This Thanksgiving margarita is a fall twist on the classic, made with tequila, triple sec, lime, cranberry juice, and apple cider. It's a little sweet, a little tart, and tastes like everything you love about November in one glass. The best part? It scales up into a pitcher, so you can pour drinks for the whole table instead of shaking cocktails all night.
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AT A GLANCE
A Thanksgiving margarita is a fall margarita made by shaking tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, cranberry juice cocktail, and apple cider with ice, then pouring it over fresh ice. It's for home hosts who want one easy signature cocktail for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving that pairs with a big holiday meal. This post covers the single cocktail recipe, a make-ahead pitcher version that serves about 10, which cranberry juice and tequila to buy and why, substitutions, and garnish ideas. It also explains the one step most batch margarita recipes skip: adding the lime juice on Thanksgiving day so the pitcher tastes fresh, not flat.
You'll love this Thanksgiving margarita
It goes with the whole meal. It's tart enough to cut through rich food like stuffing and mashed potatoes, and fruity enough to work with turkey and cranberry sauce.
It tastes like Thanksgiving. Cranberry and apple cider replace the usual all-lime base, giving you a cozy, fruity margarita that fits the season.
It's great for a crowd. The pitcher version mixes in five minutes, and you can make most of it ahead. That means more time at the table and less time behind the bar.
Ingredients
Tequila. A 100% agave blanco tequila is all you need. It's clean and bright and lets the cranberry and apple shine. I like Espolòn Blanco or Olmeca Altos Plata because they taste great and don't cost a fortune. If you want a warmer, more fall-flavored drink, try reposado (more on that below).
Triple Sec. This adds a little orange and sweetness. Any triple sec works, but Cointreau is a nice upgrade if you already have a bottle on your bar cart.
Lime Juice. Use fresh lime juice, not bottled. It's what keeps this drink tasting like a margarita and not like a glass of juice.
Cranberry Juice. This one matters. Use cranberry juice cocktail, like the classic Ocean Spray, not 100% pure cranberry juice. Pure cranberry juice is so tart and bitter that it throws the whole drink off balance.
Apple Cider. Grab real apple cider, not apple juice. Cider is unfiltered and less sweet, which gives the drink a deeper apple flavor. Fresh-pressed cider from the refrigerated section or a local orchard tastes best, but shelf-stable cider works too.
How to make this Thanksgiving margarita
- Rim a rocks glass with cinnamon sugar, if you like (see garnish ideas below). Fill it with fresh ice.
- Add 2 oz tequila, ½ oz triple sec, ½ oz lime juice, 1 oz cranberry juice cocktail, and 1 oz apple cider to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into your glass over the fresh ice.
- Garnish and serve.
Why I pour it over fresh ice: the ice in your shaker is already broken up and half melted. Fresh ice in the glass keeps the drink cold longer without watering it down too fast.
How to make a big batch of Thanksgiving margaritas
The pitcher version makes about 10 drinks, and you can make most of it ahead. This is the recipe on the recipe card below.
Big batch for about 10:
- 2 ½ cups tequila
- ⅔ cup triple sec
- 1 ¼ cups cranberry juice cocktail
- 1 ¼ cups apple cider
- ⅔ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 cup cold water
Mix the tequila, triple sec, cranberry juice cocktail, and apple cider in a pitcher. Cover it and chill in the fridge for up to 2 days.
On Thanksgiving day, stir in the lime juice and cold water up to 4 hours before guests arrive.
Substitutions and Variations
Use reposado tequila. Reposado is aged in oak barrels, so it brings soft vanilla and caramel notes. It makes this margarita taste even more like fall. Use the same amount as the blanco.
Make it sweeter with maple syrup. Add ¼ oz maple syrup to the shaker. It rounds out the tart cranberry and adds a cozy, warm sweetness.
Add a little spice. Add ¼ oz ginger syrup to the shaker, or top the drink with a splash of ginger beer for a little fizz and a little bite.
Try mezcal. Swap ½ oz of the tequila for mezcal. It adds a light smoky flavor that's great with apple and cinnamon.
Make it a mocktail. Skip the tequila and triple sec. Shake 2 oz apple cider, 1 ½ oz cranberry juice cocktail, and ½ oz lime juice with ice, then top with sparkling water. Everyone at the table gets a festive drink.
Garnish Ideas
- A cinnamon sugar rim (2 tablespoons sugar mixed with ½ teaspoon cinnamon)
- A fresh rosemary sprig
- A few fresh or sugared cranberries
- A thin apple slice
- A cinnamon stick
My go-to is a cinnamon sugar rim with a rosemary sprig and a few cranberries. The rosemary smells like the holidays the second you pick up the glass, and the red cranberries look so pretty on a Thanksgiving table.
FAQs
What is a Thanksgiving margarita made of?
A Thanksgiving margarita is made with tequila, triple sec, lime juice, cranberry juice, and apple cider. It's a classic margarita with fall flavors added. Some versions also use maple syrup, ginger, or cinnamon for extra warmth.
Can you make margaritas ahead of time for Thanksgiving?
Yes, you can mix the tequila, triple sec, cranberry juice, and apple cider up to 2 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Add the fresh lime juice and water on Thanksgiving day, no more than 4 hours before serving, so the margaritas taste fresh.
Should I use 100% cranberry juice or cranberry juice cocktail in margaritas?
Use cranberry juice cocktail for margaritas. Pure 100% cranberry juice is very tart and bitter, and it overpowers the tequila and apple cider. If pure juice is all you have, add ¼ to ½ oz simple syrup or maple syrup to balance it.
What is the best tequila for a fall margarita?
A 100% agave blanco or reposado tequila is best for a fall margarita. Blanco keeps the drink bright and fruity. Reposado adds vanilla and caramel notes that pair really well with apple cider and cinnamon.
How many margaritas does a pitcher make?
This pitcher makes about 10 margaritas when you pour about 5 oz per glass over ice. For a bigger crowd, double the recipe. Plan on 2 drinks per guest for a Thanksgiving dinner that runs a few hours.
Pin it for later!
Want more Thanksgiving cocktails?
Thanksgiving Margarita
This Thanksgiving margarita tastes like fall in a glass. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and a little spicy with the addition of apple cider. If you’re looking for a large batch tequila cocktail for Thanksgiving, you have to give this a try!
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- ½ oz triple sec
- ½ oz lime juice
- 1 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz apple cider
Instructions
- To a cocktail shaker, add your tequila, triple sec, lime juice, cranberry juice, and apple cider.
- Add ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a margarita glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish and enjoy!
Notes
Substitutions and variations
Maple Syrup. If you want to add a little more bit of sweetness, you can include ¼ - ½ oz of maple syrup.
Ginger Syrup. If you want to add a little bit of spice, you can add ginger syrup or top with a splash of ginger beer.
Tequila. Blanco tequila is typically the tequila I always use for margarita recipes, but for this one, reposado would also be a great one.
Garnish ideas
- Rosemary Sprig.
- Cranberries.
- Apple Slices.
- Cinnamon Sugar Rim.
- Cinnamon Sticks.
FAQs
What are some common flavors in a Thanksgiving margarita?
I love playing with the fall flavors of cranberry, apple, pear, cinnamon, ginger, and maple syrup for a Thanksgiving margarita.
How far in advance can you batch margaritas?
I would recommend making these up to 2-3 days in advance if you want to!
