Add some fall flavor to your life with an apple cider margarita! It’s an easy four ingredient fall margarita you can mix up in minutes.
Make just one for a fun indulgence, or a make a pitcher for a crowd.
You’ll get the deliciously fragrant warmth of apple cider, shaken with tequila, lime and simple syrup. This combination turns a classic margarita into your favorite fall sip!
This is a fabulous update on my famous margarita with a fall twist. This Apple Cider Margarita is a taste of fall and is the perfect sip for bonfires, Thanksgiving, and to accompany all of your favorite Mexican eats!
Making your own margarita mix is so easy and SO amazing! It’s fresh and flavorful without the bitter taste. Once you have a sip, you’ll never use a store-bought sweet and sour mix again!
Come fall, I crave apple everything (you can find all of my favorite Apple Recipes here!) – even in margaritas! It’s a fun fall twist you can’t resist! A hint of warm spices, apple flavor, a touch of lime and your favorite tequila sweetened with a hint of simple syrup.
Love margaritas as much as we do? Don’t miss the best margarita recipes!
Apple Cider Margaritas
Why You’ll Love It
Ingredients and Substitutions
See printable recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.
- Apple Cider – Homemade or store-bought.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed or 100% real lime juice.
- Tequila – Use your favorite tequila!
- Simple Syrup – A blend of sugar and salt sweetens this cocktail. You can substitute agave, honey or maple syrup if you prefer.
Variations
- Make a Pear Cider Margarita simply substituting apple for pear.
- Add a hint of citrus flavor by adding one ounce of orange liqueur. Cointreau and triple sec both work well. (Read about my Cadillac Margarita for more on this technique!)
- Add smoky flavor by lighting the cinnamon stick on fire just before serving.
- Substitute cinnamon sugar rim with apple pie spice and sugar.
- Substitute simple syrup with Caramel Sauce for a hint of caramel apple flavor.
How to Make
- Rim the Glass – Run a lime wedge over the top of the glass or dip in a shallow plate of simple syrup. Combine cinnamon sugar and salt on a shallow plate and dip!
- Fill with Ice – Fill your cup to the brim with cubed or crushed ice.
- Shake and Pour – Combine cider, lime juice, tequila and simple syrup. Shake, pour, garnish and serve!
How to Make Simple Syrup
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine a half cup of water and a half cup of granulated sugar.
- Stir until sugar is dissolved, allow to cool or add ice to cool before mixing into your fall cocktail.
Tips
- Make it With Crushed Ice – Crushed ice chills it quickly white reducing the tart flavor, balancing the cocktail.
- Use Quality Tequila –The tequila you choose can enhance or detract from margaritas. Learn more in our guide on tequila.
- Serve a Crowd -It’s easy to double or triple this recipe – just use the yield tab in the printable recipe card to multiply ingredients!
Learn how to set up a Margarita Bar for the ultimate fiesta! Guests can serve themselves and customize each cocktail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple cider is generally unpasteurized, with more of a fresh, less filtered taste. Because of this, apple cider is considered more seasonal, which is reflected in its availability in stores.
Apple juice is shelf stable because it is pasteurized. It’s also a little sweeter and smoother (with less texture) than apple cider.
Yes, you can! Simply combine the ingredients (with as much ice as you’d like) in your blender for a frozen, frothy apple cider margarita!
How to Store
- Refrigerate – Store in a sealed jar up to 1 week refrigerated.
- Freeze – Store in an airtight container and freeze up to three months.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free – Use 100% Agave Tequila
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
Apple Cider Margarita
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces tequila
- 1½ ounces apple cider
- 1 tablespoon lime juice ½ ounce or ½ lime, juiced
- 1 teaspoon simple syrup
Optional Garnish
- cinnamon stick
- star of anise
Instructions
- Rim the glass by running a lime wedge over the lip or dipping onto a shallow plate of simple syrup. On a separate shallow plate, combine cinnamon, sugar and salt. Dip glass.
- Fill glass with ice.
- In a cocktail shaker or jar, combine tequila, cider, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake well.
- Garnish and serve.
Tips
Note that 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
Variations
- Substitute Apple Cider with Pear Cider
- Add 1 ounce of Cointreau or Triple Sec
- Light the cinnamon stick on fire just before serving
- Substitute cinnamon with apple pie spice
- Substitute simple syrup with Caramel Sauce
How to Make Simple Syrup
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine a half cup of water and a half cup of granulated sugar.
- Stir until sugar is dissolved, allow to cool or add ice to cool before mixing into your fall cocktail.
To Store
- Refrigerate – Store in a sealed jar up to 1 week refrigerated.
- Freeze – Store in an airtight container and freeze up to 3 months.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
