Use fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juice here - it makes a huge difference and will taste much better! Trim off a few wedges or twists from one of the lemons or limes before juicing them - save these pieces for a garnish!

What kind of liquor should I use?  We typically test our recipes with Tito's vodka or Absolut, but use whatever you like! Cointreau is our go-to triple sec, but you can use any triple sec or orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier) that you like. 

Additions and Substitutions. Use simple syrup instead of triple sec. Swap the vodka for your favorite gin. For a non-alcoholic mocktail, use simple syrup in place of triple sec and omit the vodka; top with a splash of tonic water or club soda for extra body. 

This is a very forgiving recipe. Add a little more of an ingredient to help these drinks suit your palate! For extra sweetness, add more cranberry-raspberry juice and/or triple sec. For a more tart drink, add extra lemon or lime juice. Remember that lemons and limes can vary in strength: Taste the cocktail after shaking it together, and add an extra splash of something as needed to suit your tastes.

How to sugar the rim of a martini glass: Dust a small plate with a thin layer of granulated sugar. Run a slice of lemon or lime around the edge of a cocktail glass (or lightly moisten the edge of the glass with a bit of water), then gently dip the glass into the sugar. If you don’t have a lime or lemon wedge, dip your finger in water and run it around the top of your glass.