With apple cider as the star of the show here (and a few really special garnishes), this margarita recipe is such a fun, festive take on the classic citrus cocktail!
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This recipe is…
An apple cider margarita — a FUN festive spin on the classic! While this variation does have several classic margarita ingredients (think: tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and agave nectar), it also has a couple of really unique, festive ones, and the garnishes included here are really special too.
Apple Cider Rita Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for the yummiest apple cider margarita ever:
- Apple Cider – to start, you’ll need a ½ cup of apple cider.
- Tequila – a ½ cup of tequila goes into the mix also. I prefer a silver (or blanco) tequila in my margaritas because it tends to have a milder taste, but any tequila you have on hand will work.
- Grand Marnier – to add a subtle orange taste, a ¼ cup of Grand Marnier heads into the cocktail.
- Fresh Lime Juice – for a nice punch of acidity, you’ll also need a ¼ cup of fresh lime juice (about 2 limes worth of juice).
- Agave Nectar – if you like a sweeter margarita, you’ll also add 2 teaspoons of agave nectar. This ingredient is totally optional, though!
- Lime Wedge – if you plan to dress your margarita glass, you’ll need 1 lime wedge to dampen the rim.
- Brown Sugar – again, if you’re planning on dressing your glasses, you’ll want to grab 2 teaspoons of brown sugar.
- Garnishes – to make these extra festive and special, garnish each glass with fresh apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and a sprig of rosemary!
Can you substitute apple cider for apple juice in a cider margarita?
You can. Apple cider typically has a punchier and richer taste than apple juice, but in a pinch, apple juice will work great.
How to make a Margarita with Apple Cider
As with most cocktail recipes (or at least the cocktail recipes on this website!), the process is really straightforward and easy. Here’s what you’ll do:
- Mix – add the apple cider, tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and agave (if using) to a pitcher or jar (depending on how many margaritas you’re making). Mix everything together and taste for sweetness, adding more agave if needed.
- Dress the glasses – rub the lime wedge over the rim of each glass, roll in the brown sugar, and tap off the excess.
- Pour, garnish, and serve – fill each glass with ice and pour in the margarita. Garnish with the optional apple slices, cinnamon, and rosemary, serve, and enjoy!
How long does it take to make an apple cider margarita?
This recipe takes hardly any time at all, actually! It’s really a matter of just measuring, mixing, tasting, adjusting (if needed), and pouring. Altogether, it’ll take you about 10 minutes.
How to Store
Store your leftover margaritas in an airtight jar in the fridge (a large mason jar works GREAT!). Be sure to store the garnishes separately! Stored this way, your margaritas will last for 4-5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you aren’t a fan of tequila but are still looking to make an alcoholic bevvy, try using an equal amount of vodka instead! It’ll have a different taste (and won’t be as margarita-ish), but it’ll definitely be more suited to your palate if you’re preference is vodka over tequila.
There are several! I haven’t personally tested them, though, so I can’t make a recommendation on which is my favorite. Here are a few options that may be worth trying:
Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative
Free Spirits – The Spirit of Tequila
Mockingbird Spirit
Subbing the tequila for plain sparkling water also makes for a delicious mocktail, so if you don’t want to worry about testing alcohol-free tequilas, that’s always an option too!
Good question! Here’s what I’d recommend doing if you’d like to make a frozen apple cider margarita:
1. Mix, pour, and freeze everything but the tequila – mix together the apple cider, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and agave, and then pour the mixture into silicone ice cube trays (THESE large ones are excellent for this kind of an application), and freeze.
2. Blend – once the apple cider mixture is completely frozen in the ice cube trays, pop the cubes out, and add them to your blender with the tequila. Blend until smooth!
3. Pour, garnish, and serve – pour the frozen apple cider margaritas into glasses, garnish as desired, and serve!
A really nice charcuterie board with a few fall-inspired additions (think: pomegranate seeds, sliced pears, pumpkin seeds, etc.) would be such a fun thing to serve with these margaritas.
Video
More Favorite Festive Cocktail Recipes
Fall Apple Cider Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
For 2 servings:
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 1/2 cup of tequila
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar optional, for a sweeter margarita
- 1 lime wedge for dampening the rim for the sugar (optional)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar for the rim (optional)
- fresh apple slices for serving (optional)
- cinnamon sticks for serving (optional)
- fresh rosemary sprigs for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the apple cider, tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and agave (if using) together, and taste for sweetness. If needed, add more agave.
- Rub the lime wedge over the rim of each glass, roll in the brown sugar, and tap off the excess.
- Fill each glass with ice and pour in the margarita. Garnish with the optional apple slices, cinnamon, and rosemary, and serve!
Recipe Notes
- 1/4 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup of tequila
- 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar (optional, for a sweeter margarita)
- 1 lime wedge, for dampening the rim for the sugar (optional)
- 1 teaspoons brown sugar, for the rim (optional)
- fresh apple slices, for serving (optional)
- cinnamon stick, for serving (optional)
- fresh rosemary sprig, for serving (optional)
- 4 cups apple cider
- 4 cups of tequila
- 2 cups Grand Marnier
- 2 cups fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon agave nectar (optional, for a sweeter margarita)
- 1 lime wedge, for dampening the rim for the sugar (optional)
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar, for the rim (optional)
- fresh apple slices, for serving (optional)
- cinnamon sticks, for serving (optional)
- fresh rosemary sprigs, for serving (optional)
Nutrition
This is actually really good! I didn’t think apple cider would work in a margarita, but it tastes great! Used Ritual Zero Proof tequila and subbed plain sparkling water for the Grand Marnier. Yum!
We are so glad you were pleasantly surprised, Katherine! Thank you for taking the time to share with us! -Team FF