Apple Cider Margarita

This apple cider margarita recipe will impress everyone! It’s tangy and balanced, with a cinnamon sugar rim.

Once apple cider season rolls around, there’s one cocktail you absolutely must make with it. This Apple Cider Margarita! It’s tangy and balanced: the zingy tequila and lime pairs beautifully with the sweet cider. Top it off with a cinnamon sugar rim, and every sip is a delight. Every margarita recipe we make is my favorite…until we make a new one. This one is ideal as a fall cocktail or winter drink: make the pitcher variation if you’re serving a crowd!

What’s in an apple cider margarita?

This apple cider margarita is a spin on the Classic Margarita, a simple classic cocktail from the 1930’s that’s stood the test of time. The ingredients in the classic? Tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau). This version stays true to the classic definition, simply adding in apple cider to the mix. Here’s what you’ll need for this apple cider margarita:

Tequila
Lime juice
Cointreau
Apple cider
Cinnamon and sugar, for the rim

What type of apple cider to buy?

There are a few major types of apple cider you’ll find at the store that you can use in this margarita. Here’s a breakdown and what we prefer:

Unfiltered vs filtered: Apple cider is sold unfiltered, which has the pulp and sediment, and filtered, which is basically like apple juice. For the best flavor and color for this drink, choose unfiltered! But it works with filtered as well.
Pasteurized vs unpasteurized: Pasteurizing apple cider makes it more shelf stable. If it’s unpasteurized, it can turn into hard cider or apple cider vinegar over time, so you should drink it within 2 weeks. Unpasteurized cider has more risk of bacteria, so we recommend pasteurized.

How to make a cinnamon sugar rim

The best part of this apple cider margarita recipe? The cinnamon sugar rim! It gives a pop of sweetness to each sip, and a bit of texture on the edge of the glass. Here’s how to whip it up at home:

Use a lime wedge to wet the wedge of the glass. Cut a notch in it, then run it around the edge of the glass. You can do a thicker band, like you see in the photos.
Mix up a plate of cinnamon and sugar. You don’t even have to measure: any quantity will do.
Place the outer edge of the glass in the sugar and rotate. Make sure the outer edge is evenly coated (not the inside).

Voila! Take one sip, and this drink is deliciously balanced between tangy lime, zingy tequila and sweet cinnamon sugar.

Make an apple cider margarita pitcher (8 servings)

Serving a crowd? The best way to serve an apple cider margarita is as a pitcher! That way, you can spend 5 minutes making 8 drinks instead of one. You can prepare all the glasses with cinnamon sugar rims, then pour the drink into each (approximate 2/3 cup liquid per glass, plus ice!). Here’s what to mix together:

1 ½ cups tequila
2 cups apple cider
¾ cup Triple Sec or Cointreau
¾ cup lime juice
3 handfuls ice

Add these ingredients to a pitcher, mix, and enjoy! The ice quantity is important for the dilution that would occur in a cocktail shaker. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

More apple cider cocktails

Love apple cider? Make all these fall cocktails and apple cocktails that use cider:

Try a sophisticated Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
Opt for Apple Cider Sangria
Go bubbly with a Apple Cider Mimosa
Try fan favorite Apple Cider Mule
Make a pot of Spiked Apple Cider