This Jack-O’-Lantern Margarita Is Perfect for Your Next Cocktail Party

Adobe Stock / MarkoVS87

Treat your guests to this scary good cocktail at your next Halloween party around the Main Line and western suburbs.

Forget the boring bowl of punch this Halloween and treat—or trick—your guests with this fall-themed cocktail. The jack-o’-lantern margarita is a delicious combination of autumnal flavors in a spooktacular recipe with a Main Line twist.

The first thing you’ll notice about the jack-o’-lantern margarita is that, unlike other similar margaritas, it’s thick and creamy. That characteristic is thanks to Pennsylvania Dutch Pumpkin Spice Cream Liqueur. Bottled in Philadelphia and made with ingredients from Main Line area farms and purveyors, this liqueur dishes up fresh, seasonal flavors with every sip. Notes of allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger blend with local dairy cream for an enchanting sweetness.

- Advertisement -

The next bottle you’ll want to grab from your shelf or local store is reposado tequila. For those who are used to tequila blanco or haven’t tried reposado before, expect deeper notes of vanilla, caramel, dried fruits and warm baking spices. Though the brand can vary based on what you have available, we like 1800 Resposado Tequila, which offers hints of buttery caramel, mild spices and a touch of smokiness with an orange peel, white pepper and marzipan finish.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 1800 Tequila (@1800tequila)

Of great importance is your choice of citrus. The jack-o’-lantern margarita uses both lemon and orange and, because fresh-squeezed is always better, make sure to pick out soft, ripe fruits, as these will be easier to juice. Depending on your preference, we recommend either Valencia or navel oranges. Valencias contain more juice and will be easier to squeeze, but common navel oranges are sweeter. Either is acceptable in the jack-o’-lantern margarita.

Finally, you’ll want to make sure you have top-notch garnishes. Longer cinnamon sticks are better as they’re less likely to fall sideways into the glass. You’ll also want a high-quality, non-synthetic vanilla extract as well as a fine cocoa powder. It’s a good idea to have a decent whipped cream, too.

Jack-o’-Lantern Margarita

Ingredients:

- Partner Content -

1.5 oz 1800 Reposado Tequila
1 oz Pennsylvania Dutch Pumpkin Spice Cream Liqueur
2 oz fresh-squeezed orange juice
.5 oz lemon juice
Dash of vanilla

Garnishes:

One cinnamon stick
Whipped cream
Cocoa powder

Directions:

Add liberal helping of ice to cocktail shaker.

- Advertisement -

Combine liquid ingrdients over ice in shaker.

Shake and pour into a rocks glass through a fine strainer to remove pulp and/or seeds.

Stir with cinnamon stick and top with whipped cream.

Add cocoa powder dusting over whipped cream.

Enjoy your cocktail!

Related: The Tastiest Pumpkin Spice Treats Around the Main Line This Fall

Our Best of the Main Line Elimination Ballot is open through February 22!