Winter Margarita
on Jan 31, 2014, Updated Jan 28, 2024
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This winter margarita is a gem of a cocktail recipe that’s close to my heart. This is one of my favorite drink recipes and a concoction that I stumbled upon during a blissful winter vacation in Costa Rica.
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When I returned to the cold and blustery hinterland of Wisconsin, I dubbed it the Winter Blues Margarita. And believe me, it’s a good recipe to take care of the winter blues!
Read on and learn how to bring some flavorful magic and color to winter’s colder months.
About this Blue Winter Margarita
This winter margarita is the perfect blend for the winter months. Like this cotton candy margarita, it offers a tasty and colorful twist on the classic margarita. It’s been a favorite at my family’s holiday gatherings and throughout the whole year for a long time.
Blue has always been my favorite color. It has a comforting and soothing depth that has always allured me. Winter, on the other hand, has never been my favorite season. Although I do have a few friends who claim the cold and white season to be among their favorites, it’s just not in my DNA to feel that way!
Of all places, I discovered this winter margarita in the tropics of Manuel Antonio Costa Rica. It’s the perfect place to go for the winter blues, and this amazing cocktail that is easy to make at home.
Oddly enough, I also came up with this award-winning recipe for crispy chicken stromboli while in Costa Rica, the land of pura vida (pure life). Maybe I need to go there more often!
I absolutely love this blue winter margarita for its unique blend of vibrant blue curacao and citrus flavors, creating the perfect balance of warmth and refreshment during the chilly winter months.
What’s in It
- Lime Slices & Fresh Lime Juice: The freshness of lime is key here, offering that classic tang. Adding lime wedges to each glass brings a festive touch.
- Coarse Sugar & Simple Syrup: Sugar for the rim of each glass gives that snowy look, while simple syrup can be added for those who prefer a sweeter taste.
- Citrus Fruits: Blood oranges and grapefruit juice can be great additions, enhancing the winter cocktail with their vibrant colors and flavors.
- Tequila: I use silver tequila for its clean taste, but gold tequila or even a smoky oak barrels-aged variety can add a unique twist.
- Blue Curacao & Triple Sec: These add depth and complexity to our perfect margarita, and they’re a staple in my family’s alcohols cabinet.
- Frozen Limeade Concentrate: This is the key ingredient for that much juice punch without the hassle.
- Ice Cubes: For that perfectly chilled texture, ice is a must in this holiday cocktail.
How to Make It
Creating this winter margarita is more about feel and personal preference. Start by rimming your glasses with chili salt or sugar. There’s no cocktail shaker needed to make this winter wonderland margarita!
Just use a blender to blend the tequila, triple sec, blue curacao, and limeade with ice. For a twist, add a splash of orange juice or cranberry juice for a cranberry margarita or blood orange margarita variant. It’s a simple recipe with simple ingredients that offers a whole lot of cheer!
Variations and Substitutions
- Spiced Cranberry Syrup: Add this instead of simple syrup for a cranberry cocktail twist.
- Coconut Margarita: Incorporate coconut cream and vanilla extract for a White Christmas Margarita.
- Grapefruit Margarita: Use grapefruit juice and a slice of blood orange for a refreshing twist.
- Chili Powder: Add to the salt rim for an extra kick.
How Do You Serve It?
Serve this delightful concoction on the rocks in a margarita glass with a sugar or salt rim, garnished with lime wheels or a cinnamon stick. It’s the perfect drink for holiday cocktail hours or a quick, relaxing drink.
This winter margarita tastes great with brat bites, Buffalo chicken dip, Wisconsin beer dip, and so many other appetizers and party food.
And don’t forget to take photos of your recipes to share! (I’m one of those people who takes tons of pictures of my food and beautiful drinks like this winter margarita.)
Common Questions
Absolutely! Mix all the ingredients except the ice and keep it chilled. Just blend with ice before serving.
Pear nectar, grapefruit juice, and cranberry juice are my go-to mixers for different versions of winter margaritas.
Replace the alcohol with a mix of pear syrup and a splash of soda. It’s a great way to enjoy a festive drink without the alcohol.
Whether it’s for Christmas drinks, a holiday week treat, or just to enjoy the time of year, this winter margarita recipe will bring joy and warmth to your gatherings during the cold season and throughout the year Cheers to good cocktails and great memories!
Winter Margarita Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 lime slices
- 3 tablespoons coarse sugar
- 1/2 cup chilled lemon-lime soda
- 1/2 cup tequila
- 1/2 cup blue curacao
- 1/2 cup grand marnier
- 1/3 cup partially thawed frozen limeade concentrate
- 2 cups ice cubes
Instructions
- Using lime slices, moisten the rims of four margarita or cocktail glasses.
- Set aside lime slices for garnish.
- Sprinkle sugar on a plate; hold each glass upside down and dip rim into sugar. Set aside.
- Discard remaining sugar on plate.
- In a blender, combine the remaining ingredients; cover and process until blended. Pour into prepared glasses.
- Garnish with reserved lime slices. Serve immediately
Notes
- Ensure to thoroughly blend the ice with the other ingredients to achieve a smooth, slushy consistency that’s key to a great margarita.
- Rim the glasses with coarse sugar or chili salt before pouring the drink to add an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Experiment with the amount of grand marnier or add a splash of orange juice to adjust the sweetness to your personal preference.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I updated this from the original post of January 30, 2014.
This looks like the perfect drink to chase away the winter blues Dan!
Your margarita reminds me of my signature drink Opal Blue Cosmo. Blue is also my favorite color and a margarita or a cosmopolitan, my favorite drink. Thanks for sharing – looking forward to tasting this.
With that bright lime color along with the blue, looks like you have a few Super Bowl colors covered.