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Perfect Spiced Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim

Spiced Apple Cider Margarita - featured image
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A crisp, spiced fall margarita with fresh apple cider, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, and a crunchy cinnamon sugar rim. It’s the taste of a perfect October afternoon in a glass.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 oz (60 ml) tequila blanco or reposado
  • 3 oz (90 ml) fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
  • 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
  • 1 oz (30 ml) orange liqueur (triple sec or Cointreau)
  • ½ oz (15 ml) maple syrup (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Tiny pinch ground nutmeg
  • Ice (for shaking and serving)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rim)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for rim)
  • Lime wedge (for rim)
  • Thin apple slice (for garnish, optional)
  • Cinnamon stick (for garnish, optional)
  • Star anise (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cinnamon sugar rim: In a small shallow dish, mix 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a rocks glass, then dip the rim into the mixture, twisting gently to coat evenly. Tap off excess. Set aside.
  2. Fill the rimmed glass with fresh ice and set aside.
  3. Build the cocktail in a shaker: Add a generous handful of ice to the shaker. Pour in 2 oz tequila, 3 oz apple cider, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 1 oz orange liqueur. If using, add ½ oz maple syrup. Sprinkle in ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of nutmeg.
  4. Seal the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, until the shaker feels frosty cold.
  5. Strain the margarita through a fine mesh strainer into the prepared glass over the fresh ice.
  6. Garnish with a thin apple slice (cut a slit to slide onto the rim), a cinnamon stick, and a star anise if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use fresh lime juice for best flavor; bottled lime juice can taste flat. If apple cider is very sweet, skip the maple syrup. For a smoky variation, substitute mezcal for tequila. For a non-alcoholic version, omit tequila and orange liqueur and add sparkling water and extra apple cider with a dash of orange bitters. The cinnamon sugar rim softens after about 10 minutes, so rim glasses just before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider margarita, spiced margarita, fall cocktail, cinnamon sugar rim, apple cider cocktail, tequila cocktail, autumn drink

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/perfect-spiced-apple-cider-margarita-with-cinnamon-sugar-rim/