Transitioning Cranberry Margaritas

Margaritas are usually associated with summertime when the weather is warm, but this cranberry margarita recipe proves that doesn’t have to be the case. This cooler-weather margarita infused with a tangy and sweet cranberry simple syrup is the perfect drink to make you  transition from summer into autumn.

Ingredients:1 cup cranberry simple syrup^*1 cup tequila, divided1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau)3/4 cup fresh lime juice (from 4 medium limes)icecoarse-grained saltlime slices, for a colorful presentation and fresh burst of acidity

^*Cranberry Simple Syrup:1 1/2 cups water1/2 cup granulated sugar1/2 cup maple syrup2 cups fresh cranberries1/4 tsp salt

Bring water, sugar, maple syrup, cranberries, and salt to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer over medium-low until cranberries burst, then mash them with a wooden spoon and cook for three minutes. Let cool slightly. In the end, pour the mixture through a fine strainer and discard the solids.

METHOD:

Step1 – Salt the rims

Place a small quantity of the cranberry syrup in a small shallow dish and the salt in a separate shallow dish. Invert four glasses into the syrup to coat the rims. Place each inverted glass into the salt, as well, then set aside.

step 2 – Combine the ingredients

Add half the tequila, half of the orange liqueur, half of the lime juice, and half of the remaining cranberry syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well-chilled, about 15 seconds.

step3 – Strain, garnish, and serve

Fill two of the prepared glasses with ice, and strain margarita over ice into glasses. Repeat procedure with remaining tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, cranberry syrup, ice and prepared glasses. Garnish with lime slices, and serve immediately.

For a non-alcoholic version, which is every bit as delicious as those made with liqueur, swap tequila with cranberry juice and