LIFESTYLE
Edition 3 of a Christmas with a Difference Series, this time we're sharing a seasonal drink that isn’t trying too hard.
Some festive cocktails announce themselves with the subtlety of a Christmas jumper, hello eggnog, mulled wine and anything with cranberry or gingerbread. This one doesn’t. A margarita is a great cocktail at any time but for the season the winter margarita is the cool aunt in a room full of overly sweet drinks, clean, sharp, refreshing, and sophisticated.
It’s the perfect December drink for people who love a little bougie but refuse to spend all night shaking, muddling, flaming, and garnishing like a part-time mixologist. It takes minutes, tastes beautiful, and feels like a small treat at the end of a long week.
And the smoked salt rim? Game changer. It gives the drink a depth with a winter without trying to be winter” vibe.
The Flavour Profile
Bright citrus, a clean tequila base and a touch of orange. With a rim that feels subtly smoky and grownup.
It’s festive, (because we say it is) and only if festive to you means effortless, refined, and not aggressively red and green.
You’ll Need
- 50ml good tequila blanco
- 25ml Cointreau or triple sec
- 25ml fresh lime juice
- 10ml fresh orange juice (just enough to soften the edge)
- 1 tsp maple syrup or agave (optional)
- Smoked sea salt
- Lime wedge or peel
- Ice
How to Make It
01 Prep the Rim
Run a lime wedge around half the rim only, half feels chic, less expected than a full salt crust and it makes you less dehydrated and gasping for water in the middle of the night. Dip lightly into the smoked sea salt. Aim for a delicate half halo or a chunky edge, the choice is yours .
02 Shake
Add tequila, Cointreau, lime, orange, and a touch of maple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake until the outside frosts, it should feel too cold to hold.
03 Pour
Strain into a chilled glass (coupe if you want to be dramatic, tumbler if you want to be classic). A single cube of clear ice looks elegant; crushed ice makes it feel more relaxed (and MIGHT help get less of a hangover the next day *this is not medical advice).
04 Finish
Garnish with a thin slice of dehydrated orange, a simple strip of peel or nothing at all.
Why This Works for December
It cuts through the heaviness of the season, the food, the plans, the todo lists.
It’s refreshing when everything else is rich and reminds us of the carefree summer nights (no matter where you are summer is wonderful). And if you’re hosting, this is your crowd-pleaser. It’s easy, looks impressive, and tastes like something you’d order at a hotel bar.
Little Upgrade Ideas
Because you can never upgrade too much.
- Smoked salt + lime zest mixed together for a brighter rim
- Add a drop of vanilla for a warmer profile
- Swap tequila for mezcal if you want the smoky note inside the drink, not just on the rim
- Batch it in a large bottle for effortless hosting