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Perfect Apple Cider Margarita Easy 15-Minute Recipe

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A perfectly balanced apple cider margarita with a cinnamon sugar rim that’s ready in 15 minutes. This five-ingredient cocktail is the ultimate fall drink—bright, crisp, and just a little bit indulgent.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz blanco tequila (Espolòn or Casamigos recommended)
  • 1 oz fresh apple cider (unfiltered, refrigerated)
  • ¾ oz fresh lime juice
  • ½ oz orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier preferred)
  • ½ oz maple syrup (Grade A amber)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • Lime wedge (for rim)
  • Thin apple slice (for garnish, honeycrisp or fuji)
  • Cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)
  • Ice cubes

Instructions

  1. Make the cinnamon sugar rim: Combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon on a small plate. Stir with a fork until evenly mixed. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip the rim into the cinnamon sugar mixture, twisting gently to coat. Set aside.
  2. Fill the glass with ice: Add a handful of ice cubes to your prepared glass to chill it and keep the rim intact.
  3. Combine the liquid ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, add blanco tequila, fresh apple cider, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, and maple syrup. Add lime juice last to adjust for tartness.
  4. Add ice and shake: Fill the shaker with ice cubes (about three-quarters full). Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds until the shaker feels cold.
  5. Strain and serve: Strain the margarita into your prepared glass over fresh ice. If you don’t have a strainer, hold the shaker lid slightly ajar to let liquid through while catching ice.
  6. Garnish and enjoy: Float a thin apple slice on top. Add a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t skip the maple syrup—it adds depth that simple syrup can’t match. Use fresh apple cider, not apple juice, for the best flavor. Shake, don’t stir, to aerate and dissolve the maple syrup. Chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before starting for a colder drink. Taste before serving and adjust sweetness or tartness as needed. For a smoky variation, swap tequila for mezcal. For a non-alcoholic version, replace tequila and orange liqueur with sparkling apple cider and a splash of orange juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider margarita, fall cocktail, cinnamon sugar rim, easy margarita recipe, 15-minute cocktail, apple cider drink, tequila cocktail

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/perfect-apple-cider-margarita-easy-15-minute-recipe/