The Best Pumpkin Spice Margarita Recipe for Fall
It's Day 2 of Pumpkin Week, and this Pumpkin Spice Margarita is the first of two pumpkin margarita recipes I'm giving you guys this week!
Made with pumpkin purée and homemade pumpkin spice syrup, I have no doubt that this will quickly become one of your new favorite fall cocktails! It's the perfect way to bring pumpkin season and the holiday season together.
This Pumpkin Spice Margarita is the perfect drink for this time of year because you can serve it at everything from Halloween parties to Thanksgiving dinner to happy hour. I'm all about that kind of versatility!
I can't be the only one who feels like pumpkin spice season has become pretty controversial. Maybe it's because it seems to start earlier every year. And let's be honest... it does seem to be creeping further into summer every year. But I feel like there's simply no in between when it comes to pumpkin spice flavor - you either love it or you hate it, and no matter which camp you fall into - you're vocal about those strong feelings! For a good time, check out the comments sections on the days that popular coffee chains announce their pumpkin drinks. Things get heated!
For me, I've never been a huge fan of pumpkin spice lattes. But I love pumpkin desserts (especially pumpkin bread, with lots of chocolate chips!) and call me basic, but I do enjoy a good pumpkin spice cocktail. I especially love the ones that I make because so many pumpkin spice drinks can be loaded with sugar and weird ingredients. This Pumpkin Spice Margarita recipe and my pumpkin syrup aren't made with any weird ingredients that you can't pronounce. That's something that always has and always will be important to me.
Looking for another fun fall cocktail? Try my Pumpkin Juice that's practically straight out of Hogwarts! You'll also love my Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, my Chai Espresso Martini and another perfect fall margarita, my Apple Cider Margarita.
INGREDIENTS:
Tequila: I used blanco tequila here, but grab your favorite tequila! If you prefer reposado tequila or anejo tequila, either of those will work perfectly here as well.
Orange liqueur: I personally can't make a margarita without orange liqueur. There are of course a lot of options when it comes to orange liqueur, so I'll always recommend that you purchase the one that works best for your bar cart's budget, whether that's triple sec or grand marnier.
Lime juice: here's a hill that I will die on - fresh lime juice is always best for cocktails, especially when it comes to margaritas! The lime juice gives a bit of acid that balances the sweetness of the pumpkin perfectly.
Pumpkin puree: it's important to note that you should use pure pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling. The addition of the pure pumpkin puree really takes the flavor profile over the top!
Pumpkin syrup: this is what I like to think is the star of the show. Made with lots of pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar and vanilla extract - it's bursting with pumpkin flavor. You'll want to use this in much more than just this delicious drink!
Cinnamon sugar: because would it really be a fall cocktail without a cinnamon sugar rim?
Substitutions & Additions:
Don't have time to make homemade pumpkin syrup? You would be breaking my heart a little, but I get it. You can use store bought, or easily swap it out for maple syrup, agave syrup or even simple syrup if that's what you have on hand.
METHOD:
Start by brushing the side or rim of the glass with pumpkin syrup, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Place your glass in the freezer to set.
Add tequila of your choice (I used blanco tequila), orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, pure pumpkin puree and pumpkin syrup to a cocktail shaker or shaker tin.
Add ice, then give it a good shake until chilled.
Strain into your prepared glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, and enjoy!
Pumpkin Syrup:
1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup water
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Add pure pumpkin puree, brown sugar, water, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract to a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil.
Reduce to medium heat and cook for ~5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Let syrup cool completely to room temperature. Strain into an airtight container and store in the fridge. The pumpkin syrup should last up to four weeks if stored in the fridge.
Pumpkin Spice Margarita
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz orange liqueur
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1 Tbsp pumpkin puree
- 1/2 oz pumpkin spice syrup
- Cinnamon sugar for the rim
Instructions
- Brush the side of your glass with pumpkin syrup, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Place glass in the freezer to set.
- Add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice, then shake until chilled.
- Strain into prepared glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, and enjoy.
Looking for more drinks like this? Try some of these:
Cheers,
Danica
