Apple Cider Margarita
The Apple Cider Margarita is a fresh and flavorful margarita made with tequila, spiced apple cider, lime juice, and maple syrup for an exciting fall riff on the classic margarita!
Jump to RecipeThe Apple Cider Margarita
Growing up, my fondest memories during the fall time included going to the apple orchard, picking as many apples as my little bag would allow and begging my parents to let us get a gallon of apple cider before we left. To this day, I can still remember the taste of taking my first sip of apple cider, it was fresh, crisp and hard to have just one glass.
This Apple Cider Margarita is an ode to the fun fall activities, like apple picking and that feeling of taking your first sip of refreshing apple cider!
What’s Alcohol Goes Best with Apple Cider?
This is really up to your preference, but I have a few favorites that I can recommend. Apple cider is a really versatile drink with it’s warming spices and bright, crisp apple notes make it a great ingredient to mix with spirits like vodka or tequila. The sweet but slightly tart finish is forward but not too overpowering and mixes well with premium spirits.
If you prefer vodka, I recommend the Apple Cider Cocktail. But, if you’re a tequila lover like myself, then the Apple Cider Margarita is for you! Shake it up with your favorite tequila and a few other ingredients for the perfect happy hour libation. Cheers!
Ingredients for the Apple Cider Margarita
The Apple Cider Margarita is so easy to make and incredibly delicious! All you have to do is combine only four simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your kitchen. for a flavorful cocktail.
- Tequila: use this spirit as the base of this refreshing margarita. I prefer using blanco tequila. So, I used Espolon Blanco Tequila for the Apple Cider Margarita, but reposado tequila will work too in this marg.
- Spiced apple cider: you can pick up a bottle of this ingredient at your supermarket. If you can’t find spiced apple cider, I recommend buying unfiltered apple cider and adding a few sticks of cinnamon, some star anise, and a few cloves to it, then let it all infuse for 12-24 hours for optimal results.
- Lime juice: a splash of lime juice adds tart notes which balance well with the spices and of course you can’t have a margarita without a little lime, am I right?!
- Maple syrup: add a dash of this ingredient for the perfect amount of sweetness. If you prefer your drinks a little sweeter, feel free to add more.
- Apple slice, thyme, cinnamon stick: no cocktail is complete without a festive garnish. I used these ingredients for a simple but elegant touch
- Sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice: mix these spices in a shallow dish and rim your cocktail in the mixture for the final touch on this festive margarita.
How to Make the Apple Cider Margarita
Making the Apple Cider Margarita is as easy as picking apples. Seriously, it’s only a few steps and takes about 5 minutes to put together. First start by adding all the ingredients for the rim of your glass (sugar, salt, pumpkin pie spice) to a shallow dish and stir to combine them all together. Then, coat the rim of 2 cocktail glasses with the juice of a lime and submerge the glasses in the rim mixture.
Once your glasses are rimmed, fill the rimmed glass with fresh ice and set them aside. Add the tequila, spiced apple cider, lime juice and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until the outside of the shaker is chilled. Strain the mixture into prepared cocktail glasses. If desired, garnish the cocktails with an apple slice, thyme sprig and cinnamon stick. Voila! You have two cocktails ready to be sipped!
More Vodka Based Cocktail To Make
And if you’re interested in learning more about how we take our photos, check out my free video about how to get started with food photography on a budget (a $20 budget to be exact)!
If you aren’t already, definitely follow me on Instagram and Facebook, to make sure you never miss a recipe, get tons of behind-the-scenes pics of everything I’m shaking up, shooting, and enjoying!
Apple Cider Margarita
Equipment
Ingredients
For the rim:
- ½ tsp sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
For the cocktail
- 3 oz tequila
- 3 oz spiced apple cider
- 1½ oz lime juice
- 1 oz maple syrup
- Garnish: apple slice, thyme, cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add all rim ingredients to a shallow dish and combine. Coat the rim of 2 cocktail glasses with lime juice and submerge in the mixture. Fill with ice and set aside.
- Add tequila, spiced apple cider, lime juice and maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into prepared cocktail glasses. If desired, garnish with an apple slice, thyme sprig and cinnamon stick.
