Apple Cider Margarita
This vibrant apple cider margarita is a shining symbol of iconic fall flavors. All you need is tequila, Grand Marnier, and apple cider to bring this sweet and tangy cocktail recipe to life.
These apple cider margaritas are a family favorite. The taste is amazing and simply screams fall time. It’s also easy to make with only three ingredients and will surely become a necessity at your holiday or Thanksgiving party.
There are many things to enjoy about Autumn: the kiddos are back in school, the weather is cooling off, it’s a great time to peep at beautiful foliage and you can even go apple or pumpkin picking.
Here in New England, we love those things just as much as the next person, but for most people around here, they love Autumn because that’s when you can consume as much fresh apple cider as you want.
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Helpful tips
- Use the freshest apple cider you can get; make sure there are no additives and that the ingredients are just apples. I always buy from a local orchard.
- You don’t need to use premium alcohol in this cocktail because you probably won’t be able to taste the difference but even so, I always do.
- I use blanco tequila in this recipe, but you can use anejo or reposado tequila if you want.
- If you don’t have Grand Marnier, you can substitute orange liqueur, Cointreau for it to stay premium or substitute triple sec for it as the more budget friendly alternative.
- Cut the apples across the equator as thin as you can. You will add the fresh apple slices to the margarita as garnish.
- There are many ways you can garnish this cocktail: apple wheels, apple slices, apple chunks, cinnamon stick, and lime wedge to name just a few.
- You don’t need to rim the glass with cinnamon and sugar. Although it makes the cocktail pretty and more festive.
- If you are going to add cinnamon and sugar to the rim of the glasses, add 1/4 teaspoon of sugar and 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon to a small mixing bowl and mix until combined. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on a flat plate, wet the rim of the glass with apple cider and dip each glass, rim side down to coat them. Shake off the excess and set the glasses aside.
- I don’t use fresh lime juice or a sweetener like simple syrup or maple syrup in this cocktail because the apple cider is sweet enough.
How to make the apple cider margarita
Pre-step
Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with ice and get your measuring glass and glassware.
After measuring out the ingredients, pour them into the shaker.
*If you are going to add cinnamon and sugar to the rim of the glasses, add 1/4 teaspoon of sugar and 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon to a small mixing bowl and mix until combined. Sprinkle it on a flat plate, wet the rim of the glass with apple cider and place each glass, rim side down to coat them. Shake off the excess and set the glasses aside.*
Step one
Gather the ingredients: Apple cider, tequila and orange liqueur.
Step two
Measure out 4 ounces of tequila.
Step two
Measure out 2 ounces of Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur.
Step three
Measure out 8 ounces of apple cider.
Step four
Cut thin wheels out of the apple (through the equator).
Step five
Add a few big ice cubes to the glasses.
Cap the cocktail shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds. Strain and divide the apple cider marg between the two glasses. Make sure not to pour the margarita over the cinnamon sugar rim as you don’t want it to fall into the margarita. Add the ice cubes from the shaker to the drink as well.
Step six
Place apple slice in the glasses.
Let’s look at the vertical view.
Mustn’t play favorites with the glasses.
I hope you enjoyed this apple cider margarita recipe!
Please leave me a comment. What’s your favorite apple cider cocktail?
Other apple cider cocktails
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Apple Cider Margarita
Ingredients
- 4 ounces tequila (I used Patron Silver)
- 2 ounces Grand Marnier (or Cointreau, or triple sec)
- 8 ounces apple cider
Garnish
- 2 slices apples (wheels, cut through the equator of the middle of apple)
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional – to rim glass)
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon (optional – to rim glass)
Instructions
- If you are going to rim the glasses with cinnamon and sugar, add the two ingredients to a small mixing bowl and mix until combined then sprinkle on a flat plate. Wet rim of glasses with apple cider and place rim side down into the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Shake off excess and set glasses aside.1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add tequila, Grand Marnier and apple cider4 ounces tequila, 2 ounces Grand Marnier, 8 ounces apple cider
- Add fresh big cubes to glasses, cap shaker and shake for at least 20 seconds
- Strain contents between the two glasses and distribute the shaker’s cubes between the two glasses
- Add apple wheels to the cocktail2 slices apples
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- Use the freshest apple cider you can get; make sure there are no additives and that the ingredients are just apples. I always buy from a local orchard.
- You don’t need to use premium alcohol in this cocktail because you probably won’t be able to taste the difference but even so, I always do.
- I use blanco tequila in this recipe, but you can use anejo or reposado tequila if you want.
- If you don’t have Grand Marnier, you can substitute orange liqueur, Cointreau for it to stay premium or substitute triple sec for it as the more budget friendly alternative.
- Cut the apples across the equator as thin as you can. You will add the fresh apple slices to the margarita as garnish.
- There are many ways you can garnish this cocktail: apple wheels, apple slices, apple chunks, cinnamon stick, and lime wedge to name just a few.
- You don’t need to rim the glass with cinnamon and sugar. Although it makes the cocktail pretty and more festive.
- If you are going to add cinnamon and sugar to the rim of the glasses, add 1/4 teaspoon of sugar and 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon to a small mixing bowl and mix until combined. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on a flat plate, wet the rim of the glass with apple cider and dip each glass, rim side down to coat them. Shake off the excess and set the glasses aside.
- I don’t use fresh lime juice or a sweetener like simple syrup or maple syrup in this cocktail because the apple cider is sweet enough.
Nutrition
From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to crafting delightful dishes and cocktails, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted cocktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.
This looks like a beautiful and fun fall cocktail. I hadn’t really thought about apples and tequila, but I want to give this a try!
Ben, they are yummy together, but you have to like apple cider. BTW congrats on joining blog tutor!
I’ve had apple martinis but an apple margarita is definitely more my style! Can’t wait to give t his a try!
Thanks Lauren! It’s quite yummy!
What a great way to bring fall flavors into a typical summer classic cocktail. Love this!
Thanks Marlynn! I can go for a margarita all year round! 🙂
Any kind of margarita works for me! These are perfect for the season.
Woohoo! Thanks Urvashee!
We got apple cider in our CSA this week. Now I know what I am using it for! Great recipe.
Thanks Jen! 🙂
I love apple cider. And I love margarita’s. So why does the thought of this cocktail not excite me? Only one way to find out. “Bartender?! One apple cider margarita, please.” Interesting take on the traditional margarita.
You will love it, trust me Christopher!
Wow! I cannot wait to try this! I’m a huge margarita fan. Sending it to my girlfriend, too! She and her husband taught me their perfect recipe, which I now use, so they’ll love this.
Thanks so much Mimi! I’m a huge margarita fan too!