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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.
Half Baked Harvest At Home
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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. It’s easy to make and so very delicious. Not too sweet, perfectly spiced, and just a touch bit smoky.
So very fall. So very me.
It’s a tried and true favorite and has been my go-to fall margarita for years. This was one of the first “real” 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 I’ve now shared so many new cocktails recipes over the last few fall and early winter Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
My next new “test” is a whiskey sour…with an egg white. What are your thoughts…an egg white cocktail? Into them…or not so much?? If you have tips, let me know!
The very quick details…
This margarita is easy.
First, you are going to make a cinnamon sugar rim on your glass. It might not seem necessary, but it’s salty, sweet, and the perfect rim for this fall margarita. Plus, it’s pretty, and that really counts for something to me.
Next, find your favorite bottle of smoky mezcal. Or if you can’t 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 “extra” special. Add the garnishes…
Meaning, apple slices, a sprig of rosemary, and most importantly, a smoking cinnamon stick. It’s fun, it adds smokiness, smells incredible, and you really just need to do it.
And that’s it. Serve this up tonight, tomorrow, or maybe over Halloween. Or, if you’re already planning out your Thanksgiving menu, this makes for a pretty great holiday margarita too!
Looking for something a little spookier? Try last Saturday’s 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, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita.
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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. 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
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
Yum! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Sara!
Hey! Looks delicious.
Are you not on Snap Chat anymore? Miss you there!
HI! I am, just been a little busy lately. Be back soon! THANK YOU! 🙂
Friday has never looked so good with these gorgeous margaritas! I need one (ok, make it 2)!
Haha yes 2! lol! Thank you Laura, I hope you love them!
Really cute!! Love the pictures
Thank you Faith!
Ummmmmm………YES!!!! to the holiday drink Saturday, DUH!!! 🙂
Thank you so much Penny!!
Oh. My. Gosh. YES, PLEASE. These look amazing, and I love the addition of the smoking cinnamon stick to the photos – that is a touch of genius right there! I am definitely whip these up for a group of friends soon.
Congratulations on the nearing of the finish line for the cookbook manuscript! I know there is a lot of cooking and photographing to come, but hopefully that is the most fun part, and – as you say – it gets your poor eyes away from the computer screen. I am SO EXCITED for your cookbook; looking forward to buying copies for everyone I know! I just know it is going to be stunning. 😀
Thank you so much Kate! I am so excited about the book too, and happy you are! (:
As if Apple ciders weren’t amazing enough, you turned apple cider into a margarita! Definitely a great way to celebrate fall!
Thanks so much Andrea!
YES! Celebrating cooler weather here in Alabama and these seem perfectttt.
They are! I hope you love them Marilyn! Thanks!
The margaritas look great! Yes to Holiday Drink Saturday! I need some ideas for some holiday shenanigans 🙂 …..and maybe, just maybe, some finger food recipes? I love translating your recipes into bite size foods.
Finger foods for sure!! 🙂
Thank you!!
oh goodness! You’re really going for full immersion with the fall feel! This is awesome!! It’s Friday and I could use a dang drink!
https://www.searedandshameless.com
Haha perfect! I hope you love this, thank you Jessica!
So fun and festive, girl! This is one drink I could totally fall in love with!
Awesome! Hope you love them Tori, thank you!
Major noms!! These look so great 🙂
Rebecca
xx
http://www.peppermintdolly.com
Thank you Rebecca!
Hi,
I would have thought that when you make a big batch of the drink, all of the ingredients would be multiplied by the same factor. That is not the case here. Is that intentional?
Thanks
Hey Bob! Thank you for pointing that out. The amount of tequila was a typo. Recipe now fixed. Thanks again and let me know if you have any questions. Hope you love these!
CONGRATULATION ON YOUR NEW BOOK. I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!
Thank you so much Carlos!!
Yes please to holiday drink Saturday!
Haha yes! Thanks Rhian!