Last weekend I made the most delicious Smoky Apple Cider Margaritas for Friday happy hour. They were so insanely good and I’ve received several requests to share the recipe again — so here it is!

This margarita recipe is perfect to whip up for happy hours this fall, Thanksgiving, football tailgates, and holiday parties ahead. It’s packed with fall flavors and is sure to please a crowd.

Apple Cider Margaritas Ingredients

Mezcal or Tequila: If you like a smoky cocktail, I highly recommend using mezcal. If you don’t love mezcal, you can use your favorite tequila.
Cointreau: You can use triple sec, but I prefer Cointreau.
Apple Cider: Make sure to read the tip below for this!!
Lime Juice: The fresh stuff, not from a bottle. Trust me, it makes a difference.
Maple Syrup: Optional, and just a splash.
Garnish: You can get as creative as you want with the garnish on this cocktail. A few fun ideas include lime slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks and for sure you should include a few sprigs of rosemary.
Sugar Rim: A lot of similar recipes I’ve seen garnish this cocktail with a sugar rim. You can totally add that if you like a sweeter cocktail. However, I personally think the sugar is a distracting flavor when enjoying this marg. It’s just SO good on its own. Do whatever makes you happy though!

Apple Cider Ice Cubes Tip

Odds are high that you purchased a gallon or a half gallon of apple cider for this recipe. I didn’t realize how fast cider goes bad until my fellow margaita-loving friend, McKinsey, shared a tip with me to FREEZE the leftovers in 2 ounce pours! BRILLIANT! Here is a great set of sphere and square ice cube trays.

Smoky Apple Cider Margaritas

Alright, here’s the recipe if you want to print it. And if you love the recipe, come back and rate it! 🙂

Smoky Apple Cider Margaritas

This margarita recipe is perfect to whip up for happy hours this fall, Thanksgiving, football tailgates, and holiday parties ahead. It’s packed with fall flavors.

Ingredients

2 oz mezcal or tequila
.5 oz Cointreau or triple sec
2 oz apple cider
1/2 lime, juiced
optional: splash of maple syrup

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add mezcal, cointreau, apple cider, lime juice, and maple syrup. Shake well then pour in a glass full of ice.
Garnish and serve.

Notes

Mezcal or Tequila: If you like a smoky cocktail, I highly recommend using mezcal. If you don’t love mezcal, you can use your favorite tequila.
Cointreau: You can use triple sec, but I prefer Cointreau.
Apple Cider: You can freeze the leftovers in 2-ounce pours.

Lime Juice: The fresh stuff, not from a bottle. Trust me, it makes a difference.
Maple Syrup: Optional, and just a splash.
Garnish: You can get as creative as you want with the garnish on this cocktail. A few fun ideas include lime slices, apple slices, cinnamon sticks and for sure you should include a few sprigs of rosemary.
Sugar Rim: A lot of similar recipes I’ve seen garnish this cocktail with a sugar rim. You can totally add that if you like a sweeter cocktail. However, I personally think the sugar is a distracting flavor when enjoying this marg. It’s just SO good on its own. Do whatever makes you happy though!