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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.
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.
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.
Ome cocktail is 600 calories?? Or is that for the pitcher?
Hey Mary Ann,
It might be for the whole pitcher. I always recommend that if the nutritional information is important to you, you use your own personal calculator. Ours is automatic and controlled by google. It’s not something we’d prefer to be using. We are required to. I’m sorry for the trouble, we do our best! Hope you enjoy the recipe! xT
This is a phenomenal cocktail! Highly recommend the Mezcal over normal tequila. I also threw a little bit more salt in the rim… For a sweet and salty thing, and it’s so good!
Hey Annie,
So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, I appreciate you making it! Have a great fall Friday! xT
Hi, would you recommend regular or spiced apple cider for these? Excited to try this recipe!
Hey Maddie,
I like to use spiced apple cider, but totally up to you! I hope you love this recipe, cheers! xT
This is my absolute favorite sweet margarita. I keep the cinnamon sugar rim in a jar year round
Hey Collette,
Awesome! Thanks so much for making this recipe so often and your comment! Glad to hear it is always enjoyed. Have a great week! x
I’ve been making and enjoying this for a couple of years now. This Thanksgiving, they were out of regular cider at the grocery store, so I grabbed some “spiced cider” and it was even better!
So glad you’re loving this margarita Katherine! Thank you! xT
These sound SO good and I’ve got some homemade cider I’d love to use. However, I’m currently pregnant, ha ha. What would you recommend I use more of or add to make it a mocktail?! Thanks so much!
Hi Rebecca! I would use a little more cider and then top it off with your fave sparkling water or maybe even sprite! xT
Made these yesterday for Thanksgiving. I went a little light on mine with the booze, so I could have more than one! Absolutely divine and so simple. What a treat, thank you!
Hi Tara,
Thanks for making this recipe and your comment, so glad it was enjoyed! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xx
Made this for Thanksgiving 2023! So TASTY! And it was super cool to watch the smoky cinnamon stick.
Thanks so much Rachelle! Love to hear that you enjoyed this recipe! Cheers! xx
This drink is my new go to! I made a pitcher for a halloween party with Mezcal (400 Conejos) and used Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao for the orange liquor and omg! Compliments all around and dont skip the burnt cinnamon stick and rim! Making it again for Thanksgiving!
Hey Amanda,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this dish turned out well for you, thanks for making it and your feedback! xT