Mistletoe Margarita with Cranberry Juice and Fresh Lime

I make this Mistletoe Margarita when I want an easy holiday drink that's also refreshing. Cranberry juice, blanco tequila, and fresh lime juice give this drink a tangy flavor. Layering sugar on the rim and adding rosemary as a garnish give this drink a holiday flair. The rosemary adds aroma with each sip of the cocktail.

Use regular cranberry juice that is not sweetened or mixed with other ingredients, as cranberry cocktail is very sweet and will overwhelm other cranberry flavors I'd like in this cocktail. I always use fresh lime juice. I taste the cocktail in the shaker before serving to decide if I need to add more agave nectar or lime juice.

Shake for 15 to 20 seconds or until the shaker is very cold to the touch. Cold temperatures help lighten the drink and blend the agave nectar with the orange juice and tequila. I recommend using a Boston shaker if possible, but other shakers will work.

Add fresh ice to a glass with a rim after straining the margarita. The ice used to shake the margarita began melting before you strained it and would make the margarita too watery if served in the same glass. Fresh cranberries make a mistletoe decoration for margaritas. Place rosemary and a lime slice around the rim of the glass.