Spiced Cranberry Margarita Recipe

For those who attended the recent Definitely DePere Soup Walk, I had many requests for this cocktail/mocktail recipe - so as promised, here it is!

Cranberry jam

4 1/2 cup fresh or frozen whole cranberries

1 1/4 cup light agave nectar 

3/4 cup fresh apple cider

6 TBS organic dried orange peel

Sugar and spice blend

3 tablespoon kosher salt

3 tablespoon sugar

2 ¼  teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 ½  teaspoon ground ginger

1 tsp ground cardamom

¾ tsp ground nutmeg

¾ tso ground cloves or allspice

Margarita

3 cup (24 ounce) fresh orange juice

1 1/2 cup (12 ounce) fresh lime juice

4 1/2 cup (36 ounce) silver/blanco tequila

optional garnish: 8 star anise 

1. Make the jam: In a medium saucepan, bring cranberries, agave, apple cider, dried orange peel, and ½ cup water to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 20 to 25 minutes. 

2. Make the sugar and spice blend: On a small, flat plate, mix together the salt, sugar, cinnamon, ginger and cloves (or allspice). 

3. Line the glasses: You will need 8 old fashioned/small cocktail glasses. Rub a wedge of lime along the rim of each glass, then dip it into the sugar and spice blend. Repeat for remaining glasses, then fill each with ice (assuming that you will be serving the cocktails immediately). 

4. To make each cocktail individually, combine 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) lime juice, 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) orange juice, 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) tequila and 2 tablespoons cranberry jam in a cocktail shaker. Cover and shake until outside is frosty, about 30 seconds. Strain into prepared glass and serve with a star anise.

Recipe adapted from The Red Cat’s recipe in Bon Appetit.