It's 5 o'clock somewhere. Looking for a unique holiday cocktail? Try my Santa's Vaca!

Makes 4

Margarita Ingredients

4 tbsp spiced cranberry simple syrup (see notes)

3/4 cup silver tequila (I love using Altos Tequila)

1/4 cup Patron Citronage or Grand Marnier (can also use Contreau)

3/4 cup cranberry juice

4 tbsp lime juice

cinnamon sticks

sugared cranberries (see notes)

extra simple syrup and green sugar for rimming glasses

For the Spiced Cranberry Simple Syrup

1 cup water

1 1/4 cup sugar

2 tbsp whole allspice

2 tbsp whole cloves

2 cinnamon sticks

one 2" fresh nob of ginger, peeled and sliced

2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed

Instructions

For the simple syrup

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan and stir over low heat until the sugar is dissolved. Raise heat and simmer the mixture for about 5-6 minutes or until the cranberries start to split. Once most have split, remove the pan from the heat and cover with a lid. Let sit for 2 hours for the flavors to infuse. After 2 hours strain mixture into a jar using a mesh strainer, pressing the mixture against the strainer to extract all the flavor. Keep in a resealable container and chill completely until ready to use. 

For the Margaritas

Dip the rim of the glasses in a shallow bowl of simple syrup and then immediately into a shallow bowl of green sanding sugar. Let dry completely. Once dry fill the glasses with ice. In a cocktail shaker with ice add 4 tbsp of the spiced cranberry syrup, the tequila, cranberry and lime juice. Cover and shake well then strain into the 4 glasses. Taste and add more simple syrup if desired. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and sugared cranberry skewers.