Thanksgiving Margarita
This easy recipe for Thanksgiving Margarita is the perfect drink to have for your Thanksgiving holiday or Fall party. Apple cider is mixed with pumpkin puree and spices, along with lime, tequila, and orange liquor for a pumpkin margarita everyone will love!
As the leaves turn shades of gold and the air becomes crisp, our cravings steer us towards warm, inviting flavors. Enter the fall-flavored margarita – a delightful twist on a classic tropical drink favorite. This pumpkin margarita combines the traditional zesty tang of a margarita with the comforting notes of pumpkin and apple cider.
Tequila drinks for Thanksgiving don’t have to be traditional; in fact, they can be downright adventurous. This pumpkin spice margarita recipe introduces a splash of seasonal cheer to the iconic cocktail. The addition of pumpkin puree and spice not only offers a rich texture but also an inviting aroma that promises a flavorful escape with each sip.
Pumpkin spice margaritas bridge the gap between the beloved summer sipper and the flavors we cherish in the colder months. Cheers to new traditions and memorable moments!
💫Recipe Highlights
- The fall flavor of this margarita can be served in the morning for brunch, with appetizers or with dinner and dessert!
- The pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice truly makes this drink taste like thanksgiving and is unique and special to this apple and pumpkin margarita.
- It’s easy to whip up using simple ingredients along with your favorite apple cider and tequila.
🍎What You’ll Need
- Apple Cider – This is the sweet base of the drink that gives it a crisp fall flavor.
- Pumpkin Puree – Adding canned pumpkin puree is what truly makes this mimosa unique and tastes just like Thanksgiving.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – This blend of spices is perfect for adding addtional warming flavors to the drink.
- Tequila – You’ll need a sparkling champagne, prosecco, or white sparkling wine to make it fizzy and give it a perfect kick.
- Orange Liquor – Gives this margarita a zesty orange flavor.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Adds acidity and freshness.
- Turbinado Sugar & Salt – This is optional, but makes an excellent presentation when used to rim the glass.
- Fresh Apple Slices, Orange Slices & Lime Wedges – Adds garnish and more fresh apple cinnamon flavor.
📖How To Make Thanksgiving Margaritas
1️⃣To a large measuring cup, add apple cider, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk until well combined and let sit for 5 minutes to make sure the spices are absorbed.
2️⃣Add lime juice, tequila, and grand mariner and whisk until fully combined.
3️⃣Rim 2 margarita glasses with turbinado sugar, salt, or a mix of both. Add ice to the glasses.
4️⃣Evenly distribute the margarita mix into the two glasses by pouring over the ice. Garnish with fresh lime, oranges and apple slices.
🫙How To Make A Thanksgiving Margarita Pitcher
To make a pitcher of seasonal Thanksgiving Margaritas, use the table below to make 4 cups, half gallon, or a full gallon of pumpkin margarita!
Add apple cider, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree to the pitcher and whisk to combine. Then add tequila, lime juice, and orange liquor and stir.
Do not add ice to the pitcher as that will water down the margaritas. Serve over ice in the individual cups.
| Ingredient | Original Recipe | 4 Cups | 8 Cups | 1 Gallon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Cider | 1 cup | 4 cups | 8 cups | 16 cups |
| Pumpkin Puree | 2 tbsp | 8 tbsp (1/2 cup) | 16 tbsp (1 cup) | 32 tbsp (2 cups) |
| Pumpkin Pie Spice | 1/2 tsp | ½ tsp | 1 tsp | 2 tsp |
| Lime Juice | 4 tbsp | 16 tbsp (1 cup) | 32 tbsp (2 cups) | 64 tbsp (4 cups) |
| Tequila | 3 oz | 12 oz | 24 oz (1.5 pints) | 48 oz (3 pints) |
| Orange Liquor (Grand Marnier) | 2 oz | 8 oz | 16 oz (1 pint) | 32 oz (2 pints) |
| Turbinado Sugar (for garnish) | ¼ cup | 1 cup | 2 cups | 4 cups |
| Apple Slices, Orange Slices, & Lime Wedges (for garnish) | As desired, increase proportionally |
Note: A gallon contains 16 cups. Make sure you mix thoroughly and adjust to taste as needed, especially when scaling recipes; sometimes personal preference or the specific brands/types of ingredients can require a slight adjustment. Always taste-test to ensure the perfect balance.
🍐Variations
- Non-Alcoholic Pumpkin Margarita Mocktail: To make a fall mocktail margarita, simply replace the orange liquor with orange juice and replace the tequila with ginger ale or ginger beer for one of the best alcohol free thanksgiving drinks.
- Spicy: Put a dash of cayenne in the mix or add some freshly sliced jalapenos inside the drink.
- With pear juice: Instead of using apple cider, try using pear juice. You can find pear juice or pear nectar in the international section of your grocery store.
- With cranberry juice: To create a cranberry twist on this margarita, replace the 1 cup of apple cider with 1 cup of cranberry juice while keeping the rest of the ingredients and instructions the same.
- Frozen margarita: To transform this margarita into a frozen version, blend together the apple cider, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, lime juice, tequila, and orange liquor with a generous amount of ice until smooth. After blending, rim the margarita glasses with turbinado sugar, salt, or a mix of both, then pour the frozen mixture into the glasses, and finish by garnishing with fresh lime, oranges, and apple slices for a frosty twist.
- Apple Cider Pear Margarita: To make an apple cider margarita with pear juice, begin by muddling a fresh pear slice at the bottom of a shaker to release its delightful juices. Add 1 oz of tequila, 2 oz of apple cider, 1/2 oz of lime juice, and a splash of orange liqueur. Shake vigorously with ice. Rim your margarita glass with a mix of cinnamon and sugar, then fill the glass with ice. Strain and pour the blended mixture over the ice. Garnish with a pear slice and a cinnamon stick. The fusion of apple and pear offers a refreshing fall twist on the classic margarita.
❔FAQ
What’s the best tequila to use for margaritas?
The top smooth and balanced tequila for apple cider margaritas are; Villa One Silver Tequila, Don Julio Blanco, Avión Reposado, Espolon, or Del Maguey Vida Mezcal. We also think Patron is a great middle ground!
What alcohol is used in Thanksgiving?
Most people drink red or white wine for Thanksgiving, but you can really drink anything you enjoy whether it’s beer, liquor or a Thanksgiving margarita.
What’s the difference between a margarita and a skinny margarita?
A skinny margarita is made without orange liquor and is usually replaced with a small amount of agave and orange juice.
🍸More Thanksgiving Cocktail Recipes
Thanksgiving Margarita
Equipment
- Margarita Glasses
Ingredients
- 1 cup Apple Cider
- 2 tbsp Pumpkin Puree
- ⅛ tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 4 tbsp Lime Juice
- 3 oz Tequila
- 2 oz Orange Liquor
For Garnish
- ¼ cup Turbinado Sugar To rim glasses
- Apple Slices, Orange Slices
- Lime Wedges
Instructions
- To a large measuring cup, add apple cider, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk until well combined and let sit for 5 minutes to make sure the spices are absorbed.
- Add lime juice, tequila, and grand mariner and whisk until fully combined.
- Rim 2 margarita glasses with turbinado sugar, salt, or a mix of both. Add ice to the glasses.
- Evenly distribute the margarita mix into the two glasses by pouring over the ice. Garnish with fresh lime, oranges and apple slices.
