Love a fall margarita with a unique twist? Let me introduce you to the lovely plum-thyme margarita. Made with a fresh plum-thyme simple syrup and a generous dose of tequila, this plum-thyme margarita is a seasonal favorite that’s perfect for any festive fall gathering.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
If there’s one cocktail I love serving a crowd, it’s a margarita. Everyone loves a good margarita, so you know it’s sure to please. Margaritas are also endlessly customizable and couldn’t be simpler to make.
Sure, with this margarita, we’re making our own thyme-plum simple syrup, but the process isn’t hard. Once we have our simple syrup, we shake it up and serve.
While I’m calling this plum margarita a fall cocktail, don’t feel like you can’t serve it year-round. Plum season starts in the summer and goes into the fall. Plus, you can find plums in the market any time of year. A plum’s rich purple hue makes my brain think fall, but this plum margarita is delicious whether there’s a nip in the air or warm summer sunshine.
Ingredients
Now to gather our ingredients. This is everything we need to make a plum-thyme margarita.
- Sugar
- Water
- Plums
- Fresh thyme
- Lime
- Tequila
- Triple sec
- Coarse sea salt
For the tequila, I like to reach for a reposado. Unlike a blanco tequila, reposado spends time aging in oak barrels, which gives it a more nuanced flavor. You can certainly use what you have on hand or your favorite variety, but that’s my preference.
How to Make Plum-Thyme Simple Syrup
We first need to make our homemade simple syrup. This step is as easy as cooking water, sugar, plum slices and fresh thyme sprigs on the stove-top until the sugar dissolves. After that, we give our simple syrup time to steep and then mash the plums to extract more of that sweet fruit flavor.
Now we strain and chill the plum-thyme simple syrup, and we’re ready to start on the rest of our drink.
How to Make Plum-Thyme Margarita
From here, we add the plum-thyme simple syrup to a cocktail shaker along with the tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice and ice. We give it a good shake and then strain into ice-filled glasses.
Drop some fresh plum slices in your glass for a pretty touch and add a few fresh thyme sprigs for a fragrant garnish. Now sip away and enjoy this tasty plum cocktail.
Perfect Pairing for Plum Cocktail
With a plum cocktail, you can't go wrong with roast duck. Plum sauce is a popular accompaniment to duck, and the flavors work perfectly together, especially when you add the herbal quality from the thyme. As if that's not enough, roast duck is perfect for any upcoming holiday celebration, so the two are a festive match for this time of year.
For your next fall celebration, I hope you try this plum-thyme margarita.
Cheers!
Big Fan of Margaritas?
- Jalapeno-mango margarita
- Blood orange margarita
- Coconut margarita
- Raspberry-peach margarita
- Roasted strawberry margarita
- Strawberry-kiwi margarita
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📖 Recipe
Plum-Thyme Margarita
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Handheld citrus juicer
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Cocktail shaker
Ingredients
Plum-Thyme Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 5-10 fresh thyme sprigs
- 4 plums seeded, cut into slices
Plum-Thyme Margarita
- 1 lime slice cut in middle, for garnish, optional
- Coarse sea salt for garnish, optional
- 2 ounces tequila preferably reposado
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounce orange liqueur preferably Grand Marnier or Cointreau
- 1 ounce plum-thyme simple syrup
- Ice
Instructions
Plum-Thyme Simple Syrup
- Add the water, sugar, thyme sprigs and plum slices to a saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat and cook to a low boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
- Once the sugar dissolves, turn off heat, mash the plums in the syrup and allow to steep, preferably at least 30 minutes. Strain and chill. You can take care of this step ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple weeks.
Plum-Thyme Margarita
- If you'd like a salted glass, run a lime slice around the glass rim. Pour coarse sea salt on a small plate. Dip the glass into the ice and twist a few times to allow the salt to adhere. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, plum-thyme simple syrup and a handful of ice. Pop on the top and shake vigorously for 15-30 seconds.
- Add ice to the glass. Strain the margarita into the glass. If desired, garnish with plum slices and thyme sprigs. Enjoy!
Notes
- A potato masher works well to mash the plums. You could also use a fork if you don't have a potato masher.
- Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Lathiya says
This sounds like an amazing drink to serve for any gathering. The drink have beautiful color.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Lathiya! I do love the color.
Mirlene says
Yessssss! This is the drink I have been waiting for. I like that it has plum flavor. I cannot wait to make it for the holidays. Thanks for sharing!!!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You’re so welcome! I hope it adds some festive fun to your holidays. ?
Alexis says
This drink loos delicious, especially for the holidays with the beautiful colors. Thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
You're so welcome, Alexis!
Ramona says
Plum and thyme! I love the combination and I should definitely make this for my friends gathering the following weekend. Thanks for the inspo. Beautiful presentation too!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I hope you do!
Candiss says
I love margaritas of all kinds and this plum thyme one sounds like a very interesting version to try for fall!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
It is --- hope you get a chance to try it!
Jacqui Debono says
There is nothing better than a margarita! I love the colours - so festive!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
I'll cheers to that!
Emily says
Everything about this margarita is perfection! Love the beautiful presentation with fresh peaches and the salted rims!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks, Emily! I'm a sucker for a nice garnish. ?
Erika says
This is a beautiful cocktail! I love the plum flavor you used here.
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Thanks so much, Erika! I was happy with how that color turned out.
Stine Mari says
I love the combination of plum and thyme! There are always an abundance of plums around here in the Summer so I will have to save the recipe for next Summer. And you're right - everyone loves margaritas!
Alisa Infanti says
Roast duck is my absolute favourite food so now you have me intrigued even more than the drools I already have over your beautiful Plum Margarita pictures. So looking forward to making this!
Amanda McGrory-Dixon says
Same! It’s so good. Hope you love it!