This Halloween Margarita is spooky and festive, but most importantly tasty! All the traditional flavors of the margarita combined with fruity pomegranate juice and a fun, sugared rim.

Bright red-purple Halloween Margarita in a rocks glass with sugar and rosemary garnish. — Halloween Margarita

Halloween and spooky season are my favorite time of year. The weather, the leaves, all things scary, and the fall flavors can’t be beat. Coming up with themed recipes for Halloween parties, scary movie nights, and/or trick-or-treat makes this season all the more fun. This Halloween Margarita is perfect for serving at parties or just a party of two. Happy hour, anyone? You can prepare them on the rocks, frozen, or big batch style. If you’re serving for a party, you should also definitely check out my Halloween Blood Bag Cocktails.

Ingredients

This Halloween Margarita contains all the typical ingredients found in a classic margarita and more.

Tequila

I’d recommend using a silver or blanco tequila for this Halloween Margarita recipe. These types of tequilas aren’t aged long yielding a clean, crisp liquor. It blends well with the fruity pomegranate juice and gives the cocktail this beautiful, vibrant color. Using a smokier tequila, like Mezcal, would also taste delicious though if you want to add additional flavor complexity.

Cointreau

An orange citrus liqueur. Can substitute with any orange liqueur like triple sec or Grand Marnier.

Lime

Can’t have a margarita (or tequila in general) without lime. You must use fresh!

Pomegranate

Sweet and tart pomegranate juice takes this Halloween Margarita up a level. And it gives it this gorgeous red, purple color. I love how much juice pomegranates yield too. It makes preparing larger batches that much easier, because you don’t have to squeeze a million of them. I prefer the taste of fresh, but you can use store-bought juice if you wish.

Sanding Sugar/Crystal Sugar

I use black and purple sanding sugar for the rim for a unique garnish. This is completely optional, but it makes it look extra festive. You’ll find sanding sugar with all the baking decorations. I just tend to use them more for cocktails than desserts. 😊

Smoking Rosemary Garnish

I added a rosemary sprig to which I lit the tip then blew out for the smoked effect. Completely optional but definitely adds to the “spooky” vibe.

Halloween Margarita Instructions

On the Rocks Method:

My preferred easy method for this Halloween Margarita recipe is on the rocks. Rim a glass with some agave and the sanding sugar. Then simply add all ingredients to a shaker. Muddle (crush) the pomegranate seeds down into the liquid. Add ice, shake well, then strain into the rimmed glass with fresh ice. Garnish with smoked rosemary.

Don’t own a muddler? If you like to mix cocktails, I recommend getting one. Here’s the only I have. The back of a spoon can work in a pinch though.

Frozen Method:

To make a frozen Halloween Margarita, simply toss all the ingredients into a blender with ice. While I love frozen margs, this is probably my best favorite method for this recipe given the time of year.

Pitcher Method:

If you’re hosting a Halloween party and don’t want to get stuck playing bartender, you can also serve these Halloween Margaritas large batch/punch style. Depending on how many you’re serving triple or quadruple this recipe. You can leave the pomegranate seeds in or strain them out prior to serving. Add ice before serving or leave ice on the side for guests to serve themselves so the cocktail doesn’t get watered down.

FAQs

What is the best type of tequila for this Halloween margarita?

I prefer to use silver or blanco tequila for this recipe. Any will do, but I used Hornitos here. If you want to add a little smokiness to the cocktail, try Mezcal.

If I can’t find pomegranate can I use something else?

Pomegranate juice also works if you can’t find fresh pomegranates. Raspberries and blackberries would give the cocktail a similar color though. Blood orange or strawberries would also be tasty.

Can I make this margarita virgin?

Of course! To make a non-alcoholic Halloween Margarita simply increase the measurements for the pomegranate and lime juice and add more agave while omitting the tequila and triple sec. Adding some orange juice will also help replicate the flavor.

Serve with...

Having a party? Serve this Halloween Margarita alongside Hot Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail, Prosecco Grapes, Burrata Crostini, or Mussels and Chorizo.

Serving for scary movie night? Try with Chimichangas (Pan Fried, Baked, or Air Fried), Easy Homemade Pizza Bagels, Homemade Meatballs, Queso Blanco, or Gigi Hadid Pasta (Spicy Vodka Sauce Shells).

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