Apple Cider Margaritas

Celebrate fall flavors by mixing up a batch of Apple Cider Margaritas! Made with apple cider, tequila, brandy, lemon juice and a homemade cinnamon simple syrup, this fall margarita recipe is the perfect drink to serve on a chilly evening and can be made for a crowd! Makes 2 drinks, but can easily be turned into a pitcher.

Love fall-flavored cocktails? Don’t miss Pumpkin Spice Mule and Sparkling Bourbon Pumpkin Apple Cider Punch!

Three Apple Cider Margaritas sit on a blue background

I’m so very excited to bring y’all this post today! My friend, Melissa from Simply Whisked, has made us an apple cider margarita, and I cannot wait to mix one up because I love apple cider so very much.

Be sure to swing by her site to give her some love and check out all her dairy free recipes! – Erin

Hey Speckled Readers! I’m Melissa from Simply Whisked. I blog about all things dairy free from the very heart of dairyland: Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Erin and I met through a mutual friend, but we really bonded when we roomed together at a blogging conference earlier this year.

join our party!

get our latest recipes delivered to your inbox every week — plus all my entertaining tips and tricks!


    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

    Staying up hours past your bedtime chatting room will do that.

    I’m so thrilled that Baby Speckle is finally here. She’s a perfect addition to an already lovely family.

    I hope that Erin is enjoying all of those baby snuggles and embracing all the coziness that comes with the beautiful fall weather.

    Up your cocktail game!

    Subscribe for a FREE Mixed Drinks Cookbook to mix fast, easy and delicious drinks at home!

      We won’t spam. Promise. Unsubscribe at any time.

      Close up of a Apple Cider Margarita on a blue background, garnished with an apple slice, cinnamon stick, star anise and sprig of rosemary

      Why I love this recipe:

      Everything about fall is nostalgic to me. It always hits me as soon as back-to-school season is over. I don’t know if it’s the earlier sunsets or the crisp fall air, but there’s just something magical and special about this time of year.

      This fall has been beautiful, and with Halloween right around the corner, I’m craving my favorite fall flavors and looking forward to the glow of jack-o-lanterns.

      I made these apple cider margaritas for the first time a few years ago. It was our daughter’s first Halloween, and it seemed like the perfect time to start a new tradition since we’d just moved into a new home and we hosted our friends for pumpkin carving.

      We’ve been enjoying them ever since.

      I’ve always been a big fan of margaritas, and I can find a way to work them into any holiday, even Thanksgiving.

      These might be my all time favorite because of the truly unique flavor that comes from adding a little brandy with my tequila.

      It might seem a little strange at first, but it adds a complexity that works so well with the apple cider and cinnamon.

      Some other fall drinks you might love during this time of year: Spiked Caramel Apple Cider | Pumpkin Whiskey Smash | Cranberry Moscow Mule (Yule Mule) | Blizzard Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail | Spiked Caramel Apple Cider

      Need some drink inspiration? My cocktail recipe index has all kinds of ideas just for you!

      Overhead image of Apple Cider Margaritas on a blue background

      Here’s what you’ll need to make these margaritas:

      The Speckled Palate participates in affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Please refer to my disclosure page for more information about these affiliate programs.

      Let’s talk ingredients!

      In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.

      Here’s what you need:

      • Granulated sugar, water and a cinnamon stick—we use these to make the simple syrup
      • Apple cider—grab your favorite brand from the grocery store or make your own. This is integral to the flavor of this margarita recipe, and using apple juice simply won’t cut it. (Also, please note that apple cider vinegar is different than apple cider.)
      • Tequila—we like to use blanco tequila in margaritas like this one.
      • Brandy—this is a distilled wine and many are aged in wooden casks. It’s oftentimes enjoyed as an after-dinner sipper.
      • Lemon juice—fresh squeezed lemon juice is the best, though you can purchase cold press chilled lemon juice in the grocery store if that’s an easier thing for you. The shelf-stable kind simply isn’t as good, though.
      • Garnishes—cinnamon sugar, apple slices, rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks and star anise all make for a beautiful finish on this cocktail

      Unlike a traditional margarita, we’re not using lime juice or triple sec in this recipe!

      Close up of three Apple Margaritas on a blue background, garnished with an apple slice, cinnamon stick, star anise and sprig of rosemary

      How do I make apple cider margaritas?

      First, make your cinnamon simple syrup. Combine equal parts water and sugar in a large saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.

      Transfer to a mason jar and add your cinnamon sticks. Bonus points if you add a whole clove or two. Let the syrup cool and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.

      Pro tip!

      Let the cinnamon simple syrup sit overnight to get the best flavor.

      Second, prep your glasses. Fill the with ice and rim your glasses with a cinnamon sugar mixture. Now’s the time to prepare any garnishes you might want to use, too. I like to garnish mine with a slice from the center a full apple and a star anise or cinnamon stick.

      Lastly, mix your cocktail. Combine the margarita ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until the shaker becomes almost too cold to hold. Strain into your prepared glass with ice and serve immediately.

      Alternatively, you could prepare a large batch of these in a pitcher and shake over ice just before serving.

