Easy Apple Cider Margarita {A Must-Make for Fall!}

    Apple Cider Margarita

    An apple cider margarita with ice, a cinnamon stick, and apple slice garnish in a rimmed glass, surrounded by limes and a liqueur bottle.

    Kick off cozy season with an Apple Cider Margarita! Whether you pair it with other fall favorites or make a pitcher for taco night, this easy apple cocktail is guaranteed to please.

    An apple cider margarita with ice, a cinnamon stick, and apple slice garnish in a rimmed glass, surrounded by limes and a liqueur bottle.

    Apple cider and margaritas are a match made in autumnal heaven.

    cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

    You know it’s fall when jugs of yummy, locally made apple cider start popping up at the grocery store. While I rarely purchase apple juice, I always pick up apple cider, because I adore the intensity of its pure, apple-icious flavor!

    In addition to sipping right from a glass, apple cider is a fantastic addition to cocktails like this apple cider margarita (and you can use the rest for Apple Cider Mimosas and this Apple Cider Cocktail!)

    • Like my Grapefruit Margarita and Watermelon Margarita, this apple cider margarita is all-caps EASY to make, and you don’t need eleventy-billion specialty liqueurs to mix it up. 
    • The flavor? On point! This cocktail truly is the ideal mix of apple cider coziness and margarita refreshment, with apple cider and maple syrup to bring the fall vibes, lime juice for marg vibes, and orange liqueur to join the two together in perfect harmony.
    • You can shake up a single margarita or make a pitcher for a party. I share options for both in the recipe card below.
    An apple cider margarita with ice, a cinnamon stick, and apple slice in a glass with a spiced rim; limes and a liquor bottle nearby.

    Key Ingredients

    You’ll find the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below, but here are some notes to keep in mind.

    • Tequila. I recommend using silver tequila which is un-aged; this means it has a crisp, clean flavor that doesn’t overshadow the apple cider.
    • Apple Cider. The kind that’s cloudy, the color of crunchy fall leaves, and refrigerated. If you’re feeling especially ambitious, make your own Apple Cider!
    • Maple Syrup. That’s pure maple syrup, friends, not breakfast syrup! Darker maple syrups have more intense maple flavor.
    • Orange Liqueur. Such as Cointreau. A classic addition to margaritas, but also an excellent complementary flavor to apple cider.
    • Lime Juice. Freshly squeezed is a must!
    • Garnishes. Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
    • For the Rim. If you’d like to do the optional rim, you’ll need sugar, cinnamon, flaky salt, and either maple syrup or a lime wedge to help the dry ingredients stick.

    How to Make an Apple Cider Margarita

    A small plate with salt, sugar, and cinnamon, next to whole limes and a glass of water on a gray surface.
    A hand dips a glass into a dish of cinnamon sugar salt with limes and a knife on a countertop nearby.
    A hand holds a jigger above a glass with a gold rim, surrounded by limes, a knife, and a container.
    A hand pours liquor into a glass with ice, surrounded by limes, apple cider, and a plate of cinnamon sugar.
    A hand holding a cocktail shaker with ice, surrounded by limes, a bottle, and a sugar-rimmed glass on a countertop.
    An apple cider margarita is being poured over ice into a glass with a spiced rim, surrounded by fresh lime halves.

    Rim the Glass. Mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt on a small plate. Brush the rim of a margarita glass with maple syrup or rub a lime wedge along the rim. (Be careful, because the cinnamon mixture will stick to every part that’s wet!) Then, dip the rim and add ice to the glass.

    Shake It. Add ice to a cocktail shaker (or jar if you don’t have a cocktail shaker), then pour in the tequila, apple cider, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Shake-shake-shake for 30 seconds.

    Finish. Pour the apple cider margarita into the prepared glass, garnish as desired, and ENJOY!

    What to Serve with Apple Cider Margaritas

    You can take this apple cider margarita recipe two ways: pair it with fall flavors or serve it with Mexican food. Here’s some inspiration.

    • Fall-Inspired Meals. Like Butternut Squash Pasta or Pork Chops With Apples.
    • Autumnal Party Food. Serve these apple cider margs with small bites like Pumpkin Goat Cheese Crostini or Cranberry Brie Bites.
    • Taco Night Faves. Cauliflower Tacos would be perfect, as would these Crockpot Chicken Tacos.
    An apple cider margarita with ice, a cinnamon stick, and apple slice garnish in a rimmed glass, surrounded by limes and a liqueur bottle.
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    Apple Cider Margarita

    Made with tequila, orange liqueur, maple syrup and lime juice, this easy apple cider margarita is the perfect mix of cozy and refreshing!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 223kcal
    Author Erin Clarke / Well Plated

    Ingredients

    For 1 Margarita:

    • 2 ounces silver tequila
    • 2 ounces apple cider look for some in the refrigerated section, not shelf stable
    • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
    • ½ ounce orange liqueur such as cointreau
    • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice 1 tablespoon, about ½ lime
    • Apple slices, cinnamon sticks, whole star anise for garnish

    For the Rim (optional):

    • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons flaky salt
    • Pure maple syrup or lime wedge

    Instructions

    • To rim the glass, on a small plate mix together the sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Brush the rim of the glass with pure maple syrup (or run a lime wedge around the outside to moisten it if you prefer a less sweet option). Dip into the cinnamon mixture to rim. Fill the glass with ice.
      A hand dips a glass into a dish of cinnamon sugar salt with limes and a knife on a countertop nearby.
    • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the tequila, apple cider, maple syrup, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds to combine, then strain into the prepared glass.
      A hand holding a cocktail shaker with ice, surrounded by limes, a bottle, and a sugar-rimmed glass on a countertop.
    • Garnish with apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and star anise as desired. Enjoy immediately.
      Two glasses of apple cider margarita with cinnamon sticks and apple slices, surrounded by limes and a bottle of Grand Marnier.

    Video

    Notes

    TO MAKE A PITCHER: Scale up the ingredients as needed. Add the tequila, apple cider, maple syrup, orange liqueur, and lime juice to a pitcher and stir until the maple syrup is dissolved. Chill for at least one hour, then pour into rimmed glasses with ice. Note that because this version isn’t shaken, it will be slightly stronger, but probably not noticeably so.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Potassium: 95mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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