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Smoky Apple Cider Paloma. Homemade cinnamon honey mixed with apple cider, grapefruit juice, tequila, and mezcal. It’s just a touch smoky, sweet, and spicy – the perfect winter drink. Top this festive paloma with sweet, bubbly ginger beer for a fizzy, festive touch. Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all of your upcoming holiday parties. You can even make it a mocktail if you prefer! Or mix up a large batch to serve to family and friends this season. This is so easy to create.
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If there’s a drink I serve on repeat, it is a Paloma. I usually prefer a Paloma over a margarita because they tend to be less sweet. Many years ago, I shared a Pomegranate Ginger Paloma, which is one of my most loved and popular drink recipes. It’s a holiday staple for so many of you, and I couldn’t love that more!
I make it every holiday season, but I prefer the Spicy Pomegranate Paloma. It’s my favorite, but if you prefer a non-spicy drink, you have to try the original Pomegranate Ginger Paloma. Both are so great!
And now we have today’s Smoky Apple Cider Paloma! Totally different, but so delicious! I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve made an apple cider paloma. It’s soo good!
Throughout the fall and winter months I love to use Mezcal in place of tequila for a warmer, smokier cocktail. This Paloma uses both silver tequila and Mezcal, it’s a perfect balance and with the sweet apple cider, it so delicious!
I plan to share this with my family over Thanksgiving. It’s a small group this year and I know my mom will love this! Plus, it’s fun, easy, and festive. So excited to share this recipe with you all.
Here are the details
Ingredients – for the cocktail
- honey
- cinnamon sticks
- apple cider
- grapefruit juice
- lime juice
- silver tequila
- mezcal
- ginger beer
- apple slices and sugared rosemary, for serving
For the mocktailÂ
- honey
- cinnamon sticks
- apple cider
- grapefruit juice
- lime juice
- apple cider vinegar
- ginger beer
- apple slices and sugared rosemary, for serving
Ingredients for the Rim – this is optionalÂ
- coarse sugar
- granulated sugar
- chipotle chile powder
- ground cinnamon
Special Tools
None! All you need is a small pot for the honey and a glass jar to mix your cocktail.
Steps
Step 1: make the cinnamon honey
This is a a mix of honey and whole cinnamon sticks simmered together with water. This is my favorite sweet cocktail syrup. It really pairs so well with all holiday drinks!
To add even more flavor, you can add a star anise for an extra peppery spicy kick. It’s fun!
Step 2: the sweet and smoky sugar rim
We all know I love to add a special sparkle to each holiday cocktail. For this drink, it’s the smoky chipotle sugar around the rim of each glass.
This is not a must-make, but I always include it because it’s so fun – and of course, yummy. It’s a mix of coarse sugar, granulated sugar, ground chipotle powder, and then a small amount of warm cinnamon.
This really makes this Paloma sparkle with holiday cheer!
Step 3: mix the drink
Mix the apple cider, grapefruit juice, lime, tequila, and mezcal. Add as much cinnamon honey as you’d like, then top the drink off with ginger beer (my absolute favorite). It’s very bubbly and adds just the right amount of spicy sweetness.
If you want to make a mocktail
Don’t worry, I have you covered! You can replace the tequila and Mezcal with additional apple cider and grapefruit juice. If you’d like to add a little more zing to your drink, use apple cider vinegar.
It’s smoky, sweet, and full of wonderful warming holiday flavors from apple cider, to honey, to cinnamon. This Paloma is such a fun festive drink to mix up for any holiday party. The cinnamon honey makes enough for at least 6 drinks, but can easily be doubled (or tripled), for a large batch of drinks.
Make enough for everyone and enjoy!
Looking for other easy Thanksgiving cocktails?? Here are my favorites:Â
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
Lastly, if you make this Smoky Apple Cider Paloma, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Smoky Apple Cider Paloma (with mocktail)
IngredientsÂ
Cinnamon Honey Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Paloma
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- 1/4 cup grapefruit juice
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2-4 tablespoons Cinnamon Honey Syrup
- 1 ounce silver tequila
- 1 ounce Mezcal
- ginger beer, for topping
- sliced apples and sugared rosemary, for serving , (optional)
Smoky Sweet Rim (optional)
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
InstructionsÂ
- 1. To make the cinnamon honey syrup, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, simmer for 1-2 minutes and remove from the heat. Let cool. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2. On a small plate, mix the coarse sugar, sugar, chipotle powder, and a pinch of cinnamon. Run a grapefruit or lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip into the sugar mix.3. Fill your glass with ice. Add the apple cider, grapefruit juice, lime juice, cinnamon honey, tequila, and Mezcal. Stir to combine, then top with ginger beer. If desired, add a cinnamon stick, sugared rosemary, and apple slices. Enjoy!4. To Make a Mocktail: omit the tequila and mezcal. Add 1 tablespoon of additional apple cider (or apple cider vinegar for a little zing) with 1 tablespoon of additional grapefruit juice, and 2 tablespoons of additional ginger beer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Apple Cider Paloma Pitcher
IngredientsÂ
Cinnamon Honey Syrup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Paloma Pitcher
- 1 1/4 cup apple cider
- 3/4 cup grapefruit juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 3/4 cup silver tequila
- 3/4 cup Mezcal, (or additional tequila)
- 2 bottles (12 ounce) ginger beer
- sliced apples and sugared rosemary, for serving , (optional)
InstructionsÂ
- 1. To make the cinnamon honey syrup, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, simmer for 1-2 minutes and then remove from the heat. Let cool. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2. In a large pitcher, add the apple cider, grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, Mezcal, and cinnamon honey syrup. Chill until ready to serve.3. When ready to serve, if desired, rim glasses in smoky sugar (recipe above) and fill with ice. Pour the Paloma into prepared glasses. Top with ginger beer.4. To Make a Mocktail:Â omit the tequila and Mezcal. Add 3/4 cup additional apple cider, 1/2 cup additional grapefruit juice, and 3/4 cup additional ginger beer.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
What’s the best grapefruit juice to use? I have a hard time finding a great tasting one.
Hi Elizabeth! I love the Lakewood brand for juices, or you could also use Ocean Spray! Hope you love this cocktail! cT
Is this 2-120z bottles for a total of 24oz or 12oz total?
Hi Elizabeth,
You will want to use two 12oz bottles for a total of 24oz. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Easy and spectacular – everyone loved it with just a light float of ginger beer.
Hey there,
Awesome!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for giving it a try! Happy Holidays! xx
Delicious! Made it for all our guests (some mocktail as well) and it was a big hit. This was my first time trying mezcal and I’m a big fan!
Hey Shayla,
Happy Holidays!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe and appreciate you making it! Thanks for your comment:) xx
Do you think this would still be good with only one type of tequila in a pinch??
Hi Charlotte,
Yes, that would be just fine. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! Cheers! xx
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was delicious! Didn’t use all of they syrup and they were still really tasty.
Hey Cherie,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe and your comment, I’m so glad it turned out well for you! xx
How much syrup do you put in the pitcher? It’s not listed in the ingredients!
Hi Megan,
You are going to add all of the syrup. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx