Cranberry Orange Margaritas

[nverland]

Cranberry Orange Margaritas
Prep time: 10 MINUTES cook time: 5 MINUTES (FOR THE CRANBERRIES)
Total time: 15 MINUTES + DRYING TIME FOR THE CRANBERRIES yields: MAKES 4-6 DRINKS

Ingredients

Sugared Cranberries
2 cups sugar, divided
2 cups fresh cranberries

Big Batch Margaritas
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) silver tequila
2 cups (16 ounces) cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail)
1/2 cup (4 ounces) orange juice
1/2 cup (4 ounces) orange liquor
3/4 cups fresh lime juice
2-4 tablespoons sugar or to taste (OPTIONAL)* or use sugared cranberries
Salt, for the rim
Sparkling water, to top the drinks with (OPTIONAL)
Lime + orange slices, for serving

To make just ONE drink
1 1/2 - 2 ounces silver tequila
2 1/2 ounces cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail)
1/2 ounce orange juice
1/2 ounce orange liquor
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1/2-1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste (OPTIONAL)* or use sugared cranberries
Sparkling water, to top the drink with (OPTIONAL)

Instructions

Sugared Cranberries
Bring 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar to a boil until the sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly. Stir in the cranberries and let the cranberries sit in the sugar water for 1-2 hour or overnight. Strain the cranberries thoroughly, then add them to a parchment lined cookie sheet with sides. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and gently toss until all the cranberries are coated in sugar. Allow the cranberries to dry, in a single layer for at least one hour.
Big Batch Margarita
Combine all the ingredients in a pitcher and stir to combine. Keep chilled in the fridge until ready to serve. When ready to serve, salt the rims of 4-6 glasses. Add ice to each glass and pour the margaritas over the ice. Top off with sparkling water if desired. Add the sugared cranberries and a lime wedge.
To make just ONE drink
Salt the rim of your glass. Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Shake until combined and then strain into your prepared glass. Top with sparkling water if desired. Add the sugared cranberries and a lime and or orange wedge.