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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, 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.
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 margarita. It basically has all the things I love about fall, 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 should rim your glass with salted cinnamon sugar. 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 silver tequila. But the mezcal is what gives this margarita its smokiness.
Now, add a splash of orange liquor, a good amount of spiced 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.
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 603 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita Pitcher
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 212 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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.
What are those cute little flower looking pieces that you have in the drink?
Hey Laura,
Are you referring to the rosemary or the star anise? Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
The anise! Thank you!
Delicious… we used sparkling apple cider because that’s all I could find at Whole Foods, but it still worked out so well (just stirred rather than shake). Not too sweet, not too maple-y, it was perfect!!!
Hey Abbey,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
How do we make the warm version?
Do I not add the cinnamon salted sugar if it’s the warm version?
Hey Diana,
I have never tried this as a warm drink:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This drink tastes like Fall in a glass! I used Trader Joe’s bourbon barrel aged maple syrup and it turned out great! Highly recommend!
Hey Rebekah,
Thanks a lot for trying out this recipe. I love to hear that it was enjoyed and hope you have the best week! xTieghan
So good and easy to make!
Hey Grace,
Thanks so much for trying out the recipe, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Hi there! I’m searching for a cozy cocktail for December and this is so intriguing but I can’t have maple syrup, What would you suggest as a replacement? Are there other cocktails that have that warm wintery flavor but without maple or honey that you would recommend? Thanks!
Hey Amy,
I would give one of these recipes a try:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pomegranate-champagne-mule/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/holly-jolly-christmas-citrus-cocktail/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/gingerbread-white-russian/
I hope you love the recipes, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Pretty awful…did a test run for thanksgiving and came out bad….
Hi May! I am sorry you did not enjoy this. Is there anything I can help with? xTieghan
I want to say if more than a couple people didn’t like it, something was different than the recipe. We made this for a group of 10 and everyone loved it.
Delish! Love the smokey flavor from the Mezcal. The better quality Mezcal, the more smokey flavor. Splurge and go upper shelf with the Alcohol for this one.
Thank you so much Lacy! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
My new favorite cocktail. I’ve had it four or five times since you’ve posted!
Wow yes!! I am so happy you loved this one, Abbie! Thank you! xTieghan
What brand tequila do you use?
Hey Nancy,
I like Dos Amigos! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Simply delicious and easy to make. Also, goes down too easily!
Love that! Thank you Mikaelyn! xTieghan
My husband is the cocktail maker of our family. We made this for our friends at Halloween and it was HIT! TY for your great recipes. I have told everyone that this thanksgiving is going to be a Tieghan Thansgiving as I am hoping to try out quite a few of your recipes.
Hi Rani! I am so glad you all loved this cocktail! Also, so amazing! I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! xTieghan
Hi! What would you substitute for a non alcoholic version? Sparkling water, anything else to give it a kick? Looks amazing!
Hey Meghan,
I would do sparkling water! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Looking forward to making this! We are big fans of whiskey sours in our house. We don’t make them with the egg white, because we drink them so often we’d end up with a bunch of leftover egg yolks! However, I love a good egg white infused cocktail – they are so creamy! One of the first cocktails of that type I tried was a Ramos Gin Fizz. Look it up, maybe you can do a riff on it this Christmas!
Hi Melissa! I hope you love this recipe when you get a chance to try it! I completely understand having so many egg yolks left over, but the egg white does make it so yummy! xTieghan
Have been searching for a good drink with cider. Dang girl this is DE-lush! Couldn’t get my cinnamon to smoke but have found my new favorite cider margarita. Cheers!!
Thank you so much Chris! I am really glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Can you make this hot or is there a hot version of something similar?
Hey Rebecca,
I haven’t tried making this hot, but you could definitely give it a go! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan