If you’re on the hunt for a cocktail that perfectly captures the cozy vibes of fall but still has that lively margarita punch, then you’re going to love this Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe. I’ve made it more times than I can count during crisp autumn evenings, and I can honestly say it’s a fan-freaking-tastic way to shake up your usual margarita game. With a rim that’s sweet, spicy, and downright addictive, plus a mix of apple cider and warm cinnamon, it’s a cocktail that feels like a hug in a glass. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to invite everyone over just to share it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unique Flavor Twist: The blend of apple cider and cinnamon sugar rim takes your margarita to the next seasonal level.
- Easy to Make: Simple ingredients come together quickly with straightforward steps.
- Perfect for Fall Gatherings: This cocktail brings cozy warmth but stays refreshing and fun.
- Great Presentation: The cinnamon sugar rim adds not just flavor but a delightful look.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe all work together to create a balanced cocktail with just the right amount of sweetness, spice, and kick. Using fresh apple cider makes a big difference, and if you want to keep things authentic, try to get good quality cinnamon for the rim.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar works best for the rim to give a nice, sweet crunch.
- Ground Cinnamon: Freshly ground cinnamon amps up that warm spice flavor.
- Lime Wedges: For moistening the glass rim before dipping it in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Apple Cider: Fresh or store-bought, just avoid anything overly sweetened or filtered.
- Tequila: A good quality blanco tequila shines here—it adds brightness without overpowering the cider.
- Apple Butter: This is a secret weapon in the recipe that adds depth and a luscious apple flavor.
- Agave Syrup (optional): Use it if you want a sweeter cocktail, but the cider and apple butter already add good natural sweetness.
- Cointreau: This orange liqueur adds a lovely citrus note and a touch of complexity.
- Ice: For chilling and shaking the cocktail to perfection.
- Optional Garnishes: Cinnamon sticks and fresh apple slices bring an extra festive touch.
Variations
I’ve had a blast tweaking this Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe over the years. Feel free to play around with the ingredients to find your perfect balance—every twist adds something fun and different!
- Spice it up: Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon sugar rim for a little kick; it’s surprisingly addictive!
- Make it sparkling: Top your finished margarita with a splash of sparkling water or club soda for a bubbly twist.
- Non-alcoholic version: Leave out the tequila and Cointreau, and add a bit more apple cider and apple butter for a delicious mocktail.
- Use spiced rum: If tequila isn’t your thing, spiced rum works beautifully and deepens the warm notes.
How to Make Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Cinnamon Sugar Rim with Love
Start off by stirring together the sugar and ground cinnamon in a shallow bowl. Here’s the trick I learned the hard way: don’t rush the glass rim. Run a lime wedge all around the lip of your margarita glass until it’s nicely moistened, then gently dunk the rim into the cinnamon sugar. Swirl it to coat evenly, and set the glasses aside for a couple of minutes to let the rim harden up—this keeps the sugar from sliding off once the cocktail goes in.
Step 2: Shake Up the Magic
Now for the fun part! Combine your apple cider, tequila, apple butter, agave syrup, and Cointreau in a cocktail shaker. Fill it right up with ice—the more, the colder and frothier your drink will be. Pop on the lid and shake like you mean it until the outside of the shaker frosts over. This chilling is key to that refreshing taste you want in a great margarita.
Step 3: Pour and Garnish to Impress
Strain your beautifully shaken margarita into the cinnamon sugar rimmed glasses. For an extra seasonal pop, I love adding a cinnamon stick and a few thin apple slices. They don’t just look good—they subtly infuse extra aroma as you sip. Now kick back and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Making Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe
- Patience with the Rim: Letting the cinnamon sugar rim dry for at least 2 minutes before filling the glass helps prevent sugar from dissolving too quickly — giving you that perfect first sip every time.
- Shake It Like You Mean It: A vigorous shake chills and dilutes the cocktail just enough, balancing the flavors without watering it down.
- Fresh Apple Butter Matters: Using good-quality apple butter makes a huge difference to the richness and depth of the margarita’s flavor.
- Avoid Overly Sweet Cider: Too-sweet apple cider can mask the tequila’s bite, so opt for a natural, crisp cider instead.
How to Serve Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe
Garnishes
I love using cinnamon sticks and thin apple slices to garnish this margarita—not just because they look inviting, but also because they add an aromatic boost right at the rim of the glass. Sometimes I toss in a small sprig of fresh rosemary for a hint of evergreen freshness that pairs beautifully with cinnamon and apple flavors.
