Here’s a drink that screams spooky fun: the Halloween Margarita! It might look scary, but it tastes like a dream, made with a spiced apple cider syrup, fresh lime and tequila. It’s tangy and a little sweet, balancing the lime and tequila perfectly. Make it as a single drink, or whip up a pitcher for a party! The glass garnishes take it over the top, like DIY black colored sugar, blood oranges, and a few spiders (of course!).
What you need for Halloween margaritas
If you love Halloween like we do, you’ll absolutely love this drink! This Halloween margarita is ideal for parties because you can whip up single drinks to order or make a big pitcher. The flavor is perfectly spiced and nuanced, tangy sweet from the apple cider syrup balanced with the bite of the tequila. It’s absolutely worth whipping up the syrup in advance because it infuses major flavor without watering down the drink. Here are the components you’ll need for a Halloween margarita:
Tequila, blanco or reposado Apple cider syrup (see below) Lime juice Kosher salt or black colored sugar Blood orange slice Clear ice, for serving Halloween cocktail picks
Making the apple cider syrup
Apple cider syrup is essential for the flavor in this drink! Apple cider on its own waters down cocktails instead of adding flavor. Making the syrup is what infuses major flavor into the drink, while still allowing the tequila and lime to shine through. Here’s what to know about apple cider syrup:
It takes 30 minutes to make. Simply boil apple cider with sugar and a cinnamon stick for about 30 minutes on the stovetop, until reduced and syrupy. Make a batch in advance. This is an easy component to make in advance and refrigerate until serving. It stores up to 2 weeks refrigerated. Make a double batch for a pitcher. If you’re making 8 drinks, make a double batch of the syrup! Want to use it for more drinks? Try the Fall Margarita or Apple Cider Old Fashioned.
Halloween margarita drink garnishes
The best part of a Halloween margarita? The drink garnishes! You can get creative with your own ideas, or you can use what we’ve made up here. Here’s what to know:
Make DIY colored sugar. Turns out, you don’t have to go out and buy drink sugar. You can make your own! Go to our DIY colored sugar tutorial and follow the instructions for the black sugar. Or, you can make different colors like orange or purple! If you prefer, make a salt rim. It also tastes great with a salt rim. (In theory, you could use the same instructions as the colored sugar for salt: we just haven’t tried it! You’ll want to use flaky or kosher salt, not fine salt.) Use an orange slice and festive cocktail picks. These Halloween cocktail picks (aka cupcake toppers) really set the tone! We used a blood orange slice to fasten our cocktail picks, because Halloween! But if you can’t find them, a regular orange will do.
Notes on clear ice
While it’s not required, clear ice is the final component that makes for the best Halloween Margarita! Clear ice is crystal clear ice that makes a drink look like it came from a fancy bar. You can cut it into large, organic chunks to take your cocktails to the next level.
Clear ice is easy to make at home with a small cooler and 24 hours. You’ll need to freeze it overnight, then you can cut it into chunks. Go to How to Make Clear Ice. Or, use a clear ice tray! Try this ClearlyFrozen Home Clear Ice Maker works well.
Make a Halloween margarita pitcher for a party
If you’re having a Halloween party, make a Halloween margarita pitcher! It’s easy to make 8 drinks at once and comes together quickly. See the instructions in the recipe below. Party tip: Make sure to have all your drink rims and garnishes prepped in advance. Then you can add ice and pour in the drinks directly before serving. Avoid placing the ice in the glass beforehand, since the melting ice can cause the food coloring in the colored sugar to melt.
More Halloween drinks
Want more ideas for spooky drinks? Here are a few Halloween cocktails we love:
Try this bright Witches Brew Drink Go for a Vampire’s Kiss Cocktail Make Halloween Sangria or smoking Halloween Punch Channel wizards and Witches with Butterbeer Try these other Halloween Drinks
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2 ounces tequila reposado (or tequila blanco) 1 ounce apple cider syrup (see below) ½ ounce lime juice Kosher salt or black colored sugar*, for the rim Blood orange slice, for garnish (optional) Clear ice, for serving Halloween cocktail picks (optional but recommended)
For the apple cider syrup (makes ¾ cup)
4 cups apple cider ¼ cup granulated sugar 4 cinnamon sticks
