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Autumn Aperol Apple Cider Margarita. This cozy, sweet, and warming fall margarita consists of mezcal or tequila mixed with citrusy Aperol, orange liquor, spiced apple cider, and fresh-squeezed lime juice. To finish this warm and smoky margarita off, add apple slices and a smoking cinnamon stick. You can also make the drink a mocktail with my yummy mocktail variation recipe!
This is crazy town, but today I’m sharing the first of many fall/winter holiday cocktails! With Halloween coming up on Thursday, the time has come to switch from my spooky cocktails to cocktails that feel a bit more elegant for the season ahead.
I debated sharing another spooky drink with something nice for Thanksgiving. But in the end, this margarita excited me far too much!
I developed this drink a year ago and never had a chance to share it before the season ended.
I can’t wait for you all to try this one! It’s similar to my original apple cider margarita, but this margarita incorporates citrusy Aperol—a perfect pairing with the warm notes of cinnamon and spice!
These are the details
Ingredients
For a sugar rim
- coarse sugar
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- orange wedges
The Margarita
- mezcal or silver tequila
- Aperol
- orange liquor
- apple cider
- lime juice
- apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, these are for garnish
Ingredients – for the Mocktail
- lime juice
- apple cider
- orange juice
- vanilla extract
- apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, these are for garnish
Steps
Step 1: mix the sugar
It’s just coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Nothing makes a drink feel more magical than a sparkly rim. I love making festive rims for both flavor and aesthetics.
Rub an orange wedge around your glass, then dip the glass into the sugar.
Step 2: the margarita
This one is quick! Shake together mezcal or tequila with Aperol, apple cider, and lime juice. You can use either mezcal or tequila.
Personally, I love the warmth the mezcal adds to a fall margarita, but do what tastes yummiest to you!
Step 3: garnishes
Add ice to the sugar-rimmed glass, then pour over the margarita.
Add a couple of apple slices, maybe a star anise if you have one, and a cinnamon stick. I always light my cinnamon sticks on fire to create the most wonderful scent.
This margarita is super inviting and cozy. Perfect for entertaining guests!
I hope you love this one! And bring on all the holiday cocktails. I’m so excited to share new creations this season! My list is a mile long!
Looking for other fall cocktail recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Haunted Pumpkin Patch Margarita
“I put a Spell on You” Poison Apple Martini
Lastly, if you make this Autumn Aperol Apple Cider Margarita, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Autumn Aperol Apple Cider Margarita (+Mocktail)
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 380 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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1. In a bowl, mix the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Rub an orange wedge around the rim of a glass. Dip the glass into the sugar mix.2. Fill the glass with ice.3. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila/mezcal, Aperol, orange liquor, lime juice, and apple cider. Add ice and shake to combine – strain into the sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with apple slices, star anise, and a cinnamon stick. If desired, light the cinnamon stick on fire for a smoky effect. This smells really good! To Make a Mocktail: omit the tequila, Aperol, and orange liquor. Use 2 additional tablespoons of apple cider or sparkling apple cider. Mix with 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract.
