Apple Cider Margarita: A Fall Twist on a Classic

I thought I was a margarita purist, and then someone dared me to try an apple cider version—what a rebel! Initially, I was skeptical and imagined it tasting like a fruit salad gone rogue. But lo and behold, my taste buds threw a party and invited all their friends! This cheeky concoction has sneaked its way into my top cocktail favorites of the season. So listen up, dear friends, put your faith in this autumnal adventure, trust the mixologist, and dive into the cider madness—I promise you’ll love it as much as I do, or at the very least, get a solid chuckle out of it!

Here is what you will need:

2 oz good quality tequila
4 oz of fresh (as you can get) apple cider
1/2 oz of fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 oz of fresh squeezed orange juice
1 -2 tbsp of maple syrup depending on how sweet you like your margaritas

For the rim:

Equal parts cinnamon and sugar
sprinkle of flakey salt
lime wedge to moisten the rim of the glass

For the garnish:

Thin apple slices
Cinnamon sticks

Here is how to make it:

Prepare the Rim: On a small, shallow plate, mix together the sugar, salt and cinnamon. Run a lime wedge around the rim of each glass to moisten it, then dip the rim into the cinnamon-sugar mixture to coat evenly.

Mix the Cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add the tequila, apple cider, fresh lime juice, orange juice and maple syrup.

Shake: Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until the shaker is thoroughly chilled and frosty on the outside.

Serve: Strain the mixture from the shaker into the glasses.

Garnish: Garnish each drink with a few thin apple slices and a cinnamon stick and serve immediately.

Tips and Variations

Spices: Do not add ground spices directly to the liquid, as they won’t mix well and will settle at the bottom. The spiced rim provides the desired warm flavor with every sip.

Sweetness: Taste the mixture before straining. If you prefer a sweeter margarita, add extra maple syrup to the shaker before shaking.

Pitcher: For a large batch (8 servings), combine 24 oz apple cider, 16 oz tequila, 4 oz lime juice, 4 oz orange juice and the maple syrup in a large pitcher and stir well. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve over ice in pre-rimmed glasses.

I hope this inspires you to be creative in your kitchen – Enjoy!