White Christmas Margarita

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

You only need a few ingredients for a coconut margarita, so not skimping on the quality is the key to how they taste.

The full ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.

• Tequila: Use a mid-range Blanco style tequila (clear) for this recipe, something that sells between $20-$30 for 750 ML. Don’t go for the cheap stuff but also don’t buy one of the more expensive tequilas that is meant to be sipped. We don’t use añejo style tequilas since they can dominate the overall taste and not marry well with the other ingredients.
• Orange Liqueur: Two of the most popular brands are Cointreau, a top-shelf triple sec, and Grand Marnier, a blend of cognac and triple sec. Curaçao is another popular style, which is sweeter than triple sec, so you can cut back on the agave nectar as appropriate. If you buy the cheapest option, you will add more of a sour note, with a harsh alcohol after-taste rather than the orange note that compliment the tequila.
• Coco Lopez: Coconut Cream and Cream of Coconut are not the same. Coconut cream is a thick cream made from coconut milk and generally is unsweetened. Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut is coconut cream that has been sweetened and processed so that it has a syrup-type texture. It is typically used for pina coladas but is also perfect for this white Christmas margarita.

How to Make a White Christmas Margarita

Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
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Pro-tip: It’s better to make these in a batch rather than individually, so adjust the recipe to the number of servings you’d like.

White Christmas Margarita on the Rocks: Pour about 3 tablespoons of sugar onto a plate. Rub the rim of your favorite cocktail glass with a slice of lime then dip it into the sugar. Carefully fill each glass halfway with ice. Add the tequila, orange liqueur, cream of coconut, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds and then using a cocktail strainer pour into the prepared glasses. Garnish with cranberries and lime slices then serve.

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Frozen margaritas can be made by adding the ingredients along with the ice into a blender then blend until slushy.
• Stir the coconut cream before adding to the cocktail to mix the thick cream back together with the thinner milk that settles to the bottom.
• Keep a couple of cocktail glasses in the freezer until you are ready to serve to keep your drinks colder longer.