Kick off cozy season with an Apple Cider Margarita! Whether you pair it with other fall favorites or make a pitcher for taco night, this easy apple cocktail is guaranteed to please.
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Apple cider and margaritas are a match made in autumnal heaven.
You know it’s fall when jugs of yummy, locally made apple cider start popping up at the grocery store. While I rarely purchase apple juice, I always pick up apple cider, because I adore the intensity of its pure, apple-icious flavor!
In addition to sipping right from a glass, apple cider is a fantastic addition to cocktails like this apple cider margarita (and you can use the rest for Apple Cider Mimosas and this Apple Cider Cocktail!)
- Like my Grapefruit Margarita and Watermelon Margarita, this apple cider margarita is all-caps EASY to make, and you don’t need eleventy-billion specialty liqueurs to mix it up.
- The flavor? On point! This cocktail truly is the ideal mix of apple cider coziness and margarita refreshment, with apple cider and maple syrup to bring the fall vibes, lime juice for marg vibes, and orange liqueur to join the two together in perfect harmony.
- You can shake up a single margarita or make a pitcher for a party. I share options for both in the recipe card below.
Key Ingredients
You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.
- Tequila. I recommend using silver tequila which is un-aged; this means it has a crisp, clean flavor that doesn’t overshadow the apple cider.
- Apple Cider. The kind that’s cloudy, the color of crunchy fall leaves, and refrigerated. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, make your own Apple Cider!
- Maple Syrup. That’s pure maple syrup, friends, not breakfast syrup! Darker maple syrups have more intense maple flavor.
- Orange Liqueur. Such as Cointreau. A classic addition to margaritas, but also an excellent complementary flavor to apple cider.
- Lime Juice. Freshly squeezed is a must!
- Garnishes. Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
- For the Rim. If you’d like to do the optional rim, you’ll need sugar, cinnamon, flaky salt, and either maple syrup or a lime wedge to help the dry ingredients stick.
How to Make an Apple Cider Margarita
Rim the Glass. Mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt on a small plate. Brush the rim of a margarita glass with maple syrup or rub a lime wedge along the rim. (Be careful, because the cinnamon mixture will stick to every part that’s wet!) Then, dip the rim and add ice to the glass.
Shake It. Add ice to a cocktail shaker (or jar if you don’t have a cocktail shaker), then pour in the tequila, apple cider, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Shake-shake-shake for 30 seconds.
Finish. Pour the apple cider margarita into the prepared glass, garnish as desired, and ENJOY!
What to Serve with Apple Cider Margaritas
You can take this apple cider margarita recipe two ways: pair it with fall flavors or serve it with Mexican food. Here’s some inspiration.
- Fall-Inspired Meals. Like Butternut Squash Pasta or Pork Chops With Apples.
- Autumnal Party Food. Serve these apple cider margs with small bites like Pumpkin Goat Cheese Crostini or Cranberry Brie Bites.
- Taco Night Faves. Cauliflower Tacos would be perfect, as would these Crockpot Chicken Tacos.
Apple Cider Margarita
Video
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Ingredients
For 1 Margarita:
- 2 ounces silver tequila
- 2 ounces apple cider look for some in the refrigerated section, not shelf stable
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- ½ ounce orange liqueur such as cointreau
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice 1 tablespoon, about ½ lime
- Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, whole star anise for garnish
For the Rim (optional):
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons flaky salt
- Pure maple syrup or lime wedge
Instructions
- To rim the glass, on a small plate mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Brush the rim of the glass with pure maple syrup (or run a lime wedge around the outside to moisten it if you prefer a less sweet option). Dip into the cinnamon mixture to rim. Fill the glass with ice.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, apple cider, maple syrup, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds to combine, then strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and star anise as desired. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
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