Smoky Apple Cider Margarita
A Smoky Apple Cider Margarita is a cozy fall cocktail made with apple cider, smoky mezcal or tequila, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, and maple syrup. A cinnamon-sugar and flaky sea salt rim adds the perfect sweet-and-salty finish.
Ingredients
For the Margarita
- 2 ounces mezcal or silver tequila
- 4 ounces ½ cup apple cider
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- Juice from ½ a lime
- 1 –2 teaspoons maple syrup more or less to taste
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
For the Rim and Garnish
- Cinnamon sugar and flaky sea salt for the rim
- Apple slices for serving
- Cinnamon sticks for serving
Instructions
Prepare the Rim
- Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass. Dip it into the cinnamon sugar and flaky sea salt mixture.
Add the Ingredients
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add mezcal or tequila, apple cider, orange liqueur, lime juice, maple syrup, and flaky sea salt.
Shake
- Seal the shaker and shake well for about 10–15 seconds until chilled.
Pour
- Fill your prepared glass with fresh ice. Strain the margarita into the glass.
Garnish
- Add an apple slice and cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.
Notes
The balance of this drink is easy to adjust. Apple cider varies quite a bit in sweetness, so I recommend tasting the mixture before adding more maple syrup.
For a spicy apple cider margarita, muddle a small jalapeño slice with the lime juice before adding the remaining ingredients. For a warmer spiced apple cider margarita, you can add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or use cider that has already been infused with fall spices.
If you’re making this as a smoky harvest apple cider margarita, mezcal is my preferred choice because its smoky character pairs naturally with the apple and maple flavors.