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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. 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.
Just made this to welcome in the autumn weather. It’s delicious!
Hi Lisa,
Wonderful! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed and appreciate you giving it a try! Have a great weekend!🍁
Where do you find apple cider or are you using apple juice?
Hi Tiffany,
Your local grocery store should carry apple cider this time of year or a local farmers market! I hope you love the recipe. Cheers! xx
I made this over the weekend and it was excellent!
My husband doesn’t typically like mixed drinks and I usually drink red wine but I thought we would shake things up (pardon the pun) 🙂 and make one of your cocktails every week for cocktail Saturday and this was the first one we started with & we really enjoyed it!
I used mezcal and for the rim used smoked sea salt combined with the cinnamon to really bring out that smoke flavor.
We both agreed this is a repeat cocktail!
Thanks for sharing such a great drink recipe!
Hi Lori,
Happy Thursday! Thanks a lot for trying this recipe and sharing what worked well for you! Love to hear that it was enjoyed! Cheers! xTieghan
Hi Lori,
Where did you find smoked sea salt? Or did you smoke it yourself? And if so, how?
Hi Sue,
Sorry for the late response I just saw this now😬. Maldon has a great smoked salt that I picked up at a kitchen store locally but I just checked and it is available on Amazon.
I hope you love it!
Cheers
This is delicious!! May be too good….
Hi Deborah,
Happy Sunday! I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it:)
Loved your Apple Ginger Mule recipe, so want to give this one a try as well. I don’t have maple syrup, but was wondering if using honey or agave as a substitute could work? Would it affect the flavor much?
Hey Chelsea,
Honey will work well for you in place of the maple syrup. I hope you enjoy the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
I’ve made this several times with agave because we’ve been out of maple syrup and it’s just as good!
Hey Abbey,
Fantastic! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Happy New Year!? xxT
Hi I can’t wait to make these margaritas for our Thanksgiving drink… Curious have you ever made a batch of these any tips?
Hey Justin,
You bet, just follow the instructions for the pitcher. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
I see that now!! ??♂️
Thank you!
Made these today with mezcal. Love it!! We are going to serve them for thanksgiving. Thank you!
Hey Marie,
I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week! xTieghan
Made this last night and oh my, so good. Great drink for a very cold fall evening. My only problem was my glass was too tall or my cinnamon stick too short to light the cinnamon stick. I really wanted to try that. Thanks for the recipe. Not sure which one to try next. They all look so amazing.
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Happy Monday ? xTieghan
I am trying out some of your different drink recipes to serve for the holidays. This one was hit with the everyone! Delicious. Looking forward to trying out more!
Hey! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I hope you loved it! Have a great week ? xTieghan
3.5/5 stars for me. Tastes like apple pie and a margarita had a baby 🙂 I like it! Would definitely have at a Halloween/fall party and be happy, but maybe not one I’ll be making for myself all the time this season. I do think I like this one better than The Grave Digger cocktail, which is similar.
Perfect fall drink! Everyone was impressed! You are the master of drink recipes, all are unique. And the ones we have tried have been delicious. I love margaritas and this was a great twist, and yes you gotta light the cinnamon stick for the smoke effect.
Really great!
Thank you.
Made it as written and it’s amazing. The perfect fall cocktail!
Looks wonderful! Just the drink I was looking for on one of the early cool-Fall days. I wonder if this could be made into an apple based pie? I make a bourbon (rye) apple pie that’s awesome and I might need to try a version with the mezcal. Why not! Thanks!
Hey Harry,
I’ve never tried that:) Hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Loved this idea! We made this last October and have come back to try all your spooky drinks. 🙂 So good, thank you!
Hey Maddie,
Love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! Have the best weekend? xTieghan
Is there a way to make this non-alcoholic?
Hi Teral,
I would just skip the alcohol and use more apple cider. I hope you love it! xTieghan
Teral, try subbing Seedlip Spice 94 of Fluère Smoked Agave for the mezcal. Alternatively, you could try brewing and chilling some mate or red rooibos tea (or another earthy, spicy tea) to sub for the mezcal.