      This is a great option for a party or holiday because it gives you more face time with your guests. Make your pitcher the day before and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

      Overhead image of Apple Cider Margaritas on a blue background

      Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips

      How perfect would these tequila apple cider drinks be for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving or any other fall-related gathering?

      Here are a few tips and tricks to making margaritas for a crowd:

      • Make your cinnamon simple syrup in advance. This stuff lasts up to two weeks in the fridge, so make it on a day when you’ve got time, and let it hang out until it’s happy hour.
      • Double or triple the recipe… or turn it into a pitcher if you’re hosting a larger crowd! Do the simple math (and I’ve got the math of what an 12-drink pitcher looks like below and in the recipe card.)
      • Make the pitcher in advance, and keep it cool in the fridge until it’s entertaining time. This makes for less stress entertaining for sure because you won’t be frantically mixing your drinks as guests arrive or as they want to drink them.

      Make your holidays easier with this FREE Less Stress Holiday Cheat Sheet. It includes a menu, grocery list, cooking timeline and more.

        We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

        Three Apple Margaritas, garnished with apple slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise and sprigs of rosemary, are served on a blue background

        Frequently Asked Questions

        How can I make these margaritas into a pitcher?

        Measure the following ingredients into a pitcher to make a 12-serving margarita pitcher:

        18 oz. apple cider (or apple juice)
        12 oz. tequila
        6 oz. brandy
        6 oz. lemon juice
        3 oz. cinnamon simple syrup

        Keep it cold, and serve over ice in individual glasses.

        What do you spike apple cider with? What liquor is best with apple cider?

        You can spike apple cider with a lot of different alcohols! Whiskey/bourbon are my personal favorite, but this apple cider margarita recipe calls for a unique combination of tequila and brandy!

        Is apple cider and apple cider vinegar the same?

        No. They are not the same thing. Please, please, please do not use apple cider vinegar in these margaritas… they would NOT taste good!

        Overhead image of Apple Cider Margaritas on a blue background

        More apple drinks to mix:

        Y’all ready to make this goodness?

        Scroll on down to learn how easy it is!

        Three Apple Cider Margaritas sit on a blue background
        Yield: 2 cocktails

        Apple Cider Margaritas

        Prep Time: 5 minutes
        Cook Time: 10 minutes
        Cooling Time: 1 hour
        Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

        Celebrate fall flavors by mixing up a batch of Apple Cider Margaritas! Made with apple cider, tequila, brandy, lemon juice and a homemade cinnamon simple syrup, these cocktails are the perfect drink to serve on a chilly fall or winter evening. As an added bonus, they can be made in a pitcher for a crowd! Whether you're serving one or many, these Apple Cider Margaritas make the perfect harvest drink for all to enjoy on a chilly fall evening.

        Ingredients

        Cinnamon Simple Syrup (Makes enough for 16 batches of margaritas)

        • 1 cup water
        • 1 cup granulated sugar
        • 1 cinnamon stick

        Apple Cider Margaritas (Makes 2 margaritas)

        • 3 oz. apple cider (or apple juice)
        • 2 oz. tequila
        • 1 oz. brandy
        • 1 oz. lemon juice (or lime juice)
        • ½ oz. cinnamon simple syrup
        • Cinnamon sugar, for garnish
        • Apple slices, for garnish
        • Star anise, for garnish
        • Rosemary sprigs, for garnish
        • Cinnamon sticks, for garnish

        Instructions

        Make the Cinnamon Simple Syrup

        1. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and water. 
        2. Whisk until sugar has dissolved completely. 
        3. Remove from heat and transfer syrup to a mason jar (or other glass container). 
        4. Add cinnamon stick to syrup. 
        5. Cover the jar and allow syrup to cool completely before using.

        Apple Cider Margaritas

        1. Combine margarita ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. 
        2. Shake until cold. 
        3. Strain into prepared glasses and garnish before serving.

        Notes

        You could prepare a large batch of these in a pitcher and shake over ice just before serving. This is a great option for a party or holiday because it gives you more face time with your guests. Make your pitcher the day before and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

        To make a 12-serving batch, combine the following in your favorite pitcher:

        • 18 oz. apple cider (or apple juice)
        • 12 oz. tequila
        • 6 oz. brandy
        • 6 oz. lemon juice
        • 3 oz. cinnamon simple syrup

        Serve over ice in individual glasses, and keep cold in the refrigerator!

        Recommended Products

        As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

        Nutrition Information:

        Yield:

        2 drinks

        Serving Size:

        1 cocktail

        Amount Per Serving: Calories: 125Sodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 7gSugar: 4g

        How much did you love this recipe?

        Follow me on Instagram for more content, and share a photo of your creation with the hashtag #speckledpalate!

        A woman with dark curly hair wearing a black tank top in front of a white wall

        About the Author:

        Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her

        Similar Posts

        Before leaving a comment or rating, ask yourself:

        • Did you make the recipe as directed? If you didn’t or made an ingredient swap, please do not leave a rating. Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.
        • Is your comment helpful to others? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Please remember that this website is run by a real person.
        • Are you complaining about ads? I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising allows me to continue to do so at not cost to you. It is also unavoidable on the internet and in everyday life. If you want recipes without ads, please purchase a cookbook or borrow one from your local library.

        Leave a Reply

        Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *