Ingredients:

  • 4 fl oz Reposado Tequila
  • 5 fl oz Cointreau (or high-quality Triple Sec)
  • 5 fl oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2 fl oz 100% Cranberry Juice (unsweetened)
  • 5 fl oz Spiced Simple Syrup (Chilled)
  • Ice (for shaking and serving)
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar (for syrup)
  • 1/2 cup Water (for syrup)
  • 2 large Cinnamon Sticks (for syrup)
  • 6 Whole Cloves (for syrup)
  • 3 Star Anise Pods (for syrup)
  • 2 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt (for rimmer)
  • 1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar (for rimmer)
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon (for rimmer)
  • Zest of 1/2 orange (for rimmer)
  • 2 Lime Wheels (for garnish)
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the water, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.
  2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved (about 3–5 minutes). Do not boil vigorously.
  3. Steep, Strain and Chill: Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and allow the spices to steep for 20 minutes. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into an airtight container, discarding the spices. Place the container in the refrigerator to chill completely (at least 30 minutes).
  4. Prepare Rimmer: On a small, shallow plate, combine the coarse sea salt, 1 Tbsp sugar, ground cinnamon, and orange zest. Mix thoroughly.
  5. Rim Glasses: Take a lime wedge and run it around the rim of your serving glasses. Dip the moist rim into the spice mixture, rotating gently until the rim is evenly coated.
  6. Measure: Add the Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice, and the chilled Spiced Simple Syrup into a cocktail shaker.
  7. Shake: Fill the shaker 3/4 full with fresh, hard ice cubes. Seal tightly and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is thoroughly frosted.
  8. Strain and Serve: Strain the cocktail mixture into the prepared glasses (add fresh ice to glasses if desired). Garnish each drink with a lime wheel and a fresh cinnamon stick.