"Thanksgiving Margarita" Is THE Tequila Cocktail I Have to Make Every Year
Weeks before Thanksgiving, I start planning my menu. There’s of course the usual roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, and too many sides to count, but I also focus my attention on what everyone’s going to be drinking. While I know friends will inevitably bring bottles of wine, I like kicking off the night with a cocktail. This year I’m making this Thanksgiving-inspired margarita, with tequila, apple cider, cranberry juice, and lime. With this cocktail, fall’s favorite flavors come together in one sip, while still mimicking the notes of a classic margarita. To make it a little more festive, I’ve swapped out a salt-rimmed glass for one dusted with cinnamon sugar, which pairs perfectly with the tanginess of the drink.
Why You’ll Love It
Just as good as a classic margarita. Thanks to the tequila and lime combination, you’ll get all the joy of a margarita with a few upgrades, thanks to apple cider and cranberry juice.
It’s a Thanksgiving showstopper. With a rosy pink hue, cinnamon-sugar rim, and a sprinkle of fresh cranberries and sliced apples, this cocktail is as good as it looks.
Key Ingredients in a Thanksgiving Margarita
Tequila. Either silver or reposado tequila work here. Silver tends to have brighter notes of agave, while reposado has deeper notes.
Apple cider. Apple cider might just be the most fall-forward drink. If you can’t find cider, unfiltered apple juice will work in its place. Steer clear of regular apple juice, which is too sweet for this cocktail.
Cranberry juice. Cranberry juice adds a tart flavor while also turning the margarita a lovely pink hue. Opt for 100% real cranberry juice with no sugar added to avoid an overly sweet drink.
Lime juice. Staying true to classic margarita ingredients, this cocktail uses lime juice, which complements the cranberry apple flavor.
How to Make a Thanksgiving Margarita
Rim the glass. Run a piece of lime around the rim of a glass to moisten, then dip in a cinnamon sugar mixture. Fill the glass with ice.
Shake and strain the cocktail. Add the lime juice, tequila, apple cider, cranberry juice, and ice to a shaker. Strain into a glass.
Garnish the cocktail. Top with sliced apples and cranberries to serve.
Thanksgiving Margarita Recipe
Shake up this festive twist on a classic margarita with apple cider and cranberry juice, complete with a cinnamon-sugar rim.
Prep time 5 minutes
Serves 1
Ingredients
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 medium limes
Ice
2 ounces reposado or silver tequila
1 ounce apple cider or unfiltered apple juice
1 ounce 100% cranberry juice (no sugar added), such as R. W. Knudsen
3 thin apple slices, for garnish (optional)
3 fresh or frozen cranberries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Stir 1 teaspoon granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon together on a small, flat plate; spread into an even layer.
Quarter 1 of the medium limes. Run 1 piece over the rim of an old-fashioned or margarita glass to moisten. Invert the glass into the cinnamon sugar, turning it as needed, to coat the rim. Fill the glass with ice.
Juice the lime pieces plus 1 additional medium lime until you have 3/4 ounce. Place the lime juice, 2 ounces tequila, 1 ounce apple cider, and 1 ounce cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker halfway with ice. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is very cold and frosty, about 20 seconds.
Pour through a strainer into the glass. Garnish with 3 thin apple slices and 3 cranberries if desired.
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Further Reading
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