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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.
Bummer. Really did not enjoy the smokey mezcal taste. Overall, did not like the flavors in this. Guests weren’t fans either.
Hi Steph,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try and sharing your feedback. Mezcal definitely has a unique flavor that you either like or you don’t:) xx
This was delicious! Everyone in my family loved it!
Hey Kelly,
Happy Thanksgiving!!🦃🍁 I am so glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Love this holiday take on a margarita ! I didn’t have white tequila and used reposado but it still turned out well 🙂
Hi Mariana,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
You don’t mention rosemary and star anise in your recipe but I see them in the photos. Should I be adding this?
Hi Stephanie,
You will see those ingredients listed in step 2 as garnish, totally optional:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Is there a way to use a sugar-free substitute for the maple syrup? Thinking of my diabetic friend who will be here for Thanksgiving . Thanks in advance! Keep up it up! We LOVE your recipes!
Hey Allison,
I think the maple syrup is a great option because it’s all natural, you could also use honey or agave. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This was really good. The cinnamon/sugar/salt rim is essential!
Hey Tanya,
Happy Monday!! 🍁 Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it! xT
Thanks for sharing, really good and easy! I used Silver Patron and Cointreau, can’t wait to make a Pitcher for the family at Thanksgiving (for the non-cinnamon lovers I’ll just use plain salt on the rim).
Hey Sandra,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xT
Delicious!! Cinnamon stick didn’t smoke for long but that doesn’t effect the taste.
Hey Natasha,
Love it!!🤩 So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks so much for making it! xx
LOVE! Just made it tonight – very simple to make and so delicious. Already planning on doubling it next weekend for a get together with friends.
Hey Karie,
Happy Sunday! 🎃 So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Can glasses be rinmed in advance and left out? Think I can make a
Big pitcher of it and have it sit?
Hey Nancy,
Yes to both! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you! Cheers! xT
Do you think I could make this with bourbon?
Hi Noura,
Sure, I think bourbon would be great! I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xT
We love this smoky fall margarita!
The cinnamon and rosemary and smoky mezcal is divine to sip on a beautiful fall day or night!
I made them for our Bible study mountain cabin trip. Look how pretty they were sitting on the ledge of the cabin with the gorgeous fall view!
Thanks so much for all your recipes! We love them all and my friends always ask where I get my recipes! I always send them your way!
Hi there,
Happy Sunday!!🎃 I truly appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I am so glad to hear it was enjoyed!
If you are not a fan of maple syrup, what can you use in place of?
Hey Tiffany,
Some honey would work for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try! Cheers! xx
Do you think Grand Mariner would work in place of the Cointreau? Also, when you light the cinnamon stick on fire, does the smoking end go into the drink?
Thank you,
Michelle
Sure, that would work! No, the smoking end does not go into the drink:)
Hello – We made these drinks last night for a cooking class and they were a big hit!! We had a hard time getting the cinnamon sticks to light and stay lit though. Do you have any tricks for that?
Hey Kate,
Happy Monday!🎃 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was tasty for you, thanks a bunch for making it! Unfortunately, they don’t stay lit for very long! xx
Hi, can you suggest a particular orange liquor that works well for this recipe (cointreau, etc)? Thanks a lot
Hey Laura,
Cointreau or triple sec is great to use! Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! Cheers! xT