Apple Cider Margaritas are the perfect festive fall cocktail! Made with tequila, autumn harvest cider, and warm spices, it’s a crowd-pleasing drink!

I love living in Connecticut and getting spoiled with so much delicious, seasonal produce. In the spring we have tons of fresh veggies and herbs, in the summer we have the most delicious berries in the world, and in the fall we have APPLES! New England apples are the best in the world. No, I have not tried every apple in the world, but I stand by this statement!

Going apple picking was one of my favorite fall activities growing up, even more so than going to fall fairs or the pumpkin patch. There is really nothing like picking a sun-ripened apple fresh off the tree, taking a huge bite of crisp, tart flavor. My personal favorite is Macoun apples – I love them crunchy, just a bit tart, and not too sweet.

Of course, having so many amazing orchards here in Connecticut, we also get a ton of delicious local apple cider. I was able to walk with Ivy to my local farmstand and get a bottle of apple cider made just a few miles from us, from apples grown in our state. What a treat! Fresh apple cider is a MUST for these Apple Cider Margaritas – it’s a main ingredient, so quality matters! And be sure not to skip the cinnamon brown sugar rim, it really takes these margaritas to the next level! Enjoy!

Apple Cider Margaritas Recipe FAQs

Can you make these into spiced apple cider margaritas?

Absolutely! You can either buy spiced apple cider, or you can add in apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice to the cocktail shaker. I’d add a pinch, maybe about 1/8 tsp.

Can you make an apple cider margarita with pear juice?

Sure! Pear margaritas are delicious!

What is the best alcohol to add to apple cider?

When I just want to simply spike my apple cider with something, I almost always go for cinnamon-flavored whiskey, like Fireball. (Word of warning though – this combination can be very easy to overdo because it’s so drinkable!) But since this is an Apple Cider Margarita recipe, we use tequila!

How to make a Caramel Apple Cider Margarita?

Instead of using maple syrup, add in caramel syrup for the sweetener in the cocktail instead!

What are some other simple margarita recipes?

Try my Strawberry Basil Margaritas, or my Heirloom Tomato Margaritas! They’re both fantastic.

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Apple Cider Margaritas

Apple Cider Margaritas are the perfect festive fall cocktail! Made with autumn harvest cider and warm spices, it's a crowd-pleasing drink!

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Ingredients

Apple Cider Margaritas

• 3 oz Tequila
• 4 oz Apple Cider
• 1/2 oz Maple Syrup
• 1/2 oz Fresh-Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz Orange Liqueur such as Cointreau
• Pinch Cinnamon

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Rims

• Brown Sugar
• Cinnamon
• Course Sea Salt optional

Optional Garnishes

• Dried Apple Chips
• Cinnamon Sticks

Instructions

• Start by prepping your brown sugar cinnamon for the glass rims (if desired). Sprinkle a thin layer of brown sugar, cinnamon, and coarse sea salt (optional) onto a plate. Using a lemon wedge, wet the rims of your cocktail glasses, then gently press into the plate of sugar until the rims are coated.
• To a cocktail shaker, add all of the margarita ingredients. Shake with ice for at least 15 seconds, until shaker is ice cold.
• Add ice to your cocktail glasses up until the brim. Pour in your Apple Cider Margaritas, and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
• Enjoy!

Notes

I highly recommend using a cocktail jigger to measure the ingredients. However, if you don’t have one, here are the liquid conversions:

• • 1 oz = approx. 2 tablespoons
  • 1 1/2 oz = approx. 3 tablespoons
  • 2 oz = 1/4 cup
  • 3 oz = approx. 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon

P.S.

For more plant-forward recipes and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!