, and Pomegranate

More Margarita Recipes

• Blood Orange Margarita
• Passion Fruit Margarita

The Ingredients for Party Batch Version

• ice (for shaking or serving)
• 12 ounces tequila (silver/blanco)
• 4 ounces coconut rum
• 8 ounces orange liqueur (Cointreau or similar)
• 16 ounces white cranberry juice
• 8 ounces coconut cream, very well mixed
• 4 ounces fresh lime juice
• lime wedges, for rims
• sanding sugar + granulated sugar, for rims
• fresh cranberries & rosemary sprigs, for garnish

How to Make Large Batch White Christmas Margarita (Best Method for Parties)

• Serves: 8 cocktails; Prep Time: 5 minutes; Total Time: 5 minutes
• Prep your glasses first: Run a lime wedge around each glass rim and dip into sanding sugar mixed with granulated sugar. Set aside.
• Mix the batch: In a large pitcher or drink dispenser, add tequila, coconut rum, orange liqueur, white cranberry juice, coconut cream, and fresh lime juice.
• Stir really well: I like to use a whisk or long spoon to fully incorporate the coconut cream so it stays smooth.
• Chill before serving: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This keeps flavors crisp without watering it down.
• Serve: Fill prepared glasses with fresh ice, pour the margarita, garnish with cranberries and rosemary, and serve immediately.