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This apple cider margarita recipe will impress everyone! It’s tangy and balanced, with a cinnamon sugar rim.
Once fall rolls in, as two cocktail experts we have one drink you absolutely must make: the apple cider margarita! It’s spin on our margarita recipe, that ubiquitous classic cocktail from the 1930’s. This version adds sweet apple cider to the mix of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
The result? Fall bliss, in a sip! It comes out tangy and balanced, beautifully pairing the spicy notes of tequila and citrusy lime with the sweet cider. Top it off with a cinnamon sugar rim, and every sip is a delight. Alex and I have served this so many times to rave reviews. It’s the perfect signature fall cocktail or winter drink—and you can make the pitcher variation if you’re serving a crowd!
What type of apple cider to buy?
There are a few major types of apple cider you’ll find at the store that you can use in this margarita. Here’s what we prefer:
- Unfiltered vs filtered: Apple cider is sold unfiltered, which has the pulp and sediment, and filtered, which is basically like apple juice. For the best flavor and color for this drink, choose unfiltered! It works with filtered, but it doesn’t have quite the same balanced flavor.
- Pasteurized vs unpasteurized: Pasteurizing apple cider makes it more shelf stable. If it’s unpasteurized, it can turn into hard cider or apple cider vinegar over time, so you should drink it within 2 weeks. Unpasteurized cider has more risk of bacteria, so we recommend pasteurized.
How to make a cinnamon sugar rim
The best part of this apple cider margarita recipe? The cinnamon sugar rim! It gives a pop of sweetness to each sip, and a bit of texture on the edge of the glass. Here’s how to whip it up at home:
- Use a lime wedge to wet the wedge of the glass. Cut a notch in it, then run it around the edge of the glass. You can do a thicker band, like you see in the photos.
- Mix up a plate of cinnamon and sugar. You don’t even have to measure: any quantity will do.
- Place the outer edge of the glass in the sugar and rotate. Make sure the outer edge is evenly coated (not the inside).
Make a pitcher to serve a crowd
Serving a crowd? The best way to serve an apple cider margarita is as a pitcher! That way, you can spend 5 minutes making 8 drinks instead of one. You can prepare all the glasses with cinnamon sugar rims, then pour the drink into each (approximate 2/3 cup liquid per glass, plus ice!). Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Apple Cider Margarita
This apple cider margarita recipe will impress everyone! It’s tangy and balanced, with a cinnamon sugar rim.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces* tequila reposado or blanco
- 2 ounces apple cider
- ¾ ounce Triple Sec or Cointreau
- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
- Cinnamon and sugar, for the rim
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
- Star anise and cinnamon stick, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lime wedge, then run the lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of cinnamon and sugar.
- Single drink: Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Shake until cold. Strain the margarita into the glass with the sugar rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
- Pitcher (8 servings): Place 1 ½ cups tequila, 2 cups apple cider, ¾ cup Triple Sec or Cointreau, and ¾ cup lime juice in a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir until cold. Prepare the glasses separately, then add 2/3 cup to each glass and garnish with ice.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
More apple cider cocktails
A few more fall cocktails and apple cocktails that use cider: apple cider sangria is perfect for serving a crowd, or pair cider with prosecco to make an apple cider mimosa.
This apple cider bourbon cocktail highlights this natural flavor pairing, or try fireball and apple cider or apple cider and whiskey. If you’re looking for drinks that are simple for entertaining, try an apple cider mule or spiked apple cider.
We made this for Thanksgiving and it was an absolute hit! We used sparkling apple cider which really lightened it up. We will definitely be sipping this cocktail all winter long. Thanks for the great recipe!
Can I make the 8 servings of margaritas and refrigerate for hours then pour into glasses with small ice cubes.
Yes! But I wouldn’t store more than 24 hours as the flavor will get less zingy. For easy recipe, just change “ounces” to “cups” for 8x pitcher.
Love this recipe! So tasty any time of year, but especially after the holidays!
I am curious about an alternative for lime juice…making massive batches of this for a retail event, like 5 gallons…the little bottles of ‘real lime’ juice just isn’t going to cut it. Do you have any suggestion for an alternative on that scale? Was wondering about limeade concentrate…?
limeade is very sweet so it wouldn’t be a good option. I’ve heard good things about this “super juice” recipe, but I haven’t tried it: https://theeducatedbarfly.com/super-juice/
What kind of apple cider is recommended for this?
Any cider should work!
Can bottled lime juice be used or does it need to be fresh squeezed from limes? I plan to make multiple pitchers so a bottled lime juice seems easier.
Hi! It won’t taste as good as the real thing. If you use bottled, start with maybe 3/4 of the juice and add to taste so it doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors.
Hi! This looks delish. Can I use tequila blanco in place of reposado? I want to make a big batch for a party, and want to make sure I get all the flavors right. Thanks!
Yes! It will still be good. We enjoy the more complex flavor of the reposado with the cider but it’s not a huge difference.
Awesome, thanks so much for the quick response! I really enjoy your recipes.
Let us know if you have any questions!