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Smoky Apple Cider Paloma. Homemade cinnamon honey mixed with apple cider, grapefruit juice, tequila, and mezcal. It’s just a touch smoky, sweet, and spicy – the perfect winter drink. Top this festive paloma with sweet, bubbly ginger beer for a fizzy, festive touch. Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and all of your upcoming holiday parties. You can even make it a mocktail if you prefer! Or mix up a large batch to serve to family and friends this season. This is so easy to create.
If there’s a drink I serve on repeat, it is a Paloma. I usually prefer a Paloma over a margarita because they tend to be less sweet. Many years ago, I shared a Pomegranate Ginger Paloma, which is one of my most loved and popular drink recipes. It’s a holiday staple for so many of you, and I couldn’t love that more!
I make it every holiday season, but I prefer the Spicy Pomegranate Paloma. It’s my favorite, but if you prefer a non-spicy drink, you have to try the original Pomegranate Ginger Paloma. Both are so great!
And now we have today’s Smoky Apple Cider Paloma! Totally different, but so delicious! I can’t believe this is the first time I’ve made an apple cider paloma. It’s soo good!
Throughout the fall and winter months I love to use Mezcal in place of tequila for a warmer, smokier cocktail. This Paloma uses both silver tequila and Mezcal, it’s a perfect balance and with the sweet apple cider, it so delicious!
I plan to share this with my family over Thanksgiving. It’s a small group this year and I know my mom will love this! Plus, it’s fun, easy, and festive. So excited to share this recipe with you all.
Here are the details
Ingredients – for the cocktail
- honey
- cinnamon sticks
- apple cider
- grapefruit juice
- lime juice
- silver tequila
- mezcal
- ginger beer
- apple slices and sugared rosemary, for serving
For the mocktail
- honey
- cinnamon sticks
- apple cider
- grapefruit juice
- lime juice
- apple cider vinegar
- ginger beer
- apple slices and sugared rosemary, for serving
Ingredients for the Rim – this is optional
- coarse sugar
- granulated sugar
- chipotle chile powder
- ground cinnamon
Special Tools
None! All you need is a small pot for the honey and a glass jar to mix your cocktail.
Steps
Step 1: make the cinnamon honey
This is a a mix of honey and whole cinnamon sticks simmered together with water. This is my favorite sweet cocktail syrup. It really pairs so well with all holiday drinks!
To add even more flavor, you can add a star anise for an extra peppery spicy kick. It’s fun!
Step 2: the sweet and smoky sugar rim
We all know I love to add a special sparkle to each holiday cocktail. For this drink, it’s the smoky chipotle sugar around the rim of each glass.
This is not a must-make, but I always include it because it’s so fun – and of course, yummy. It’s a mix of coarse sugar, granulated sugar, ground chipotle powder, and then a small amount of warm cinnamon.
This really makes this Paloma sparkle with holiday cheer!
Step 3: mix the drink
Mix the apple cider, grapefruit juice, lime, tequila, and mezcal. Add as much cinnamon honey as you’d like, then top the drink off with ginger beer (my absolute favorite). It’s very bubbly and adds just the right amount of spicy sweetness.
If you want to make a mocktail
Don’t worry, I have you covered! You can replace the tequila and Mezcal with additional apple cider and grapefruit juice. If you’d like to add a little more zing to your drink, use apple cider vinegar.
It’s smoky, sweet, and full of wonderful warming holiday flavors from apple cider, to honey, to cinnamon. This Paloma is such a fun festive drink to mix up for any holiday party. The cinnamon honey makes enough for at least 6 drinks, but can easily be doubled (or tripled), for a large batch of drinks.
Make enough for everyone and enjoy!
Looking for other easy Thanksgiving cocktails?? Here are my favorites:
Spicy Pomegranate Ginger Paloma
Lastly, if you make this Smoky Apple Cider Paloma, 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!
Smoky Apple Cider Paloma (with mocktail)
Servings: 1
Calories Per Serving: 130 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Smoky Sweet Rim (optional)
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1. To make the cinnamon honey syrup, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, simmer for 1-2 minutes and remove from the heat. Let cool. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2. On a small plate, mix the coarse sugar, sugar, chipotle powder, and a pinch of cinnamon. Run a grapefruit or lime wedge around the rim of your glass and dip into the sugar mix.3. Fill your glass with ice. Add the apple cider, grapefruit juice, lime juice, cinnamon honey, tequila, and Mezcal. Stir to combine, then top with ginger beer. If desired, add a cinnamon stick, sugared rosemary, and apple slices. Enjoy!4. To Make a Mocktail: omit the tequila and mezcal. Add 1 tablespoon of additional apple cider (or apple cider vinegar for a little zing) with 1 tablespoon of additional grapefruit juice, and 2 tablespoons of additional ginger beer.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Gently run rosemary sprigs under a little water to dampen and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the rosemary with granulated sugar on all sides, making sure the rosemary is thoroughly coated in sugar. Allow to dry on the baking sheet for 1 hour. The rosemary can be made 1 day in advance and stored at room temperature.
Apple Cider Paloma Pitcher
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 130 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. To make the cinnamon honey syrup, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and cinnamon sticks to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, simmer for 1-2 minutes and then remove from the heat. Let cool. Store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.2. In a large pitcher, add the apple cider, grapefruit juice, lime juice, tequila, Mezcal, and cinnamon honey syrup. Chill until ready to serve.3. When ready to serve, if desired, rim glasses in smoky sugar (recipe above) and fill with ice. Pour the Paloma into prepared glasses. Top with ginger beer.4. To Make a Mocktail: omit the tequila and Mezcal. Add 3/4 cup additional apple cider, 1/2 cup additional grapefruit juice, and 3/4 cup additional ginger beer.
