Give thanks and spread a little cheer amongst your family and friends when you serve the Thanksgiving Margarita this holiday season.
The table is long, and everybody you know and love is seated at it. The meal could be as elaborate as Snoopy’s Thanksgiving feast, served before the Peanuts Gang tagged along with Charlie Brown and his family as they traveled over the river and through the woods to his grandmother’s condominium. Whatever is on the plate doesn’t matter, you’re with the ones that do.
As luck would have it, the dishes set out before you are all made with love, and just as scrumdiddlyumptious. Juicy turkeys, honey-baked hams all dripping with glaze, stuffing, and pies… all manner of pies, with a freezer full of ice cream ready to melt atop every ooey-gooey slice. Heavenly, you think. And a reminder of all that you have to be thankful for.
Naturally, this calls for a toast. Do you raise a glass of champagne, or wine? Have you chosen the right vino to pair with your turkey, ham and stuffing? How about a nice, crisp cocktail instead, something that will commemorate this happy occasion. Tonight’s recipe is one such perfect sipper. A full-bodied mixture of apple cider, pear juice, tequila and orange liqueur, the Thanksgiving Margarita combines the bite of the classic summertime drink with the traditional flavors of the family holiday.
What is the best tequila to use in a Thanksgiving Margarita?
When choosing the right spirit to make a balanced and refreshing Thanksgiving Margarita, I suggest going one of two routes. The first would be a grassy, clear and peppery silver tequila. This style will mix nicely with the other ingredients, and will neither overwhelm or be overpowered. The second choice would be a reposado tequila, which is an aged liquor and golden in color. Using this will give your drink a little more complexity in the flavor department.
Ingredients
- Salt for the rim
- 1 lime wedge for the rim
- 2 ounces apple cider chilled
- 1 ounce pear juice
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce orange liqueur like triple sec or Cointreau
- 1 cinnamon stick for garnish
- 1 lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Pour a thin layer of salt onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and then dip the wet rim into the salt to coat it evenly.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the apple cider, pear juice, tequila, and orange liqueur into the shaker. Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Strain into your prepared glass over ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a lime wheel.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Before filling a rocks glass with ice, rub the rim with a lime and dip it into some salt. Once your drink is prepped and poured, garnish with a cinnamon stick and a fresh lime wheel.
Can you use apple juice instead of cider?
It really is best to use apple cider instead of juice in this recipe. The cider will be of a darker color and heavier taste, giving your cocktail the full-bodied balance that makes it so unique. If you like a softer flavor, you can try apple juice instead.
Other margarita variations worth trying
One of the best things about the classic Margarita cocktail is just how many different versions and variations are available. Now that we have one we can make at Thanksgiving, we can possibly have one for every season or holiday as well. Try these out below and let your imagination run wild.
- Cranberry Margarita – Leave this out for Santa instead of cookies for the number one spot on the Nice List.
- Cucumber Margarita – An amazingly fresh and spicy springtime tipple.
- Beer Margarita – Have a few of these the next time you’re lounging by the pool this summer.
- Espresso Margarita – Spend those crisp autumn brunches with this eye-opening beverage.
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