Apple Cider Margaritas are simple to make and let me tell you, they are even easier to sip! Serve this easy fall margarita for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas or as a New Years Eve sipper. This recipe is next level and is easy to batch make for a fun and festive holiday party. It delivers big flavor without complicated steps.
Apple cider adds natural sweetness. Lime adds acidity. Tequila gives strength. Orange ties everything together. The sugar, cinnamon, and salt rim adds texture and warmth. This margarita hits all the flavor notes you expect from a seasonal drink, and it is easy to batch for parties.
In This Post
Heather’s Notes
• Fresh cider and lime create a balanced drink with clean flavor.
• Tequila blanco keeps the drink bright.
• The cinnamon sugar salt rim gives contrast and a light crunch.
• The recipe works for single servings or batches for guests.
• Garnishes add aroma and a polished finish.
Ingredients to Make an Apple Cider Margarita
Only a few ingredients and lots of possibilities!
- Apple Cider or Apple Juice – use fresh apple cider or a bottle of apple cider to make this apple cider margarita recipe
- Tequila – I prefer a white aged tequila, but any type of tequila will work with this recipe
- Simple Syrup – or agave nectar for a little sweetness
- Fresh Lime Juice – from 1 lime
- Orange Juice or orange liqueur – fresh orange juice or bottled or conversely you can add orange-flavored liqueur like triple sec, grand marnier, or cointreau
- Fresh Apple Slices or Apple Wedges – cut up fresh apples for serving
- Cinnamon Sticks & Star Anise – for garnish, optional
- Cinnamon Sugar Rim – white sugar, ground cinnamon, and a touch of kosher salt mixed together on a small plate, or use a traditional salt rim
- Ice Cubes
Subs and Variations
- Use reposado tequila for a richer flavor.
- Swap orange liqueur for fresh orange juice for a softer finish.
- Use maple syrup instead of simple syrup for earthier sweetness.
- Add a splash of ginger beer for spice and carbonation.
- Use smoked salt in the rim for deeper flavor.
Find the printable recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions below.
Special Equipment Needed
How to Make Apple Cider Margaritas
This recipe makes 2 margaritas and after the first sip will fast become a new fall favorite.
- Mix granulated sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt on a small plate.
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass. Dip the rim in the sugar mixture.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add fresh apple cider, tequila blanco, lime juice, orange juice or orange liqueur, and simple syrup or agave syrup.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into the prepared glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish with an apple wedge and cinnamon stick.
Tips for Storing
• Store leftover cider in the refrigerator in a sealed jar.
• Pre-mix the margarita base without ice and keep it chilled for up to 24 hours.
• Add ice only when serving to maintain flavor.
• Keep garnishes refrigerated in an airtight container.
• Store rim mixture in a dry container for up to one month.
Recipe FAQs
Multiply each ingredient by four or eight. Shake or stir the mixture without ice and store it chilled. Pour over ice when serving.
Tequila blanco keeps the drink bright. Reposado adds depth if you want a warmer finish.
Fresh cider gives cleaner flavor than shelf stable juice. It improves the final cocktail.
Orange liqueur adds structure. Fresh orange juice adds softer sweetness. Both work.
Increase the simple syrup or use a sweeter cider.
Use zero proof tequila (or omit) and reduce the syrup slightly.
More Cocktail Recipes
- Thyme Berry Tom Collins
- Black Cherry Bourbon Soda
- S’mores Martini
- Fresh Peach Old Fashioned
- Kahlua Coke
- Sweet Tea Mojito
Other Recipes to Try
- Caramelized Apple Spice Cake
- Curried Carrot & Apple Soup
- Easy Pickled Red Onions
- Classic Potato Salad
- Tater Tot Casserole
- Pot Roast
- Pumpkin Pie Martini
Apple Cider Margarita Recipe
Recommended Tools
Ingredients
- 4 oz apple cider
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz orange juice, or orange-liqueur
- 0.5 oz simple syrup, or agave nectar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- apple wedges, for garnish, optional
- cinnamon sticks, for garnish, optional
- ice
Instructions
- Mix granulated 1 tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt on a small plate.
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of 2 glasses. Dip the rim in the sugar mixture.
- In a cocktail shaker add the ice, 4 oz apple cider, 2 oz tequila, 0.5 oz simple syrup, 1 oz lime juice, and 1 oz orange juice.
- Shake until chilled. Strain into the 2 prepared glasses with fresh ice.
- Add an apple wedges and cinnamon sticks, if desired, and serve.
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Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Hi! I’m Heather
I’m Heather, a recipe developer and content creator based in Vancouver, Washington. I started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006 because I believed weeknight dinners shouldn’t be boring and gourmet shouldn’t mean complicated. I’m also the co-founder of Spiceology, so safe to say I think about food for a living. Stick around for recipes that actually make it into your regular rotation.
So simple and delish