This recipe was originally shared on The Speckled Palate as my contribution for Erin’s maternity leave, but I love it so much that I just had to share it here.
Why you’ll love this drink:
- Everything about fall is nostalgic to me. It always hits me as soon as back-to-school season is over. I don’t know if it’s the earlier sunsets or the crisp fall air, but there’s just something magical and special about this time of year.
- These might be my all time favorite margarita because of the truly unique flavor that comes from adding a little brandy with my tequila. It might seem a little strange at first, but it adds a complexity that works so well with the apple cider and cinnamon.
- This recipe is easily doubled or tripled. You can prepare a pitcher ahead of time, chill and shake over ice before serving. Making it great for hosting parties!
More fall favorites: apple juice and vodka cocktail / caramel apple martini / apple cider sangria / Apple cider bourbon cocktail / pumpkin rum punch
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Apple cider: You’ll want to use a fresh pressed apple cider (the cloudy kind). Apple juice would work, but it won’t be as good. You really want that intense, apple flavor from the fresh cider. That’s why we typically only make this drink in the fall.
- Tequila – I usually choose a silver tequila because we prefer the flavor, and I think it lets the other flavors in the drink shine through.
- Brandy – While this isn’t typically in a margarita, I think it works really well with the apple cider and gives the drink more complexity.
- Lemon or lime juice – Fresh squeezed lemon juice is the best. If you can’t find that, try lime juice, or bottled juice would work in a pinch.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
How to make apple cider margaritas
Make your cinnamon simple syrup. Combine equal parts water and sugar in a large saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Transfer to a mason jar and add your cinnamon sticks. Bonus points if you add a whole clove or two. Let the syrup cool and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Let rest in the fridge overnight for maximum flavor.
Prep your glasses. Fill the with ice and rim your glasses with a cinnamon sugar mixture. Now’s the time to prepare any garnishes you might want to use, too. I like to garnish mine with a slice from the center a full apple and a star anise or cinnamon stick.
Mix your cocktail. Combine the margarita ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until the shaker becomes almost too cold to hold. Strain into your prepared glass with ice and serve immediately.
Alternatively, you could prepare a large batch of these in a pitcher and shake over ice just before serving.
This is a great option for a party or holiday because it gives you more face time with your guests. Make your pitcher the day before and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
Frequently asked questions
What alcohol goes with apple cider?
Apple cider goes really well with a many different alcohol varieties. It can be mixed with tequila, as this recipe features, whiskey, rum, vodka, or gin. We love the flavors of tequila and cider shaken together to create this seasonal margarita.
Why do you need triple sec for margaritas?
Most recipe for margaritas call for triple sec and for most margarita recipes it is a necessity, but not this one. Brandy is added to these margaritas as the secondary alcohol, which adds a warm, complex flavor to these festive margaritas.
More margarita recipes to try: cantaloupe melon margarita / spicy jalapeño margarita / limoncello margarita / prickly pear margarita
Apple Cider Margaritas
Ingredients
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces tequila
- 1 ounce brandy
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
For the cinnamon simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
For the garnish (optional):
- cinnamon sugar, for rimming glasses
- apple slices
- star anise
- rosemary sprigs
- cinnamon sticks
Instructions
For the cinnamon simple syrup:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water.
- Whisk until sugar has dissolved completely.
- Remove from heat and transfer syrup to a mason jar (or other glass container).
- Add cinnamon stick to syrup.
- Cover the jar and allow syrup to cool completely before using.
For the margaritas:
- Combine margarita ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until cold.
- Strain into prepared glasses and garnish before serving.
Recipe Notes
- 18 ounces apple cider
- 12 ounces tequila
- 6 ounces brandy
- 6 ounces lemon juice
- 3 ounces cinnamon simple syrup
Nutrition Information
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