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    Home > Recipes > Drinks > Cocktails

    Apple Cider Margarita

    Published: Sep 23, 2021 · Updated: Dec 18, 2021 · by Veronika Sykorova · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    3.2K shares
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 4 reviews
    A margarita being poured into a short glass with a gold rim on a dark wooden background.

    With this Apple Cider Margarita, you get the best of both worlds. A refreshing tequila cocktail and all the best fall flavors in one drink. It comes together in minutes and it's perfect for the holiday season!

    A cocktail in a short glass with a gold rim garnished with a lime slice on a dark wooden background.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients and Substitutes
    • Instructions
    • How to Make It Non-Alcoholic
    • FAQs
    • Similar Drinks You Might Enjoy
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why This Recipe Works

    • This drink is your regular margarita with a fancy fall upgrade. It has all your usual ingredients like lime juice and Cointreau, but with the addition of apple cider. I like to go over the top and add fall spices like cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg to give it apple pie flavor. You don't have to but I highly recommend it, it's so delicious!
    • Even though there are more ingredients than in a regular margarita, it's still super easy to make. You just add everything to a cocktail shaker and pour over ice.
    A cocktail in a short glass with a gold rim garnished with a lime slice on a dark wooden background.

    Ingredients and Substitutes

    • Apple Cider

    This is what makes this recipe special and so different. Make sure you're using apple cider, not apple cider vinegar. I get my apple cider at the farmer's market but you can get it in most grocer stores too, it might just be pasteurized. Apple juice tastes different, it's more tart, but you can use it as a substitution if you really can't find apple cider.

    • Tequila

    I like using silver (Blanco) tequila in my margaritas but you can use gold if you prefer. The sweetness of gold tequila could go really well with the flavors in the recipe! I only have silver so that's what I use, don't go out to buy a specific tequila only for this recipe! Silver tequila is more versatile in the long run.

    What brand of Tequila should I use?

    As with any cocktails, don't get anything too expensive since you're not drinking it straight but I wouldn't go too cheap either. My favorite brand is el Jimador. The brand of tequila you use can greatly change the flavor of your drink, some are smoother, some spicier. I like el Jimador because it's smooth and less hard than others.

    • Cointreau

    This is an orange liqueur. You can use any orange liqueur you have, Triple Sec is also a great option.

    • Lime Juice

    A classic margarita uses fresh lime juice which is what I normally use. Only use the bottled stuff when absolutely necessary, it really makes a difference.

    • Orange bitters

    Bitters are a spirit infused with different fruits, herbs, or spices. Some bitters might be non-alcoholic too, just check your labels. You don't need much of this. Use it as you would vanilla extract in baking, you only need a dash or two per drink.

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    • Maple Syrup

    Classic margarita uses simple syrup but I like using maple syrup because it's easier, I don't have to make any syrups, and because I really like the deep maple flavor in this drink. I always use the darkest maple syrup I can find for a strong flavor.

    Ingredients for apple cider margarita being laid out on a light metal background.

    Instructions

    Prep your glass - This step is optional but I like to add cinnamon sugar around the rim of the glass before making the drink. You can do this by running a lime wedge around the edge of the glass and dipping it in a mixture of turbinado sugar and cinnamon. I like turbinado because the crystals are large and don't clump up together as brown sugar does.

    Add ice and lime round to your glass and set aside. Make sure you're doing this only when you already have all the ingredients for the margarita already out ready to go so your ice in the glass doesn't melt.

    A margarita being poured into a short glass with a gold rim on a dark wooden background.

    Shake it up - The instructions are super simple. As with any other cocktail, you just add all your ingredients to a cocktail shaker or a mason jar with a handful of ice cubes, close it, and shake for 5-10 seconds until the shaker is very cold to touch.

    Ready to serve - Pour your shaken drink into the glass with ice you prepped earlier and enjoy right away.

    How to Make It Non-Alcoholic

    For a non-alcoholic version, I use only apple cider, maple syrup, lime juice, and orange bitters. Always read the label of your bitters as most do contain a small amount of alcohol.

    To make the drink more fun, I top it with sparkling water or a soda of some kind. My favorite is cranberry-flavored sugar-free soda.

    A margarita being poured into a short glass with a gold rim on a dark wooden background.

    FAQs

    Can I make it non-alcoholic?

    Yes! Just skip the tequila and Cointreau, and top up the drink with soda.

    What's in a classic margarita?

    A classic margarita has tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. This recipe is special because it includes apple cider!

    Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

    They have very different flavors so I don't recommend it unless totally necessary.

    Can this be made in a pitcher?

    Totally! Keep in mind though that the spices might get stronger as the cocktail sits since you're adding ground spices. You will have to stir it up every so often so that the spices don't settle. You can use a whole stick or two of cinnamon for a pitcher instead.

    A cocktail in a short glass with a gold rim garnished with a lime slice on a dark wooden background.

    Similar Drinks You Might Enjoy

    • Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail
    • Spiced Rum Apple Cider Cocktail
    • Cranberry Orange Margarita
    • Pomegranate Margarita
    Print

    📖 Recipe

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    A cocktail in a short glass with a gold rim garnished with a lime slice on a dark wooden background.

    Apple Cider Margarita

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
    • Author: Veronika | thehealthfulideas
    • Prep Time: 5 mins
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 1 1x
    • Category: Cocktail
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: Mexican
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    A refreshing tequila cocktail with all the fall flavors. There are warming spices, tangy lime juice, and silver tequila. It's the perfect drink for the holiday season.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale

    Cinnamon sugar rim

    • 1 tbsp turbinado sugar
    • ¼ tsp cinnamon
    • A lime wedge

    Margarita

    • 1.5 oz silver tequila
    • 0.5 oz Cointreau
    • 0.5 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 2 oz apple cider
    • 0.25 oz maple syrup (or to taste - I add 1-2 tsp)
    • Dash cinnamon (a light sprinkle)
    • 1-2 dashes orange bitters
    • Ice cubes
    • Optional garnish: apple and lime slices

    Instructions

    Cinnamon sugar rim

    1. Combine the turbinado sugar and cinnamon on a small plate. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip it in the sugar. Set aside.

    Margarita

    1. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add a handful of ice, and shake for 10-15 seconds until it’s very cold to touch. 
    2. Pour into a short glass over ice, garnish with an apple and lime slice, and enjoy!

    Notes

    Spices - You use apple pie spice or just plain cinnamon, whichever you prefer.

    Storing - Drinks like this don’t store well. I recommend making it right before serving.

    Cocktail shaker: If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a large mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.

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    Did you make this recipe?

    Comment and rate the recipe below and tag @thehealthfulideas on Instagram with the hashtag #thehealthfulideas, I'd love to see what you made!

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    3.2K shares

    Comments

    1. Stephanie Honikel says

      September 27, 2021 at 11:39 pm

      I went straight to the non-alcoholic version. Just not a huge fan of hard liquor, so I will most definitely give the virgin version a try ;) Thank you for sharing this recipe! Cheers!!!

      Reply
    2. Andrea Krey says

      September 28, 2021 at 9:55 am

      You got me excited to try this apple cider margarita recipe tonight. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
    3. Tiffany says

      September 28, 2021 at 10:21 am

      Yet another delicious recipe to add to my list!!

      Reply
    4. Nina says

      September 30, 2021 at 4:16 pm

      This drink recipe is right up my ally because I love tequila but I'm also ready for fall recipes. Can't wait to give this one a try this weekend!

      Reply
    5. Christie Adams says

      September 30, 2021 at 10:00 pm

      This looks amazing and perfect for fall!! I will give it a try!

      Reply
    6. Jamie says

      November 17, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      How much maple syrup? I didn’t see it in the recipe

      Reply
      • Veronika | thehealthfulideas says

        November 17, 2021 at 5:39 pm

        I totally missed that, sorry about the confusion. I add 1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon, depending on how sweet you like your margarita. The apple cider also adds some sweetness.

        Reply
    7. Peter B says

      December 26, 2021 at 10:07 am

      I add salt to the cinnamon, sugar mix when rimming the glass.
      Dress up the cocktail for the holidays with a sprig of rosemary and a cinnamon stick! Consider tossing in a splash of gin, rum or bourbon. =)

      Reply

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    Welcome!

    I'm Veronika and The Healthful Ideas where I share original plant-based recipes for every day cooking and popular classics with a healthy twist.

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    A photo of a young woman in a white and red striped shirt with a white backround.

    Welcome!

    I'm Veronika and The Healthful Ideas where I share original plant-based recipes for every day cooking and popular classics with a healthy twist.

    More about me

    Latest Recipes

    • A matcha latte with cold foam on top dusted with matcha for garnish and a glass straw.
      Iced Vanilla Matcha Latte
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      Birthday Cake Pancakes
    • Bright orange popsicles on a white serving platter with ice, fresh passion fruit, and lime slices.
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