Picture your favorite classic margarita, all dressed up for the holidays. That’s the White Christmas Margarita for you. It’s a creamy, dreamy, and frosty cocktail that swaps the usual tart lime for the cozy, comforting flavors of coconut and white chocolate. With a snowy white color and a sugared rim that sparkles like fresh snow, it’s the kind of drink that just feels like celebration in a glass. It’s perfect for sipping by the fire, serving at your holiday party, or just enjoying as a little treat after a long day of festive preparations.
Why You’ll Love This
Honestly, this might just become your new favorite holiday tradition. First off, it’s incredibly easy to make. You don’t need any fancy bar tools or hard-to-find ingredients. It comes together in about five minutes, which is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season. The flavor is pure magic—it’s sweet and creamy without being too heavy, with a lovely little kick from the tequila that warms you right up. And the presentation? Absolutely stunning. It’s a showstopper that will have all your guests asking for the recipe. So good.
Ingredients
- 2 oz white tequila: Provides the classic margarita base with a smooth, clean flavor.
- 2 oz cream of coconut (like Coco López): Adds a rich, creamy sweetness and tropical note.
- 1 ½ oz white chocolate liqueur: Gives the drink its signature “white Christmas” flavor and velvety texture.
- 1 oz fresh lime juice: Balances the sweetness with a necessary touch of bright acidity.
- 1 cup ice: For that perfectly chilled, slushy consistency.
- Coarse white sparkling sugar: For rimming the glass, adding a festive crunch and sweet sparkle.
- Lime wedge and fresh cranberries: For garnishing and a pop of holiday color.
Step-By-Step Method
- Start by preparing your glasses. Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of each margarita or coupe glass. Dip the moistened rim into a shallow plate of coarse white sparkling sugar to coat it beautifully. Set the glasses aside.
- In a blender, combine the white tequila, cream of coconut, white chocolate liqueur, fresh lime juice, and ice.
- Blend on high for 30-45 seconds, or until the mixture is completely smooth and has a slushy-like consistency.
- Immediately pour the blended margarita into your prepared glasses.
- Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim and a few fresh cranberries dropped into the drink for a festive touch. Serve immediately and enjoy!
How To Make White Christmas Margarita
The magic of this cocktail is in its simplicity. You’re essentially just adding everything to a blender and letting it do all the work. The key is to use a good-quality cream of coconut—it’s usually found in the cocktail mixer aisle—and to make sure your ice is fresh so it blends up nice and smooth. The blending time is short; you just want to make sure there are no chunks of ice left. The result is a frothy, dreamy, and utterly delicious holiday cocktail that looks like it took far more effort than it actually did. It’s the perfect easy recipe for your Christmas festive drinks lineup.
Creative Variations
- Mocktail Magic: For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the tequila and white chocolate liqueur. Increase the cream of coconut to 3 oz and add 2 oz of white cranberry juice or a splash of coconut milk for volume and flavor. You’ll still get that wonderful creamy, festive taste.
- Peppermint Twist: Add a drop or two of peppermint extract to the blender for a cool, minty flavor that screams Christmas.
- Berry Festive: After blending, gently swirl in a tablespoon of raspberry or cranberry puree for a beautiful red and white swirl effect.
- Spiced Rim: Mix your sparkling sugar with a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg before rimming the glass for an extra cozy touch.
Serving Ideas & Pairings
This White Christmas Margarita is a star on its own, but it’s even better with some delicious food friends. I love serving these at our holiday potlucks alongside a spread of heavy appetizers. They pair wonderfully with savory bites like mini smoked turkey tacos, spicy roasted nuts, or a creamy spinach and artichoke dip. For a sweet pairing, a plate of Mexican wedding cookies or simple shortbread is just divine. The creamy, cool cocktail cuts through rich foods perfectly. And don’t forget to set out a tray of these drinks as guests arrive—it instantly kicks the party vibe up a notch and makes everyone feel festive.
Storage Tips
This is definitely a drink best enjoyed immediately. But if you have any leftover mixture in the blender pitcher, you can cover it tightly and store it in the freezer for up to 2 hours. Any longer and it will freeze solid. Give it a quick re-blend before serving if it has hardened a bit. I don’t recommend making a big batch too far in advance, as the ingredients will separate and the texture won’t be as perfect. For prepping ahead, you can mix the liquid ingredients (tequila, liqueur, cream of coconut, lime juice) together and keep them chilled in a pitcher in the fridge for a day. When you’re ready to serve, just add the ice and blend.
Doneness Test
Since we’re not cooking, “doneness” is all about texture and temperature. Your White Christmas Margarita is ready when it has a uniform, slushy consistency. There should be no visible chunks of ice floating around—it should be smooth and pourable, similar to a milkshake. It should be frosty cold to the touch on the outside of the glass. If you’ve pre-mixed your liquids, they are ready when they are well-combined and chilled throughout.
FAQs
- Q: Can I make this a frozen Christmas Ball Cocktail for a crowd?
A: Absolutely! This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. Just make sure your blender is large enough to handle the volume, or blend in batches to ensure that smooth, slushy texture we love. - Q: I can’t find white chocolate liqueur. What can I use instead?
A: No problem! You can substitute with Irish cream liqueur for a different but equally delicious creamy flavor. For a non-alcoholic swap, a tablespoon of white chocolate syrup mixed into the base will work in a pinch. - Q: What are some other easy Christmas specialty drinks I can make?
A: Oh, there are so many! A slow cooker spiced apple cider is always a hit for a crowd. For another quick cocktail, a pomegranate gin fizz feels very festive. And you can never go wrong with a classic hot chocolate bar with lots of toppings.