Apple Cider Margarita

Enjoy the first flavors of fall with Apple Cider Margaritas. Made with only 4 ingredients and requiring hardly any prep time, they’re a must-try this season! Make a batch and cozy on up with your favorite blanket to enjoy the taste of autumn!

A quick and easy apple cider margarita recipe

With fall right around the corner, there is no better time to kick the apple recipes into high gear (I’m sure you’ve seen an autumn dish pop onto your Pinterest feed already!). This delicious apple cider margarita recipe comes to you tasting like autumn in a glass. Made with lots of lime juice and the addition of apple cider, it’s like a classic margarita with a seasonal twist! 

But don’t worry, if you are enjoying this apple cider margarita recipe in the heat of summer, it’s still going to be delicious. Completed with a salt and cinamon or cinnamon sugar rim, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with this drink at the first sip!

Ingredients in this apple cider fall cocktail

You will need only four main ingredients to make this apple cider margarita. We will also be using some additional flavorings for the rim and toppings!

• Blanco tequila: First, you will need 3 oz of blanco tequila. Reposado tequila (gold tequila) will work, but I find that blanco variations work best in this recipe.
• Triple sec: Next up is 1.5 oz of triple sec. Triple sec is an orange liqueur that adds a nice dash of tangy flavor to this margarita.
• Lime juice: Most margaritas are made with lime juice in some form, and this one is no different. You will need 1.5 oz of lime juice. You can use fresh lime juice or prepackaged.
• Apple cider: You can’t have an apple cider margarita without apple cider! For this recipe, you will need 8 oz. Any type of apple cider works just fine.
• Rim: To flavor the rim, use a mixture of either salt and ground cinnamon or sugar and cinnamon depending on your preference. 
• Topping: Finally, options for toppings or garnishes include apple slices and cinnamon sticks!

Bar tools needed to make this beverage

To make this sweet fall flavor-packed drink, you will need a few bar tools.

• Two glasses
• 1 oz and .5 oz measuring cups
• Bowl for preparing the rim ingredients
• Stirring utensil for the above
• Cocktail shaker

How to make this apple cider margarita

This recipe yields two servings, and the total time for prep is less than five minutes!

First, wet the rim of the glasses and then dip them in the salt and cinnamon or cinnamon-sugar mixture. Then, fill the glasses with ice.

In a cocktail shaker, add the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and apple cider. Optionally add ice to the shaker to make the drink extra cold.

Then, strain the mixture into the glasses. Top with the apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

How to prepare apple cider margaritas for a crowd

Preparing margaritas for a crowd? If so, multiplying this recipe is very easy. You’ll want to use a pitcher, as that will make it easier to combine all of the ingredients together. Below are the ingredient amounts that you will need for 8 servings.

• 1.5 cups blanco tequila
• 3/4 cup triple sec
• 3/4 cup lime juice
• 4 cups apple cider

What is the difference between apple juice and apple cider?

Though apple cider and apple juice are both made from — you guessed it — apples, apple juice is typically much more filtered than apple cider. It tends to be sweeter and has a lighter texture, whereas apple cider is less filtered and has a thicker texture and deeper flavor. 

What are some other garnish ideas?

Other garnish ideas include lime wedges, a sprig of rosemary, or even lime zest.

Does apple go with tequila?

The flavor of apples absolutely goes with tequila, and this drink is a perfect representation of that. In fact, you’ll find that the apple flavor also goes particularly well with citrus ingredients (like the lime and triple sec). 

Is there a lot of sugar in apple cider?

Apples have a lot of naturally occurring sugar, which means apple cider tends to have a decent sugar content as well. If aiming for a lower-sugar beverage, look for an apple cider that is made with less sugar.

If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!

In the mood to try out some more refreshing drink recipes? Here are some ideas to try! The Gold Rush Bourbon Cocktail is a personal fave.

• Gold Rush Bourbon Cocktail
• Salty Dog Cocktail
• Peach Margarita Recipe
• Limoncello Spritz

Photos by Moriah Sawtelle and recipe by Erin Antoniak.