There's no better way to embrace the charm of fall than with an Apple Cider Margarita in hand. Its unique blend of autumn flavors and classic margarita vibes will undoubtedly make it a seasonal favorite.
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Sip into Autumn Bliss with Apple Cider Margaritas
Fall has arrived, bringing with it the enchanting ambiance of crisp air and vibrant foliage. What better way to embrace the season than by sipping on delicious cocktails that capture the essence of autumn?
In this post, we're going to explore the magic of Apple Cider Margaritas, a unique twist on a classic cocktail that promises to be the highlight of your fall festivities.
Equipment Needed
- Cocktail Shaker: For expertly blending your margarita ingredients.
- Margarita Glasses: Now years ago the only way to serve margaritas was in a true margarita glass, these days margaritas are often served in a rocks glass. Honestly your favorite glass will do.
- Citrus Juicer: To extract the freshest flavors from your citrus fruits.
- Ice Maker or Ice Cube Trays: Essential for keeping your margarita refreshingly cold.
- Measuring Tools (Jigger, Measuring Cups): Precision in measurement is the key to a well-balanced cocktail.
Bar Equipment
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Ingredients
- Apple Cider - Start with the star of the show - fresh, high-quality apple cider. Its natural sweetness and rich apple flavor will set the foundation for your drink. For an extra special touch, consider sourcing your apple cider from local orchards or farmer's markets, where you can enjoy the authentic taste of the season.
- Tequila - The choice of tequila can significantly impact the flavor of your margarita. Opt for a high-quality blanco tequila to complement the apple cider's sweetness. I like to use Tres Agave Tequila for mixing up tequila drinks. Tres Agave has no additives (so many brands do) but at a great price point for mixing into margaritas!
- Cointreau - To add that citrusy sweetness and a touch of orange essence, you'll need Cointreau or Triple Sec, both orange liqueurs. These will harmonize beautifully with the other ingredients. I like to stick with the brand cointreau because of the high quality they put out but you can also use any kind of triple sec. (Triple Sec isn't a brand, it's an orange liquor, so you will find a few different options. On the other hand cointreau is a brand name.)
- Fresh Lime Juice - Nothing beats the zing of freshly squeezed lime juice. It's a vital element to achieve that perfect balance of acidity and freshness. Jarred lime juice usually contains preservatives and also becomes more sour as it sits on the shelf.
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup - Elevate your apple cider margarita with a hint of warm and aromatic cinnamon. Making cinnamon simple syrup is easy and adds a cozy touch to your cocktail.
- Cinnamon and Sugar - For a garnish a cinnamon stick is a wonderful addition, enhancing the drink with a subtle, spicy aroma. Don't forget the rim! – make a fun rim of cinnamon sugar for a touch of sweetness and elegance.
- Ice - of course ice is essential to control the margarita's dilution and maintain its chill. Take it up a notch by using apple cider ice cubes for an extra burst of apple flavor with each sip.
Instructions for The Perfect Apple Cider Margarita Recipe
To a cocktail shaker add a handful of ice, the apple cider, tequila, cointreau, cinnamon simple syrup, and lime juice. Cover and shake until very cold about 10 seconds.
To apply the cinnamon sugar rim to the glass on a small plate mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Use the leftover lime half to moisten the edge of the glass, gently dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar.
Add ice to the glass and pour in the apple cider margarita. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Tips, Tricks and Questions
Creative Variations
If you're feeling adventurous, consider trying a smoky apple cider margarita by replacing half of the tequila with mezcal. This variation adds a delightful smoky note to your drink.
How is apple cider different than apple juice?
Apple cider which is used in this drink is fresh, unfiltered, and often unpasteurized. It's also considered a seasonal drink and can be hard to find outside of the autumn months. Apple juice, is filtered and pasteurized, which gives it a longer shelf life, a sweeter taste, and a smoother texture.
If you like Apple Cider Margaritas you might also like:
Apple Cider Margarita
Perfect for the fall this simple apple cider margarita features apple cider and cinnamon simple syrup for a perfect beverage!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- ¾ ounce Cointreau
- ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice
For the rim:
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- To a cocktail shaker add a handful of ice, the apple cider, tequila, cointreau, cinnamon simple syrup, and lime juice. Cover and shake until very cold about 10 seconds.
- To apply the cinnamon sugar rim to the glass on a small plate mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Use the leftover lime half to moisten the edge of the glass, gently dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar.
- Add ice to the glass and pour in the apple cider margarita. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Notes
Cinnamon simple syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 cinnamon sticks
>Add everything to a small saucepan. Bring to a light boil, whisk sugar until it is fully dissolved. Let simmer for 3 minutes, remove from the heat and let cool. Keep cinnamon sticks in the syrup when storing.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 889Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 188gFiber: 8gSugar: 172gProtein: 1g
Nutritional data is automated and might not be 100% accurate, final nutritional information will depend on ingredients used and any changes made.
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