This pumpkin spice margarita recipe is a delicious treat.
You can make it for yourself after a long day, but it is also so beautiful and delicious that it is perfect for gathering friends and family.
This margarita recipe has a bit of spice to it and a bit of sweetness but not too much of either.
This combo of flavors is why we all love the pumpkin spice season, but I ask you today, why can’t we have this year around?
I guess that if we have it all year, it isn’t special anymore.
Saving the flavors for only one time of year is something we need to think about a bit more.
Regardless, seasonal flavors are always so much fun.
As you will see below, something that I have learned since starting this blog is that having the proper tools really does make life in the kitchen better.

Since the Pumpkin spice margarita does require some unusual ingredients, it does require a bit of advanced planning.
Consider what glasses you are going to use in advance. When it comes to margaritas at home, I prefer lowball glasses.
Make your pumpkin spice syrup in advance so that it has time for the flavors to meld.
Put together a shopping list:
- Tequila
- Orange liqueur like Grand Marnier
- A bag of limes
- Star anise
- Cinnamon sticks
- Turbinado sugar
You can find our full recipe for the pumpkin pie spice here, but the ingredients are as follows:
- Sugar
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin puree
- Pumpkin spice
When we made these margaritas, I had to go to the store twice because I didn’t make a good shopping list.
If you are curious, I forgot the cinnamon sticks.
Funny thing it turned out that I had some, but they were hidden out of view.
I am short!




About the rim
The rim is made out of turbinado sugar and lime juice or lemon juice.
If you don’t have any turbinado sugar, consider substituting brown sugar or a mixture of brown sugar and white granulated sugar as a substitute.
To do this, just combine the sugars in a 50 / 50 ratio and stir.
I find it much easier to rim the glass with a cut slice of lime or lemon.
If you don’t have any lime juice, consider run an apple slice around the rim.
Also, if you prefer salt on the rim, go for it.
Feel comfortable with being creative with this cocktail.




About the garnish
Garnish really makes a drink.
For the longest time, I thought that garnish was just something that fancy restaurants did, but now I have a different point of view.
When I serve a cocktail with a nice garnish to friends or family, they light up.
I guess the extra touches in life really do matter.
Now, I think of it like a bow on a present.
They really do look better under the tree.
Looking for more pumpkin recipes and recipe lists? Here are a few to get you started:
- Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix Cookie
- Pumpkin Fluff Dip
- Pumpkin Spice Irish Coffee
- Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
- How Long Do Pumpkins Last?
- Does Canned Pumpkin Go Bad?
- Pumpkin Desserts
- Canned Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Puree Dessert Recipes




Which orange liqueur to use for pumpkin spice margaritas
This is a tricky question because there is no wrong answer.
But we do have an exhaustive FAQ that compares a few orange liqueurs.
The best orange liqueur to use is the one that you have, but if you are going shopping, I am going to recommend that you get Cointreau.
It is my personal favorite choice for margaritas.
However, we have been using Royal Orange lately, and it is quite tasty.
Then if you wanna get what I consider fancy, you can use Grand Marnier.
Now, if you go the Grand Marnier route, keep in mind that just like with Tequila, there are variations, and they increase with price.
Personally, the cheapest version has suited ALL of our cocktails perfectly fine.




Let’s talk about the tools…
- Cutting Board
- Small Knife
- Small Plate
- Measuring Spoons
- Lowball Glass
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Measuring Glass
- Jigger
- Cocktail Strainer
I recently got an official Jigger, and wow, has it made a difference.
In the past, I would just try and eyeball it with a shot glass, but most of my shot glasses are collectible items people have given me over the years.
This means that they are not standard in size.
Because they are not standard, I was always just eyeballing the amounts.
That was a mistake because it impacted the flavor of the cocktail.
Another thing that I recently purchased is an official cocktail strainer.
WOW, did that make a difference too.
Now, I don’t make nearly the mess that I had before.




The bottom line
This is a delicious pumpkin spice margarita that takes a bit of prep, but it is well worth the time and effort.
Also, if you make your pumpkin spice syrup in advance, you will have it for several cocktails during the fall season.




Pumpkin Spice Margarita Recipe
This is a delicious pumpkin spice cocktail that takes a bit of prep, but it is well worth the time and effort.
Ingredients
Pumpkin Spice Margarita:
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1 oz Orange Liqueur
- 1 oz Pumpkin Spice Syrup (link Pumpkin Spice Syrup)
- ¾ oz Lime Juice
- Ice
Rim:
- Lime/Lemon Wedge
- 2 T Turbinado Sugar
Garnish:
- Cinnamon Stick
- Star Anise
Instructions
- Spread the sugar around on a small plate.
- Cut the lime/lemon into small wedges.
- Use the lime/lemon wedge to coat the rim of your lowball glass.
- Submerge the rim into the sugar until coated. Set aside.
- Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice halfway and shake vigorously until chilled.
- Fill the lowball glass with ice halfway.
- Strain the ingredients into the rimmed glass.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise.
- Enjoy responsibly!
Notes
Tools:
- Cutting Board
- Small Knife
- Small Plate
- Measuring Spoons
- Lowball Glass
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Measuring Glass
- Jigger
- Cocktail Strainer
If you don’t have lemons or limes in the house, but you do have apples, run an apple wedge around the rim.
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