CRANBERRY MARGARITAS

First of all, TGIF!  I don’t know about you all, but my week has been bonkers busy with work, and I have been counting down to the weekend.  Looking forward to some much-needed hang out time with friends, officially starting the move into my new loft (with my new kitchen!!), and a little pie baking (of course, with my favorite homemade pie crust) for a Hallmark shoot.  Cheers to the weekend!

Second, I would like to give a shout out to all of the other deliciousness happening in the food blogosphere this week.  From Heidi’s smoked salmon spread, to Sally’s apple cider donut holes, to Jessica’s autumn nachos, to Gina’s cauliflower tots, to Sandy’s baked salami chips, to Kelly’s no bake chocolate cookie pops, and on and on, the food blogosphere has been representin’ lately!  So much deliciousness to admire.  And then make.  And then eat.

Finally, shall we toast with one of my new favorite drink recipes?  You all know how obsessed I am with margaritas.  So the only reasonable thing to do for the holiday season was to — of course — whip up a cranberry margaritas recipe!  Cheers to that!

I happen to have also been on a bit of a cranberry juice kick lately.  I somehow rediscovered Grape Nuts this year, and my favorite thing to pair with them for breakfast is a nice iced glass of cranberry juice.  (And for what it’s worth, I highly recommend the 100% not-from-concentrate Simply Cranberry Cocktail.  Delish!)

So when happy hour arrived yesterday, I decided to take a shortcut and just whip up a batch of cranberry margaritas using store-bought cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice.  If you want to get fancy and make your own homemade cranberry juice, I’ve included a little tutorial in the recipe.  But I won’t judge you if you take the shortcut.  It’s quick, and easy, and GOOD.

I got a little creative with the garnishing.  You can use fresh cranberries, limes (wedges, slices, curls, you name it!), ice (cubed, crushed, blended), or whatever your cranberry-margarita-loving-heart desires.

But bottom line, this cranberry margarita recipe is quick and easy and tasty, and perfect for toasting during the holidays or just any happy hour.

So cheers to all of you out there!  May your weekend, or whenever this finds you, be “berry” merry and bright…

…and delicious.  :)

EASY CRANBERRY MARGARITAS

YIELD: ABOUT 3 CUPS

Sweet and tart cranberry juice makes for extra festive margaritas!

PREP: 5 MINS TOTAL: 5 MINS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice (I recommend using a brand that is 100% juice)
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3/4 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
• ice cubes

DIRECTIONS:

Stir all ingredients together until blended.  Serve over ice in sugar- or salt-rimmed glasses, garnished with fresh cranberries and lime wedges if desired.