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Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita, my favorite quick and easy, but oh so warming fall margarita. Smoky mezcal (or tequila) mixed with a splash of orange liquor, spiced apple cider, a touch of citrusy lime, and sweet maple. This autumn harvest margarita is a cozy take on the classic margarita, and the perfect warming fall cocktail to sip on with friends and family. Finish this smoky margarita off with fresh rosemary, apple slices, and a smoking cinnamon stick for that extra special touch.
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Because every Saturday is made better with a cocktail in hand, right?
Yes, yes, correct! Happy to be back for yet another HBH Cocktail Saturday recipe! I LOVE these posts so much. And I LOVE this apple cider margarita recipe. It basically has all the things I love about fall flavors, with the addition of tequila and a smoky cinnamon stick. Itโs easy to make and so very delicious. Not too sweet, perfectly spiced, and just a touch bit smoky.
So very fall. So very me.
Itโs a tried and true favorite and has been my go-to fall margarita for years. This was one of the first โrealโ drinks that I made for my family a few Octobers back. It was then that I began to have a lot of fun mixing drinks and experimenting with them. Crazy that Iโve now shared so many new cocktails recipes over the last few fall and early winter Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
My next new โtestโ is a whiskey sourโฆwith an egg white. What are your thoughtsโฆan egg white cocktail? Into themโฆor not so much?? If you have tips, let me know!
The very quick detailsโฆ
This margarita is easy.
First, you are going to make a cinnamon sugar rim on your glass. It might not seem necessary, but itโs salty, sweet, and the perfect rim for this fall margarita. Plus, itโs pretty, and that really counts for something to me.
Next, find your favorite bottle of smoky mezcal. Or if you canโt stand mezcal (some love it, some hate it), use your favorite blanco tequila. But the mezcal is what gives this margarita its smokiness.
Now, add a splash of triple sec, a good amount of fresh apple cider, a little citrusy lime, and sweeten it up with maple. Shake and strain into glasses.
SIMPLE. But SO GOOD.
If you want to make this margarita โextraโ special. Add the garnishesโฆ
Meaning, apple slices, a sprig of rosemary, and most importantly, a smoking cinnamon stick. Itโs fun, it adds smokiness, smells incredible, and you really just need to do it.
And thatโs it. Serve this up tonight, tomorrow, or maybe over Halloween. Or, if youโre already planning out your Thanksgiving menu, this makes for a pretty great holiday margarita too!
Looking for something a little spookier? Try last Saturdayโs Sleepy Hollow Cocktail!
If you make these smoky harvest apple cider margarita, 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, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita.
Ingredientsย
- cinnamon sugar and flaky sea salt, for the rim
- 2 ounces mezcal or silver tequila
- 1/2 ounce orange liquor
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) apple cider
- juice from 1/2 a lime
- 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup, use more or less to your taste
- apple slices and cinnamon sticks, for serving
Instructionsย
- 1. If desired, rim your glass in salted cinnamon sugar. Mix equal parts cinnamon sugar and sea salt. Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and coat in sugar.2. Combine the mezcal or tequila, orange liquor, apple cider, lime juice, and maple in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake to combine. Strain into the glass.ย Garnish with apple slices, rosemary, and cinnamon sticks. If desired light the cinnamon on fire for a smoky effect.
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.
Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita Pitcher
Ingredientsย
- cinnamon sugar and flaky sea salt, for the rim
- 12 ounces mezcal or silver tequila, (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 3-4 ounces orange liquor, (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 cups apple cider
- 1 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, use more or less to your taste
- apple slices and cinnamon, sticks for serving
Instructionsย
- 1. In a large pitcher, combine mezcal or tequila, orange liquor, apple cider, lime juice, and maple. Chill until ready to serve.
2. When ready to serve, if desired, rim glasses in salted cinnamon sugar, fill with ice. Pour the margarita into glasses. Garnish with apple slices, rosemary, and cinnamon sticks. If desired light the cinnamon on fire for a smoky effect.
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.
Made a double-pitcher for Thanksgiving – they were terrific! Followed the recipe exactly. Made cinnamon-sugar salt for the rim – which totally made the drink. Making again for a holiday gathering. Easy to prep ahead. Just rim the glasses and pour over ice!
Hey Carolyn,
Happy Friday!! Iโm so glad to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it and your comment!
Have a wonderful holiday season!๐
These are SO fantastic! Thank you for sharing! Question: do you ever make these in advance for a larger group? I’m hosting Thanksgiving and would love to have them in a pitcher/refillable. Could they be made a few days in advance?
Thanks so much, Shannon! You bet! You can follow the pitcher written above:)
Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers!
The tartness of the apple and the brightness of the orange liquor together with smoke and maple is delightful. Starts sharp, finishes fruity. Itโs a full palate experience.
Thank you so much Mary! xT
Easy and delicious!
Hi Lindsey,
Happy Weekend! Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I’m so glad it turned out nicely for you! xxT
I just saw this on an email from Great Day Houston! Congrats and oh I look forward to trying this soon with my family.
Aww, thanks so much, Diane! I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xT
Tieghan,
sorry – it was on Good Taste with Tanji.
She covers restaurants mostly in Texas and adds specials like your drink recipe too.
Yes, I have everything now – so yummy.
Ome cocktail is 600 calories?? Or is that for the pitcher?
Hey Mary Ann,
It might be for the whole pitcher. I always recommend that if the nutritional information is important to you, you use your own personal calculator. Ours is automatic and controlled by google. Itโs not something weโd prefer to be using. We are required to. Iโm sorry for the trouble, we do our best! Hope you enjoy the recipe! xT
Great way to use up apple cider. This cocktail is delicious and a perfect change of pace for the fall.
Thanks so much, Jill!
This is a phenomenal cocktail! Highly recommend the Mezcal over normal tequila. I also threw a little bit more salt in the rimโฆ For a sweet and salty thing, and itโs so good!
Hey Annie,
So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Have a great fall Friday! xT
Hi, would you recommend regular or spiced apple cider for these? Excited to try this recipe!
Hey Maddie,
I like to use spiced apple cider, but totally up to you! I hope you love this recipe, cheers! xT
This is my absolute favorite sweet margarita. I keep the cinnamon sugar rim in a jar year round
Hey Collette,
Awesome! Thanks so much for making this recipe so often and your comment! Glad to hear it is always enjoyed. Have a great week! x
I’ve been making and enjoying this for a couple of years now. This Thanksgiving, they were out of regular cider at the grocery store, so I grabbed some “spiced cider” and it was even better!
So glad you’re loving this margarita Katherine! Thank you! xT
These sound SO good and Iโve got some homemade cider Iโd love to use. However, Iโm currently pregnant, ha ha. What would you recommend I use more of or add to make it a mocktail?! Thanks so much!
Hi Rebecca! I would use a little more cider and then top it off with your fave sparkling water or maybe even sprite! xT
Made these yesterday for Thanksgiving. I went a little light on mine with the booze, so I could have more than one! Absolutely divine and so simple. What a treat, thank you!
Hi Tara,
Thanks for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
Made this for Thanksgiving 2023! So TASTY! And it was super cool to watch the smoky cinnamon stick.
Thanks so much Rachelle! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Cheers! xx
This drink is my new go to! I made a pitcher for a halloween party with Mezcal (400 Conejos) and used Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao for the orange liquor and omg! Compliments all around and dont skip the burnt cinnamon stick and rim! Making it again for Thanksgiving!
Hey Amanda,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this dish turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your feedback! xT