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Cocktail History
The Pumpkin Spice Margarita is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created as an autumn variation of the classic lime-flavored Margarita. The recipe keeps the traditional structure of a Margarita—tequila, triple sec, and citrus juice—but introduces a homemade pumpkin spice syrup to replace standard simple syrup. The choice of lemon juice instead of lime also adds a brighter acidity that balances the rich, spiced sweetness of the syrup. This cozy reimagining brings together the best of fall and cocktail culture in a glass, perfect for cool evenings or festive gatherings.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Tequila Reposado: This is a type of tequila made in Mexico with blue agave, sugar, alcohol, and water that is aged from two to twelve months. I used Arette Tequila Reposado.
Pumpkin Spice Syrup: This is a sweetener made with pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, brown sugar, white sugar, and water. I used this sous vide recipe.
Triple Sec: This is a liqueur made with bitter oranges, lemons, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Cointreau.
Lemon Juice: This is the tart, acidic liquid extracted from lemons. I used fresh lemon juice.
Cinnamon Stick: This is a rolled and dried bark from the cinnamon tree. I used Simply Organic Cinnamon Sticks.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.
Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.
Margarita Glass: This is a wide, stemmed glass with a distinctive curved bowl and a narrow base that’s used for serving Margaritas. I used the Libbey Margarita Glass.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Vibrant, warm orange color
• Aroma: Rich and cozy pumpkin, baking spices, and citrus
• Taste: Harmonious blend of sweet pumpkin, spicy tequila, and tangy lemon
• Finish: Smooth texture with lingering baking spice notes
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “My first shot at making a Pumpkin Spice Margarita was a miss, but only because the lime just didn’t work. I ended up trying a second version a few weeks later with lemon instead, and that one was much more balanced. I still think I prefer recipes that pair pumpkin spice with other spirits such as brandy or whiskey over this one, but I have to admit it was much better than I expected. I would definitely make a batch on a girls’ night.”
Recipe
Pumpkin Spice Margarita
The Pumpkin Spice Margarita is a Novel Nightcaps original cocktail that was created as an autumn variation of the classic lime-flavored Margarita. The recipe calls for tequila, triple sec, and citrus similar to the original, but my version swaps out the regular simple syrup with my homemade pumpkin spice syrup and uses lemon instead of lime for better balance.
Ingredients
Method
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Add tequila, pumpkin spice syrup, triple sec, lemon juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a margarita glass.
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Garnish with cinnamon stick.
