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This easy Apple Cider Margarita comes together in minutes and is full of autumn flavor. Made with apple cider and maple syrup – plus a cinnamon sugar rim – this is one of my favorite holiday cocktails!

This festive apple cider margarita comes together in minutes and is full of autumnal flavors thanks to fresh apple cider, cinnamon, and apple slices. Add fresh orange juice and maple syrup, then rim the glass with homemade cinnamon sugar.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Margarita
- Delicious. This recipe is based on my husband’s legendary mulled apple cider recipe. And yes I do mean legendary! He’s been making it every year for more than two decades. Every time he makes it for the holidays people can’t help but come back for seconds or thirds.
- Easy. You’ll only need a few minutes and a handful of ingredients to make this cool and refreshing autumn cocktail.
- Cinnamon Sugar Rim – The rim of cinnamon sugar takes each sip over the top, both in terms of flavor and just feeling like a festive drink. Don’t skip it!
Recipe Ingredients
- Cinnamon sugar – You can make this using regular white sugar and some ground cinnamon.
- Tequila
- Triple sec or Cointreau – If I have the option, I usually go for Cointreau.
- Apple cider
- Orange – I like to use freshly squeezed orange juice if I have an orange around, but you could also use a splash of premium OJ.
- Pure maple syrup – Not pancake syrup, it’s not the same thing. You could also use simple syrup.
- Ice
- For serving – Apple slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise (optional)
How to Make an Apple Cider Margarita
- Rim your glass. Run the orange slice around the edge of your glass, then invert the top of the glass onto a plate with cinnamon sugar.
- Mix your cocktail. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, triple sec or cointreau, apple cider, orange juice and maple syrup. Add ice and shake well.
- Pour and garnish. Strain the cocktail into your glass, then garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks and a fresh sprig of sage if desired.
Tips for The Best Apple Margarita
- Garnishes – You can skip the fresh apple slices and spices if you prefer. These just add aroma and honestly make your drink extra pretty. Thinly sliced oranges are another great option.
- Kinds of Alcohol – You can use either triple sec or cointreau in this cocktail recipe. What’s the difference? Cointreau is a kind of triple sec. Generic triple sec is an inexpensive orange liqueur while “cointreau” is more expensive and has more orange flavor with a higher alcohol content. If you can, use cointreau.
More Margarita Recipes to Try
- Blood Orange Margarita
- Pomegranate Margarita
- Pineapple Margarita
Apple Cider Margarita
This easy Apple Cider Margarita comes together in minutes and is full of autumn flavor. Made with apple cider and maple syrup – plus a cinnamon sugar rim – this is one of my favorite holiday cocktails!
Ingredients
- Cinnamon sugar
- 1.5 oz tequila
- ½ oz triple sec or cointreau
- 5 oz apple cider
- Juice from 1/4 of a large orange
- 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- Ice
- Optional: apple slices, cinnamon sticks or star anise for garnish
Instructions
- Rim your glass. Run the orange slice around the edge of your glass, then invert the top of the glass onto a plate with cinnamon sugar.
- Mix your cocktail. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, triple sec or cointreau, apple cider, orange juice and maple syrup. Add ice and shake well.
- Pour and garnish. Strain the cocktail into your glass, then garnish with apple slices, cinnamon sticks and a fresh sprig of sage if desired.
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Nutrition
Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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