A glass of apple cider margarita with apple slices and a cinnamon stick in it.

Are you ready to infuse your fall evenings with a little bit of sweetness and spice? Then look no further than our Apple Cider Margarita recipe. This delightful cocktail combines apple cider, tequila, triple sec, and zesty lime juice, all elegantly served over ice cubes.

To add an extra layer of flavor, we rim the glasses with a sweet cinnamon-sugar mixture for that perfect Fall touch. So whether you're hosting a party or enjoying a cozy night in, this cocktail is certain to please.

(This post may contain affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. I only recommend products I support and trust.)

Feel free to adjust the amount of apple cider to your taste. So, with all that said, let's embark on a journey to discover the magic of the Apple Cider Margarita!

Essy and I really enjoyed this drink. After introducing the refreshing Watermelon Kombucha in the summer, and recently adding our delicious Caramel Iced Coffee to the blog, we figured it was time to get y'all a little tipsy.

Jump to:

Reasons Why You'll Love This Recipe
Key Ingredients
Step-By-Step Instructions
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Substitution and Addition Ideas
Recipe FAQs
More Recipes You'll Love
Recipe

Reasons Why You'll Love This Recipe

Fall Flavors: The recipe captures the essence of Fall, making it the perfect drink for the season.
Thanksgiving Dinner: It can be a great addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. Your in-laws will totally love you for making this.
Perfect Balance: This apple margarita strikes the perfect balance between a classic margarita and the rich, delicious flavor of apple cider.
Customizable: You can totally adjust the ingredients to suit your personal preference.
Special Garnishes: You can garnish it with your favorite garnishes as well.
Seasonal Cocktail: If the margarita is your favorite classic cocktail, we think you'll love this seasonal variation.

Key Ingredients

Apple Cider: I used store-bought apple cider, but you can use freshly pressed apple cider, which provides a refreshing and crisp apple flavor to the margarita. Feel free to use spiced apple cider, which is usually in the juice, groceries or beverage section of most local grocery stores during the fall season.

Tequila: Tequila is the alcoholic base of this margarita. Two popular tequilas are Blanco (Silver) tequila and Reposado tequila. Blanco (Silver) tequila is clear and un-aged. It has a crisp, agave flavor. Reposado tequila is lightly aged and mellow in taste. Both are perfect for cocktails and sipping. For a non-alcoholic version, you can use apple juice or sparkling apple cider. In this recipe, I used Blanco tequila, but you can use your favorite tequila.

Triple Sec: Triple Sec is an orange liqueur that adds a citrusy sweetness and balances the tartness of the apple cider. You can replace it with other liquors such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier if they are available, or you can use orange juice for a non-alcoholic version.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Rim:

A collage if images. One with the rim of a glass

Step 1
In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.

Step 2
Then, pour 1 tablespoon maple syrup onto a small plate.

Step 3
Dip the rim of the glasses into the maple syrup, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat the rim.

Make Margarita:

Step 1
At this point, add ice cubes to the bottom of the rimmed glasses.

Step 2
To each prepared glass, add 4 oz (6 tbsp) fresh apple cider, 2 oz (4 tbsp) blanco tequila, 1 oz (2 tbsp) orange liqueur, and ½ oz (1 tbsp) lime juice. Stir ingredients together in each glass until chilled, about 30 seconds.

Step 3
Top off with additional ice if needed and then garnish the glasses with fresh apple slices and cinnamon on the rim if desired.

Step 4
Lastly, serve and enjoy your apple cider cocktail!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

For a non-alcoholic apple cider margarita, simply omit the tequila and then replace it with apple juice or sparkling cider.

I used a rocks glass, which is also known as a whiskey glass, or lowball glass. A margarita glass, cocktail glass, or any type of glass you like will also work for this delicious fall margarita.

You can use a cocktail shaker to mix and chill the ingredients for this apple cider margarita. Just add the ingredients to a shaker that has been filled ½ to ¾ full with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds or until you can feel the ice breaking up inside, or the shaker is starting to get frosty.

Substitution and Addition Ideas

Other great garnishes for apple cider margaritas include a sprig of rosemary, a lime wedge, or star anise which has a warming cinnamon-like flavor.

Recipe FAQs

What is an Apple Cider Margarita?
An apple cider margarita is a festive fall twist on a classic margarita cocktail. you make it by mixing apple cider with tequila, orange liqueur like Triple sec or Cointreau, and lime juice. The apple cider adds a touch of sweetness and fall flavor to this drink.

What is Tequila?
Tequila is a distilled alcoholic beverage that's made by fermenting the juice of blue agave. Mainly produced in certain parts of Mexico, blue agave give Tequila its rich and distinct flavor. The process of making tequila generally includes cooking the heart of the blue agave, extracting the juices, fermenting, then distilling it .

Does apple juice go well with tequila?
Yes, the sweetness of apple juice totally complements the smoky flavor of tequila in cocktails.

What do you mix with apple cider?
Some classic things to mix with apple cider are rum, bourbon, vodka, and of course tequila, if you're making an apple cider margarita. Apple cider also goes well with fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. You can also make an apple cider sangria by mixing red wine, apple cider, orange juice, sliced oranges and apples, cinnamon, star anise, and ice in a pitcher to chill for a couple of hours before pouring it into glasses garnished with fruit slices.

Can you just heat up apple cider?
Yes, you can heat up apple cider on its own. I recommend adding cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and heating it slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it becomes hot but isn't boiling. Avoid boiling because it can cause your cider to taste bitter - nobody wants bitter cider. Top your delicious cider with cinnamon sticks for garnish and extra flavor.

Can I use this recipe to make a large batch for a larger crowd?
Absolutely! You can easily make a large batch for a crowd in a large mason jar or drink dispenser. Simply multiply the ingredients, then add them to a large container. Mix and serve in rocks or margarita glasses along with a festive garnish.

What's the difference between apple juice and apple cider?
The difference between apple juice and apple cider is that apple juice is filtered and clear, while apple cider is unfiltered, opaque, and has an amber color. Apple cider tends to have a more flavorful apple flavor in contrast to apple juice.

What's the difference between Blanco (Silver) tequila and Reposado tequila?
The difference between Blanco and Reposado tequila is that Blanco is aged less than 2 months in steel tanks and Reposado is aged 2-12 months in oak barrels. Barrel aging gives Reposado a mellower, slightly oaky flavor.

What tequilas do you recommend?
Good-budget tequilas are Tres Agaves, Cimarron, Altos Reposado, and Suerte. Whichever one you buy, make sure it's made with 100% blue agave. Good splurge Tequilas are El Tesoro, Maestro Dobel, Mi Campo, El Tequileno, Tequila Lalo, Siete Leguas, Tequila Ocho, Mi Familia, Espolón Blanco, Espolón reposado, Alteño Blanco or Reposado. You could also buy Casamigos or José Cuervo Tradicional but I highly recommend buying any of the others mentioned or tequilas that are owned by women or black owned.

Whether you're looking to elevate your Thanksgiving dinner, host some guests, or simply savor the flavors of the season, this customizable fall favorite is the perfect drink for you. Prepare it today and delight in the cozy goodness of this Apple Cider Margarita!

More Recipes You'll Love

Looking for other easy and delicious recipes? Try these:

Recipe

Apple Cider Margarita

Apple Cider Margarita: A delicious fall cocktail with apple cider, tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and cinnamon sugar rim. This drink is tasty and enchanting!

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Drinks

Servings 2

Equipment

2 Rocks glasses
Measuring cup
2 Small plates
Cocktail shaker (optional)

Ingredients

For Cinnamon Sugar Rim:

¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons maple syrup

For Margarita:

8 oz 1 cup Apple Cider (or more)
4 oz ½ cup Tequila
2 oz ¼ cup Triple sec
1 oz 2 tablespoons Fresh Lime Juice (about 1 lime)
½ cup or more Ice cubes
Apple slices and a cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Rim:

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Pour 1 tablespoon maple syrup onto a small plate.
Dip the rim of the glasses into the maple syrup, then into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat the rim.

Make Margarita:

Add ice cubes to the bottom of the rimmed glasses.
To each prepared glass, add 4 oz (6 tbsp) fresh apple cider, 2 oz (4 tbsp) blanco tequila, 1 oz (2 tbsp) orange liqueur, and ½ oz (1 tbsp) lime juice. Stir ingredients together in each glass until chilled, about 30 seconds.
Top off with additional ice if needed and garnish the glasses with fresh apple slices and cinnamon on the rim if desired.
Serve and enjoy your apple cider cocktail!

Notes

Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness to the rim and complements the tartness of the margarita. You can substitute it with brown sugar for a slightly different flavor, raw sugar, or powdered sugar for a smoother cinnamon-sugar mixture. You can also use a salt rim instead.

Ground Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon provides warmth and a delightful spice to the rim. It pairs really well with the apple cider. You can use ground nutmeg as a substitute for a different spice note.

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup helps the sugar and cinnamon to stick to the rim and also imparts a rich, maple flavor that complements the apple cider. You can use honey, agave syrup, simple syrup, or agave nectar as a substitute for a similar effect.

Triple Sec: Triple Sec is an orange liqueur that adds a citrusy sweetness and balances the tartness of the apple cider. You can replace it with Cointreau or Grand Marnier if they are available, or you can use orange juice for a non-alcoholic version.

Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice gives this cocktail a zesty and tart flavor and enhances the overall flavor profile. You can use bottled lime juice or lemon juice in a pinch, but fresh is preferable if you're in a pinch.

Ice Cubes: Ice cubes are essential for chilling the margarita and diluting it slightly, balancing the flavors. You can use crushed ice or larger ice cubes, depending on your preference.

Apple Slices (optional): Apple slices serve as a garnish and add a touch of visual appeal to the cocktail. They also reinforce the apple theme. Feel free to substitute with orange or lime slices for a different garnish.