Get ready to embrace the cozy flavors of fall with these Festive Apple Cider Margaritas! This delicious cocktail is a fantastic twist on the classic margarita, blending the warmth of apple cider with tangy lime, smooth reposado tequila, and a hint of orange liqueur. I love making these as soon as the weather starts to cool down – they’re perfect for Thanksgiving, holiday parties, or just a chilly evening. The cinnamon-sugar rim adds an extra touch of fall flair that makes this drink truly special.
Why You’ll Love These Apple Cider Margaritas
- Perfect Fall Flavors: The combination of apple cider, cinnamon, and tequila is warm, festive, and perfect for autumn.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and classic cocktail techniques.
- Unique Margarita Twist: A fun and flavorful alternative to the traditional lime margarita.
- Festive Presentation: The cinnamon-sugar rim and optional garnishes make this a beautiful cocktail for parties.
- Balanced Flavor: It strikes a lovely balance between sweet, tart, and warming flavors.
Ingredients for Apple Cider Margaritas
Here’s what you’ll need to make this festive fall cocktail. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Rimming the Glass
- Ground cinnamon (Spice)
- Granulated sugar (Sweetener)
- Lime wedge (Fruit)
Margaritas
- Reposado tequila (Liquor)
- Apple cider (Juice)
- Orange liqueur (Liqueur)
- Lime juice (Acid)
- Ice (Ice)
Optional Garnishes
- Lime wheels (Fruit)
- Apple slices (Fruit)
- Star anise (Spice)
- Cinnamon sticks (Spice)
- Rosemary sprig (Herb)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love these Apple Cider Margaritas as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Tequila: Use blanco tequila for a lighter flavor or añejo for a smokier, more complex taste.
- Make it Spicy: Add a thin slice of jalapeño to the shaker or use a spicy cinnamon sugar for the rim.
- Add Maple Syrup: Substitute maple syrup for some or all of the sweetness implicit in the cider/liqueur, or add a touch for extra depth.
- Sparkling Apple Cider: Use sparkling apple cider for an extra bubbly version.
- Salt Rim: Use a classic salt rim or a spiced salt rim instead of cinnamon sugar.
How to Make Apple Cider Margaritas
Let me show you how easy it is to make these festive Apple Cider Margaritas:
Prepare the Glass Rim
- First, I prepare the festive rim. I stir together the ground cinnamon and granulated sugar on a small plate.
- I rub a lime wedge around the rims of 2 glasses.
- Then, I dip the moistened rims into the cinnamon and sugar mixture to coat them evenly.
- I fill the prepared glasses with ice.
Mix the Margarita
- I pour the reposado tequila, apple cider, orange liqueur, and lime juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- I cover the shaker tightly.
- I shake vigorously
Strain and Serve
- I strain the mixture into the prepared glasses over the fresh ice.
- I garnish, if desired, with lime wheels, apple slices, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and/or a rosemary sprig.
- Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Fall Margarita
Here are my secrets for making this cocktail truly exceptional:
- Use Quality Apple Cider: Look for a good quality, unfiltered apple cider for the best flavor.
- Reposado Tequila: Reposado tequila, aged briefly in oak barrels, complements the warm fall flavors beautifully.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Always use freshly squeezed lime juice for the brightest taste.
- Shake Well: Shaking vigorously chills the margarita properly and blends the flavors.
- Don’t Skip the Rim: The cinnamon-sugar rim adds a wonderful aroma and enhances the fall theme.
How to Serve
This Apple Cider Margarita is perfect for:
- Fall Gatherings: A festive signature cocktail for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any autumn party.
- Holiday Parties: A unique and flavorful drink option for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
- Cocktail Hour: A cozy and sophisticated drink for a fall evening.
- Après-Ski (or Après-Leaf-Peeping!): A warming and flavorful treat.
Serve immediately in the prepared, rimmed glasses.
Make Ahead and Storage
While best made fresh, you can mix the tequila, cider, orange liqueur, and lime juice ahead of time and store the mixture in the refrigerator. Shake with ice just before serving.
FAQs about Apple Cider Margaritas
- Can I use a different type of alcohol?
- While tequila is classic for a margarita, bourbon or spiced rum could also work well with these fall flavors.
- What is orange liqueur?
- Orange liqueur adds sweetness and orange flavor. Common brands include Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier.
- Can I make a large batch?
- Yes, you can easily multiply the ingredients (except ice) and mix them in a pitcher. Pour over ice in individual rimmed glasses just before serving.
Enjoy this festive, flavorful, and easy-to-make Apple Cider Margarita! It’s a perfect cocktail for celebrating the fall season.
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Festive Apple Cider Margaritas
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Fall, Holiday
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Description
This Apple Cider Margarita is a festive fall twist on the classic cocktail. It combines the warmth of apple cider with tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice, served in a glass with a delightful cinnamon-sugar rim.
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Sugar Rim:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 lime wedge
For the Margaritas (Makes 2):
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) reposado tequila (100% agave recommended)
- 8 ounces (1 cup) apple cider
- 2 ounces (1/4 cup) orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
- Ice cubes
Optional Garnishes:
- Lime wheels
- Thin apple slices
- Star anise pods
- Cinnamon sticks
- Fresh rosemary sprig
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Rim: On a small plate, stir together the ground cinnamon and granulated sugar until well combined.
- Rim Glasses: Run the lime wedge around the rims of two margarita glasses (or other cocktail glasses). Dip the moistened rims into the cinnamon-sugar mixture, rotating the glasses to coat the rims evenly.
- Fill Glasses with Ice: Fill the prepared glasses with ice cubes.
- Combine Margarita Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the reposado tequila, apple cider, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
- Shake: Secure the lid tightly on the cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the margarita mixture from the shaker evenly into the two prepared glasses filled with ice.
- Garnish (Optional): Garnish each margarita with a lime wheel, apple slice, star anise pod, cinnamon stick, or a fresh rosemary sprig, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Tequila: Reposado tequila, which is aged briefly, adds a smooth complexity that pairs well with apple cider. You can substitute blanco tequila if preferred. Use 100% agave tequila for the best quality.
- Apple Cider: Use a good quality apple cider (not sparkling cider unless you want extra fizz and less intense apple flavor).
- Orange Liqueur: Cointreau, Triple Sec, or Grand Marnier are common choices.
- Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for the authentic margarita taste.
- Sweetness: This margarita gets its sweetness from the apple cider and orange liqueur. If you prefer a sweeter drink, you can add a small amount (1/4 – 1/2 ounce) of simple syrup or agave nectar to the shaker.
- Serving: Margarita glasses are traditional, but rocks glasses or other cocktail glasses work well too.