Spicy Fall Cocktail: Apple Cider Margarita Recipe
by Alina Orozco
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Apple cider and tequila pair together perfectly to make a deliciously spicy fall cocktail. Here is the recipe for how to make an easy apple cider margarita with just a few ingredients, and don’t you dare skip the tangy and salty rim!
Apple Cider Margarita Recipe and Why You’ll Love It
Apple cider cocktails are everywhere this season, and for good reason. When cider meets tequila, a reposado tequila in particular, the result is a warm, smoky, fall flavor twist on the classic margarita. Add in a cinnamon sugar rim, some fresh lime, and a bit of orange liqueur or triple sec, and you’ve got a margarita that screams autumn cozy vibes.
This version also pairs cider and apple juice (or apple cider) for more depth. If you’re not sure apple cider and tequila pair well together this spiced apple margarita will prove to you that they are a match made in cocktail heaven. Slightly sweet with a little smokiness from the tequila, this cocktail is guaranteed to be your fall favorite. The best part? It comes together in just a few minutes with a few ingredients.
What You’ll Need: Ingredients & Tools
- Reposado tequila (100% agave) – smoother and slightly aged, adds caramel/vanilla notes
- Fresh lime juice (juice from about one lime)
- Triple sec or your favorite orange liqueur
- Apple cider (or a mix of cider and apple juice if you like it lighter/sweeter)
- Optional: club soda for topping off, to lighten things up
- Garnishes: apple slices, a cinnamon stick, maybe a wedge of fresh lime
- For rim: mixture of cinnamon sugar rim or cinnamon + salt + chili powder (adjust as you like)
Tools:
- Glasses (rocks or margarita glasses)
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Knife & citrus juicer
Fall Margarita with Tequila Cocktail
Over the summer, I have found quite a love for tequila. And it turns out I’m not the only once, since my skinny & spicy margarita recipe has been quite popular on Pinterest. So when it came time to transition into a new season, I simply wasn’t ready to give up my tequila or my love for a good margarita.
That’s how this simple recipe came to me in my mind. I made a few tweaks over a couple of weeks and now I’m ready to share this delicious fall cocktail with you.
You may also like to try my Spicy Pear Martini, made with vodka.
The best part about this cocktail is that it requires very few ingredients. Any apple cider works, and any tequila of your choice will do! You can even make an apple cider margarita pitcher and serve it over fall get togethers.
The color and the flavors make this tequila drink a perfect autumn cocktail.
How to Make a Fall Margarita with a Kick
- Rim your glass: Run a lime wedge around the rim, then dip into the cinnamon sugar rim (or your preferred spice-salt blend). This elevates the first sip.
2. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Add tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec (or other orange liqueur). Shake vigorously until the shaker is frosted.
4. Strain into your rimmed glass over fresh ice.
5. Top with apple cider (or cider + apple juice), stir gently. If using club soda, add it last.
You can use any apple cider to make your spice apple margarita. You can also just use the cider you bought, or you can add all spice, cloves, anise and cinnamon sticks to your store bought cider for a little extra flavor and spice.
How to Make the Spicy Rim for Your Tequila Cocktail
Then, on a plate you want to mix cinnamon, salt and add a pinch of chilli powder —this creates the most delicious rim for your apple cider margarita. Rim the glass with a lime wedge then flip it upside down on to the plate with the mix. I like to do half of the rim, in case the spiciness is too much for someone.
Next, fill the glass with ice and add 2 oz of your favorite tequila. Top with apple cider and garnish with apple slices, a cinnamon stick, wedge of lime. Maybe even sprinkle a pinch of pie spice on top for the aroma.
If you’re looking to cut calories on this cocktail, I suggest using less apple cider and instead add club soda to your cocktail. This will also make your drink less sweet, but equally delicious.
Additional Tips for This Fall Margarita Cocktail
- Pick your tequila wisely: using reposado tequila adds richness. If you want more oak / barrel-aged flavor, try a reposado or even a light añejo. If you want brighter, crisper flavors, blanco will work but less fall depth. (Reposado is our recommendation this year.)
- Use fresh lime always—bottled lime just doesn’t give same brightness.
- Adjust sweetness with your cider/juice ratio and triple sec amount. If your cider is very sweet, reduce orange liqueur or add more lime.
- Balance the rim: too sweet or too spicy rim can overwhelm—experiment with half-rim or lighter spice.
- Serve cold: keep your cider cold before mixing; ice matters—fresh large cubes melt slower, diluting less.
- Make ahead for gatherings: Mix tequila + orange liqueur + cider base (without ice or lime) and keep chilled. When ready to serve, shake fresh lime & ice per drink.
Apple Cider Margarita Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- On a plate, mix cinnamon, salt and add a pinch of chilli powder to create a rim. Take a wedge of lime and gently rim your glass.
- Turn your glass upside down and rim on the mixture.
- Add ice to glass. Then tequila and apple cider.
- Top with club soda add garnish and serve.
What to Serve with Your Apple Cider Margarita
I love making a delicious fall inspired charcuterie board to serve with our Spicy Fall Cocktail. This apple cider margarita is delicious along side a simple charcuterie board. Here is how I elevate our meat and cheese board for fall.
- Add seasonal fruit— persimmons, green apples and grapes work really well with a variety of cheeses
- Add seasonal dry fruit and nuts— pumpkin seeds give this simple charcuterie board instant fall vibes.
Fall Inspired Tablescape Details
