Easy Apple Cider Margarita Recipe

How to make an apple cider margarita recipe.  This easy recipe has hard cider and tequila for a delicious fall cocktail recipe.  You can make it by the glass or in a pitcher for a crowd.

Hard Cider Margarita

My favorite part of fall is when the apple cider jugs start hitting the stores.  If I'm lucky, I can score a jug of fresh pressed apple cider from the Amish just off the press.

We did invest in a large apple cider press, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet.  Our apples didn't do well this year.  I'm not sure it was the hot weather or what, but I don't have enough to use the press.  

Thankfully, I can still get apple cider from the Amish and from local orchards.  One orchard has apple cider slushies, so my daughter and I go each year to get one.

For more apple cider cocktails, check out these posts:

• Apple Cider Mimosa
• Fall Punch Recipe With Crown Royal
• Easy Apple Cider Sangria
• Caramel Apple Sangria
• Easy Spiked Apple Cider Cocktail
• Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe
• 35 Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes
• Pomegranate Orange Mimosa

Why You'll Love This Apple Cider Margarita Recipe

This hard cider margarita is an easy recipe that you can make by the glass or by the pitcher.  I made a sparkling apple cider margarita, but you can use regular apple cider.

The cinnamon sugar rim is delicious and complements the hard cider and tequila.  It's optional, but it tastes really good!

What's in a Tequila Apple Cider Margarita?

You make this apple cider margarita recipe similar to a traditional margarita but with apple cider or sparkling cider.

You'll need:

• Tequila
• Triple sec
• Sparkling cider or apple cider
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Lime wedge
• Cinnamon stick and apple slices are optional for garnish
• Cinnamon sugar for rimming the glass

What Type of Apple Cider for Sparkling Apple Cider Margarita?

 

You can use a sparkling apple cider or regular apple cider.  Either way, you will need to use apple cider and not apple juice for the best flavor.

I like to look for a dark colored cider because it tends to have more flavor.  The fresher the jug, the better it will taste.

You can use apple cider straight from the jug or make this easy hot apple cider recipe.  If you use that, you can omit the cinnamon if desired.

You can also use this easy mulled cider recipe with mulling spices.

For a pumpkin apple version, try this pumpkin cider recipe for the base of the recipe.  You can also try Instant Pot apple cider.

What Alcohol is Best With Apple Cider?

You can make apple cider cocktails with nearly any alcohol.  The most popular ones are rum or bourbon.

However, whiskey, vodka, and tequila all work well.  This is a tequila apple cider margarita made with triple sec.

Why Do You need Triple Sec for Margaritas?

I don't use triple sec often, but it's necessary for an apple cider margarita recipe.  Triple sec is an orange liqueur that has both bitter and sweet notes.  It also adds a bit of a fruit flavor.  

Is Triple Sec or Cointreau Better for Margaritas?

You can use either triple sec or cointreau for this spicy apple cider margarita.  Cointreau is more expensive, but it has a smoother taste.  

Triple sec has a sweet orange flavor that complements the apple cider well.  

However, it's personal choice.  I use triple sec because it's cheaper and this is pretty much all that I use it for.

Can You Substitute Vodka for Tequila in a Margarita?

Yes, you can use vodka to make a hard cider margarita.  Tequila is traditionally used, but if you only have vodka, then you can use that.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Rim for Hard Cider Margarita

You don't have to make a cinnamon sugar rim for this apple cider margarita with triple sec, but it's pretty and tastes really good.

To make one, combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon in a shallow bowl or small plate.  You can also use a cinnamon sugar mixture.

Then wet the rim of the glass with water or syrup.  You can use maple syrup or a simple syrup.  You can put the water or syrup on a paper towel and wipe the rim.

Then dip each glass into the cinnamon sugar.  The sugar should stick to the cup.

How to Make Easy Apple Cider Margarita for a Crowd

You can easily make this hard cider and tequila by the cup or for a crowd.  You can double the recipe  or even quadruple it.  

Here's what you need to make 8 servings:

• 2 cups tequila
• 1 cup triple sec
• 2 cups sparkling cider or apple cider

I make an easy apple cider margarita and just pour it into a cup and stir.  However, you can also make a shaken drink.  You'll need to add about three cups of ice to ensure that it gets cold if you shake.

Easy Apple Cider Margarita Ingredients

You will need the following for an apple cider margarita with triple sec:

• 2 ounces tequila
• 1 ounce triple sec
• 2 ounces sparkling cider or apple cider
• Ice cubes
• Apple wedges for garnish
• Cinnamon stick for garnish
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon for rimming the glass (or use cinnamon sugar)
• Lime wedge or water

How to Make Hard Cider Margarita

Step #1

Use the lime wedge to rub around the top of the glass.  

Step #2

Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl and roll the rim of the glass to coat the top of the class.

Step #3

Add 1 or 2 ice cubes to the glass.  Pour in the tequila and triple sec.

Step #4

Top with sparkling cider or apple cider.

Step #5

Add an apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish if desired.

Now you know how to make an easy apple cider margarita!

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