As we transition into the fall season, we’re greeted with pumpkin spice everything. From lattes to muffins, the flavor is everywhere. But who says pumpkin spice is just for sweets? Today, we’re showcasing a different kind of pumpkin spice goodness – the Spicy Pumpkin Margarita.

This perfect happy hour drink is a delightful blend of tequila, lime juice, pumpkin syrup, and Cointreau, with the added kick of habanero. Sounds interesting, right? Keep reading to learn how to make it and enjoy a delightful autumn cocktail at home.

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Here’s what ingredients you’ll need for this drink:

2 oz habanero infused tequila
1/2 oz Cointreau
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz pumpkin syrup*

And you’ll need the following for the pumpkin syrup:

1 cup water
1.5 cups brown sugar
1/4 cup pumpkin purée
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie syrup

You might also like our Spicy Pumpkin Beer & Tequila Cocktail.

How To Make A Spicy Pumpkin Margarita Drink

For each serving, measure out two ounces of habanero-infused tequila, half an ounce of Cointreau, one ounce of lime juice, and half an ounce of pumpkin syrup. Add all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well, then strain the drink into a glass, ideally over ice. You can garnish your drink with a wedge of lime and a sprinkle of cinnamon or sugar.

The key ingredient in this cocktail is the habanero-infused tequila. To make it, place sliced habanero peppers into a bottle of tequila and let it infuse for up to five days. Make sure to remove the peppers once they’ve imparted enough flavor, so as not to overpower the other flavors in the cocktail.

Wondering what the final result will taste like? The spice of the habanero adds a little extra heat, while the pumpkin syrup and Cointreau create a sweet hint of pumpkin. Meanwhile, the tequila and lime juice balance out the sweetness with a tangy bite. All of these flavors come together to make a perfect autumnal cocktail – spicy, sweet, and tangy.

How To Make The Pumpkin Syrup

Here’s how you can make it from scratch. In a saucepan, add a cup of water, a cup and a half of brown sugar, a quarter cup of pumpkin puree, and a teaspoon of pumpkin pie syrup. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 25-30 minutes until it turns into a thick syrup with dissolved sugar.

Cool, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This syrup can last for up to two weeks, ready to be used for multiple batches of this cocktail.