Fall Pumpkin Spice Margarita Recipe
This Pumpkin Spice Margarita recipe is the perfect cocktail to welcome pumpkin spice season! With a hint of pumpkin spice flavor, fresh lime juice, and your favorite tequila, this will quickly become one of your favorite fall cocktails. Plus, who doesn’t love a cinnamon sugar rim? You’ll love this easy pumpkin spice margarita for fall.
Fall is in the air and that means one thing: pumpkin flavor galore! Some of my favorite ways to use pumpkin puree are in my pumpkin carbonara and sausage pumpkin soup! If you’re a real fan of pumpkin spice flavor, check out my pumpkin spice white russians and pumpkin spice cookies (pumpkin desserts are the best)!
Trust me, this pumpkin margarita recipe is so much more fun than a classic margarita! We rim the glass with cinnamon sugar – the perfect Thanksgiving margarita! Also, you could totally make a pitcher of this by mixing together 4-6 servings and giving it a big stir.
Recipe Highlights
- Inspiration: This cozy cocktail is inspired by the flavors of fall. Like PSL meets margarita. It’s got the spice, it’s got the warmth, and it still keeps that zippy lime-forward margarita base we all love.
- Best Served For: Perfect for autumn happy hours, Friendsgiving, or anytime you want to shake things up with a seasonal twist. Thanksgiving and Halloween parties are both perfect occasions for this!
- What Makes It Special: Pumpkin purée and pumpkin pie spice bring the perfect fall vibes, but the cinnamon sugar rim and a maple syrup touch give this drink that just-right balance of sweet, tart, and spiced.
- Garnish: The cinnamon stick garnish adds a little drama and infuses the drink with extra flavor while you sip.
Ingredients
- Tequila – Reposado tequila brings a smooth, slightly aged flavor that pairs beautifully with pumpkin spice. If you don’t have aged tequila, you can also use blanco tequila!
- Orange Liqueur – Orange liqueur adds a bright, citrusy sweetness that balances the spices and tequila. Opt for Cointreau if you want a bolder, richer orange flavor.You can also use Grand Marnier.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Fresh lime juice brightens up the cocktail and adds the perfect amount of tang.
- Pumpkin Puree – Pumpkin puree gives the margarita its creamy texture and autumnal flavor. Make sure to grab pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to keep it from getting too sweet.
- Maple Syrup – Maple syrup adds natural sweetness and a hint of earthiness that complements the pumpkin spice blend. Pure maple syrup is best; avoid pancake syrups with added sugars.
- Pumpkin Spice Blend – This blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other warming spices is what gives the margarita its cozy, fall-inspired flavor. You can also use pumpkin pie spice!
- Cinnamon Sugar Rim – The cinnamon sugar rim adds a sweet, spiced finish to every sip. For the best results, mix the sugar and cinnamon right before rimming to keep it from clumping.
- Cinnamon Stick – A cinnamon stick makes for a beautiful garnish and adds a subtle spiced aroma as you sip.
Substitutions and Additions
- Swap Maple Syrup for Agave Nectar – Agave syrup is another natural sweetener that blends seamlessly into margaritas. It’s a great option if you want to maintain the sweetness without adding any additional spice notes. You could also use a little simple syrup.
- A Dash of Vanilla Extract – A small dash of vanilla extract can enhance the creamy margarita!
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Margaritas
- Prepare the Glass: On a small plate, mix together 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Rub a lime wedge (or a bit of water) around the rim of your margarita glass. Dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat it.
2. Mix the Cocktail: First, add 2 ounces of tequila to a cocktail shaker. I love to use repasado for this recipe, but at the time of shooting, I just had blanco, which also works well!
3. Next, pour 2 teaspoons of maple syrup to the shaker.
4. After adding the maple syrup, add 2 teaspoons of pumpkin puree.
5. Add 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice! You can’t have a margarita without lime juice, of course! In a pinch, you can also use lemon juice.Lastly, add a handful of ice to the cocktail shaker.
6. Cover the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This way, the pumpkin will become smooth and will mix with the other ingredients.
7. Serve: Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice. Strain the margarita mixture into the glass.
8. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to see it! Tag @alliehagerty on Instagram and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review below!
The Best Pumpkin Spice Margarita Recipe for Fall
Equipment
- Margarita glass
- Small dish for rimming
- cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring spoons
Ingredients
For the Margarita:
- 2 ounces tequila preferably reposado
- 1 ounce orange liqueur like Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice blend
- Ice
For the Cinnamon Sugar Rim:
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Lime wedge for rimming
Instructions
Prepare the Glass:
- In a small dish, mix together 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- Rub a lime wedge (or a bit of water) around the rim of your margarita glass.
- Dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat it.
Mix the Drink:
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and pumpkin spice blend.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds.
Serve:
- Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice.
- Strain the margarita mixture into the glass.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick, if desired.
Notes
Expert Tips from My Kitchen
- Use pure pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Shake hard to fully blend the pumpkin and create a smooth, frothy margarita.
- Chill your glass in advance for a frosty finish.
- Adjust the maple syrup based on your taste and the tequila you’re using.
- Don’t skip the cinnamon sugar rim—it’s the perfect sweet-spice balance.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with Fall Appetizers – Serve with a variety of fall appetizers like Mediterranean hummus, mini sausage rolls, fried goat cheese balls, or garlic crostini.
- Pitcher – Batch it for a party by scaling the recipe up and serving in a pitcher with cinnamon stick stirrers.
Storage Instructions
- Best served fresh—don’t store once mixed.
- You can prep the pumpkin mixture (without the tequila or ice) up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it in a sealed jar.
- Shake with ice and alcohol just before serving.
These margaritas are SO good!!! I made them with girlfriends and we are obsessed!
Delicious!