Whether you’re looking for a festive fall drink or just want to switch up your usual margarita recipe, this apple cider margarita is sure to fit the bill. Made with fresh apple cider, tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, this cocktail is a delicious and unique twist on the classic margarita. Whip up two cocktails at a time or mix up a large pitcher for get-togethers. Either way, these will be a hit!

Ingredients in Apple Cider Margarita

  • Apple Cider: for the best flavor, use fresh apple cider when it’s in season and easy to find. If you’re making this recipe outside of fall, it may be harder to find apple cider. In that case, seek out the highest quality, least-processed apple juice you can find. Use any leftover apple cider to make our Red Wine Apple Cider Sangria!
  • Tequila: we like to use tequila blanco in this apple cider margarita. It’s clean and smooth in flavor and allows the apple cider to take center stage. For a cozier, deeper-flavored margarita use Reposado tequila.
  • Fresh lime: fresh citrus juice is key to a good margarita! To get the most out of your limes, look for limes that have a smooth skin and are slightly soft when squeezed.
  • Orange Liqueur: orange liqueur is a class margarita ingredient. If you want the cocktail to be more citrus-forward, use Cointreau. For a drink that’s slightly cozier and more nuanced, use Grand Marnier.

What’s the Difference Between Apple Cider and Apple Juice?

Apple cider is a seasonal drink made from fresh pressed apples. To maintain the flavor, apple cider is unfiltered and generally unpasteurized. Because it’s unpasteurized, it doesn’t have a long shelf life, making it very seasonal to fall.

Apple juice is both filtered and pasteurized, giving it a much longer shelf life than apple cider. The filtration also tends to make it smoother and more sweet.

orange-hued cocktail in a rocks glass with ice and garnished with apple slices. Glasses set on a wood cutting board.

What type of Apple Cider to Use?

First and foremost, use what you can find! In the autumn months, seek out local fresh apple cider for the best flavor.

If you’re making this outside of fall feel free to use a high-quality apple juice. Just make sure the only ingredient is apples.

Avoid using any apple cider with added flavors or any apple juice made other fruit juices.

How to Make a Margarita with Apple Cider

One of the reasons this is such a hit with friends and family is that this cocktail feels very unique and festive but is just as easy to make as a regular margarita.

To balance the added sweetness and juice from the addition of apple cider, we up the amount of tequila by half an ounce per cocktail. We also skip any additional sweetener (agave) and decrease the orange liqueur a touch.

With those small changes in mind, everything else is simple. Add to a cocktail with ice, shake, strain and enjoy!

How to Make a Pitcher of Cider Margs

  1. In a large pitcher, combine 24 ounces apple cider, 16 ounces tequila, 8 ounces lime juice and 4 ounces orange liqueur.
  2. Add ½ cup ice and stir until completely dissolved.
  3. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  4. Serve over ice in rocks glasses rimmed with spiced salt.
  5. Garnish with apple slices and enjoy.
orange-hued cocktail in a rocks glass with ice and garnished with apple slices. Glasses set on a wood cutting board.

What to Serve with Apple Cider Margaritas

Serve a robust chip and dip spread including our go-to Guacamole Recipe, Fresh Tomato-Chipotle Salsa, and Salsa Verde.

Make any one of our incredible taco recipes. We love to pair these margaritas with our Blackened Fish Tacos, Grilled Steak Tacos or Tacos Gobernador.

Our Albóndigas Soup is a must-try and perfect for cozier weather.

More Margarita Recipes to Try

One of our favorite margaritas is this Italian Margarita. It’s made with a trio of citrus juices and a splash of amaretto. It’s deliciously addictive for sure!

For another cozy-weather margarita, try our popular Spiced Pear Margarita. She’s and absolute show-stopper.

In the summer, whip up our Maíz Tierno or Sweet Corn Margarita.

And in the spring, Carrot Margaritas are on the docket! Or use late-spring rhubarb to make our Rhubarb Margaritas!

FAQ

What’s the best tequila to use?

As we always say, the “best” tequila to use is one you enjoy. For this cocktail we like to use tequila blanco and our go-to tequila is either Cazadores or Don Julio.

What can be used as a substitute for cider?

If you’re making this outside of fall feel and can’t find fresh apple cider, you can use a high-quality apple juice. Just make sure the only ingredient is apples.

Apple Cider Margarita Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Yield 2 cocktails
Category Drinks / Cocktails
Cuisine Mexican Inspired

Description

A sweet-tart margarita recipe made with apple cider for a fall-inspired cocktail.

Ingredients

For 2 Cocktails

  • 6 ounces apple cider
  • 4 ounces tequila blanco
  • 2 ounces fresh lime juice
  • 1 ounces orange liqueur, such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier
  • Flaky sea salt (or sugar) and apple pie spice, for rim

For Pitcher of Cocktails (8 servings)

  • 24 ounces (3 cups) apple cider
  • 16 ounces (2 cups) tequila blanco
  • 8 ounces (1 cup) lime juice
  • 4 ounces (½ cup) orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier

Instructions

Rim Glasses

  • In a shallow bowl, mix together a bit of salt (or sugar) and a pinch of apple pie spice.
  • Run a lime wedge around rims of glasses then dip in salt-spice mixture.
  • Fill glasses with ice.

Two Apple Cider Margaritas

  • Add 6 ounces apple cider, 4 ounces tequila, 2 ounces lime juice and 1 ounce orange liqueur to a shaker filled with ice.
  • Secure lid and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds.
  • Strain cocktail into two rocks glasses filled with ice.
  • Garnish with apple slices and serve.

Pitcher of Margaritas

  • In a large pitcher, combine 24 ounces apple cider, 16 ounces tequila, 8 ounces lime juice and 4 ounces orange liqueur.
  • Add ½ cup ice and stir until completely dissolved.
  • Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Serve over ice in rocks glasses rimmed with spiced salt. Garnish with apple slices and enjoy.

Video

Notes

The pitcher of margaritas can be made up to 1 day ahead of time. Store it covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cocktailCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 12gSodium: 3mgSugar: 10g
Like this? Leave a comment below!I love hearing from you and I want to hear how it went with this recipe! Leave a comment and rating below, then share on social media @zestful-kitchen and #zestfulkitchen!
orange-hued cocktail in a rocks glass with ice and garnished with apple slices. Glasses set on a wood cutting board.

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About The Author

Lauren Grant is a professional culinary food scientist, food writer, recipe developer, and food photographer. Lauren is a previous magazine editor and test kitchen developer and has had work published in major national publications including Diabetic Living Magazine, Midwest Living Magazine, Cuisine at Home Magazine, EatingWell.com, AmericasTestKitchen.com, and more.

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