Side Dishes
This cocktail goes so well with cozy appetizers like baked brie with cranberry chutney, spiced nuts, or even little bite-sized apple and cheddar skewers. My family particularly loves pairing it with a warm butternut squash soup when we serve it during Thanksgiving gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive party, I’ve rimmed cocktails with cinnamon sugar and added a little edible gold glitter to make it pop under lights. Using clear glass mugs instead of classic margarita glasses can also give it a cute, rustic vibe—perfect if you’re serving these near a fire pit or on a chilly porch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I always recommend making the Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe fresh, as the flavors and frosty texture shine best right away. However, if you do have leftovers, keep them in a chilled, airtight container in the fridge and consume within 24 hours—just skip the cinnamon sugar rim until serving.
Freezing
Freezing this margarita isn’t my favorite option because the texture changes and the apple butter can separate, but if you want to try a frozen twist, blend the ingredients (minus the cinnamon sugar rim) with ice and enjoy immediately as a slushy treat.
Reheating
This is a chilled cocktail, so reheating isn’t really ideal. If you’re craving those flavors warm, try adapting the ingredients into a mulled cider instead and add a shot of tequila for warmth.
FAQs
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Can I use hard apple cider instead of non-alcoholic cider?
You totally can! Using hard apple cider will add extra alcohol content and a different flavor profile, making your Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe a bit stronger and more complex. Just adjust the tequila slightly to avoid it being too boozy.
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What’s the best way to get a thick cinnamon sugar rim?
Make sure your glasses are thoroughly moistened with lime juice and then gently press them into the cinnamon sugar instead of swirling too aggressively. Let the rims dry for a few minutes before pouring the cocktail to help the sugar set and prevent it from falling off.
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Can I prepare this margarita without apple butter?
While the apple butter adds a lovely richness and improves texture, you can omit it if needed. Just be prepared for a slightly thinner drink and consider adding a touch more agave syrup for sweetness.
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Is there a non-alcoholic version of this Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe?
Yes! Simply skip the tequila and Cointreau, increase the apple cider and apple butter slightly, and perhaps add a splash of sparkling water for an extra refreshing touch. The cinnamon sugar rim remains just as delicious.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe has become my go-to cozy cocktail every fall, and I’m so excited to share it with you. It’s a wonderful balance of sweet, spicy, and spirited that never fails to impress friends and family alike. Whether you’re hosting a party or just winding down after a crisp day, this drink hits all the right notes. Give it a try—I promise it’ll become one of your favorites, too!
Print
Apple Cider Margarita with Cinnamon Sugar Rim Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 margaritas
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Cider Margarita combines the crisp sweetness of apple cider with the bold flavors of tequila and apple butter, enhanced by a delightful cinnamon sugar rim. Perfect for fall gatherings or cozy evenings, this cocktail offers a refreshing twist on the classic margarita with warm spice notes and a touch of sweetness.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Sugar Rim:
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 lime wedges
Margarita Ingredients:
- ¾ cup apple cider (6 ounces)
- 3 ounces tequila
- 2 Tablespoons apple butter
- 1 Tablespoon agave syrup (optional, add for a sweeter cocktail)
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1-2 cups ice (for cocktail shaking and serving)
Optional Garnishes:
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- Apple slices
Instructions
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Rim: Mix the sugar and ground cinnamon together in a shallow bowl. Use a lime wedge to moisten the rim of each cocktail glass by running the wedge around the edges. Dip the rim of the glasses into the cinnamon sugar mixture, swirling to coat thoroughly. Set the glasses aside for at least 2 minutes to allow the rim to harden before adding the cocktail.
- Mix the Margarita: Combine the apple cider, tequila, apple butter, agave syrup (if using), and Cointreau in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker to the top with ice. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted, indicating the drink is well chilled and mixed.
- Serve the Cocktail: Strain the margarita mixture evenly into the prepared cinnamon sugar-rimmed glasses. Add optional garnishes such as cinnamon sticks and apple slices for an attractive and aromatic presentation. Serve immediately for the best taste experience.
Notes
- Margaritas are best enjoyed immediately and do not store well as leftovers.
- To adjust sweetness, modify the amount of agave syrup or omit entirely based on preference.
- Using fresh apple cider will yield the best flavor compared to processed variants.
- For a stronger cinnamon aroma, add a cinnamon stick inside the shaker during mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 margarita
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
