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Cocktail History
The Thanksgiving Margarita is an autumn cocktail that was created by bartender Naren Young at Dante in New York City, New York. This seasonal version of the recipe stays true to its roots with tequila, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, and a salted rim, but it incorporates festive flavors to match the cozy vibes of the fall season. A spoonful of creamy pumpkin purée adds a subtle richness and earthy sweetness, while a ground ginger rim introduces a warm, spiced kick. These thoughtful additions elevate the iconic Margarita template, making it perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings or as a creative prelude to a holiday feast.
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, and alcohol that is aged from two to twelve months. I used Arette Tequila Reposado.
Pumpkin Purée: This is cooked pumpkin that has been blended into a smooth pulp. I used Farmer’s Market Foods Organic Pumpkin Purée.
Lime Juice: This is the tangy liquid extracted from the flesh of limes. I used fresh lime juice.
Agave Syrup: This is a sweetener made with the liquid inside agave plants, sugar, and water.
Allspice Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with allspice berries, spices, sugar, and rum. I used St. Elizabeth’s Allspice Dram.
Amaretto Liqueur: This is a liqueur made in Italy with almonds, spices, and alcohol. I used Di Amore Amaretto Liqueur.
Ground Ginger: This is a fine, dried powder made with dried ginger root. I used Simply Organic Ground Ginger.
Salt: This is a naturally occurring mineral made with sodium chloride. I used Maldon Sea Salt Flakes.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Roasted Pumpkin Slice: This is a slice of pumpkin that has been roasted and cut into a moon shape.
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.
Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving spirits neat or on the rocks. I used the Anchor Hocking Manchester Rocks Glass.
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Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Warm orange color
• Aroma: Ginger, agave, and pumpkin
• Taste: Salt and ginger followed by a pumpkin-forward flavor accented with tequila, nuttiness, and baking spices
• Finish: Tangy lime and pumpkin notes
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “I tried two or three versions of a fall Margarita this year, and I think this version is as close as you can get to a palatable take that still uses lime. I ended up preferring lemon over its tangier sibling in the Pumpkin Spice Margarita, and although I do think this one would taste better with lemon too, leaving it as the more pure Margarita template works. It has a thicker texture because of the pumpkin purée/butter, so be warned. That could be a little off-putting for some. Overall though, the Thanksgiving Margarita is good, but I think I prefer the lemon variations quite a bit more.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Liquor.com, an online beverage publication.
Thanksgiving Margarita
The Thanksgiving Margarita is an autumn cocktail that was created by bartender Naren Young of Dante in New York City, New York. Meant to be a holiday-inspired variation of the iconic lime Margarita, the recipe calls for the classic mixture of tequila, lime, agave syrup, and salt, but it adds a layer of autumnal complexity with a spoonful of spiced pumpkin butter and a ground ginger rim.
Ingredients
Method
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Mix ground ginger and salt onto a plate, rub outer rim of a lowball glass with lime slice, and roll glass in mixture until coated.
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Add tequila, pumpkin purée, lime juice, agave syrup, allspice liqueur, amaretto liqueur, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a ginger and salt-rimmed glass.
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Garnish with roasted pumpkin slice.
