For a lot of us, Thanksgiving won’t be the usual two dozen relatives crammed into a living room this year. But whether you’re scaling down your celebration or using a solo holiday as an opportunity to shake up the menu and break tradition, it’s still important for your drinks to match your menu, which is where we introduce the Thanksgiving margarita.
Though the pumpkin spice craze has died down from its peak in the 2010s (anyone else remember Pumpkin Pie Spice Pringles?) the flavor remains a staple of the fall season. The side dishes on a Thanksgiving table may be negotiable, but there’s one thing that isn’t: pumpkin pie, the quintessentially cozy dessert even the fullest bellies can make room for.
When this humble dessert is done well, the flavors are perfectly balanced, with the tangy ginger and spicy nuttiness from cinnamon, cloves, and allspice playing off of the pumpkin’s rich sweetness. Altogether they create a harmony of flavor and smell that has come to represent the pure essence of the fall season.
The Thanksgiving margarita combines puts a fresh twist on these classic flavors for a deliciously spicy and refreshing drink that’s ideal for sipping. Whether you’re keeping your menu traditional or breaking the mold, this homage to a classic is the perfect addition to your table. Here’s how to make it, courtesy of Liquor.com.
Ingredients
1 Tablespoon ground ginger
1 Tablespoon sea salt
1 lime wedge
1 ½ ounces reposado tequila
¼ ounce allspice dram liqueur
¼ ounce amaretto
1 ounce pumpkin puree
¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
½ ounce agave nectar
Roasted pumpkin slice (or whipped cream, optional) for garnish
How to make
Combine the ground ginger and sea salt and distribute evenly on a small plate. Use the lime wedge to wet half the rim of a rocks glass and dip in the salt and ginger mixture. (You can also use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to achieve a more finely textured salt, if you prefer.)
Add remaining ingredients to a cocktail shaker that has been filled with ice; shake until the outside is frosty and the cocktail is chilled.
Add fresh ice to your prepared glass and strain your Thanksgiving margarita into the glass.
Garnish with a slice of roasted pumpkin (or a dollop of whipped cream, if you’re more of a traditionalist).
