Thanksgiving Margaritas make the holiday’s even more festive! Spiced apple cider, tart pomegranate juice, sweet orange liqueur, and of course tequila are combined to create a fall twist on a classic cocktail.
Thanksgiving Margaritas
While traditional margaritas may scream “drink of summer”, I’m here to tell you that you can in fact drink a margarita any time of year. Summer, spring, winter, fall, tequila goes with every type of weather. Of course for a true fall experience we need to tweak the flavor profile just a touch. We’ll keep the tequila and orange liqueur of a traditional margarita but we’re going to swap the tangy lime juice for tart pomegranate juice. The pomegranate juice will give a little more of a fall/winter taste. However, the real star of the show is the apple cider. Nothing screams holiday happy hour like a cocktail base of apple cider.
Make your holidays boozy and bright with a festive Chai Spiced Fall Sangria or bubbly Pomegranate Rosé Spritzer!
How do I create a sugar rim on a glass?
Creating a cinnamon (regular sugar or salt) rim on a glass is easier than you think! The trick is knowing how to get it to stick properly and not slide right off the glass. To make the cinnamon sugar aspect you combine ¼ cup of sugar with a teaspoon or 2 of cinnamon. Mix together in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Then rub a lime (or orange) around the rim of the cup. Roll the rim of the glass slowly around in the bowl of sugar until coated. It’s important the cup does not touch the plate/bowl as that will push the sugar up the sides of the glass as opposed to on the rim. Let the cup sit for a few minutes to allow the sugar to stick before filling the glass with the margaritas.
How To Make Thanksgiving Margaritas
- Combine. Add the apple cider, pomegranate juice, tequila, and orange liqueur to your cocktail shaker.
- Shake. Toss in some ice and shake for 20 seconds until everything is properly mixed.
- Pour. Pour the drinks into cinnamon sugar rimmed margarita glasses.
- Garnish. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick, cranberries, or an orange wedge and drink up. Cheers!
Storing Thanksgiving Margaritas
I recommend drinking these cocktails as soon as you make them. You can increase the recipe to make a large batch of these margaritas in a pitcher if serving for a party. Don’t add ice into the pitcher, just serve individual drinks over ice. Whether making a single serving or a pitcher, I don’t recommend storing this drink for any longer than a few hours or day of your gathering. The recipe is so quick to shake up, you might as well make them fresh!
Ingredients Notes for Thanksgiving Margaritas
- Apple Cider – You can find unsweetened and sweetened apple cider plus a myriad of spiced versions. Choose your favorite just be sure to chill it before bartending. If you opt for an unsweetened version, honey or maple syrup are great natural sweeteners. You can also add in some simple syrup for a sweeter drink.
- Pomegranate Juice – Look for 100% pomegranate juice as opposed to a concentrate. A little sweet, a little tart, this is the perfect fall substitute for lime juice.
- Tequila – You don’t have to choose a super expensive tequila. Choose the best for your price range or whatever kind you like best. Silver, gold, aged, any will work for a recipe like this!
- Orange Liqueur – You can substitute with triple sec if you already have that on your bar cart.
- Optional Garnishes – Fresh apple slices, cranberries, an orange slice, a lime wedge, and/or a cinnamon stick are all beautiful touches to finish off your cocktail!
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Thanksgiving Margaritas
Ingredients
- 6 Ounces Apple Cider chilled
- 3 Ounces Pomegranate Juice
- 2 Ounces Tequila
- 2 Ounces Orange Liqueur
Instructions
- dd some ice to a cocktail shaker, pour in all the ingredients, and shake for 20 seconds.
- Serve with your choice of apple slices, lime wedges, cinnamon sticks, and a cinnamon sugar rim if desired.
Video
Notes
- To make a cinnamon sugar rim, whisk 1/4 cup of sugar with a teaspoon of cinnamon or more in a small shallow bowl or plate.
- Rub a lime on the rim of a cup, turn the cup upside down then gently roll around in the sugar until coated.
- Do not set the cup down on the plate or touch the bottom of the plate; it will push the sugar up the sides of the cup and not get on the top edge.
- Let the cup sit for 5 minutes before filling and serving.
