Mezcal Apple Cider Margaritas are sweet, smoky, and so very delicious. They're rimmed with cinnamon, sugar, and salt, for a tasty contrast to the flavors of the drink itself.
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What is mezcal?
You can think about mezcal as sort of being like... tequila's smoky-flavored cousin.
Both spirits are made from agave. BUT while mezcal can be made from many varieties of the agave plant, tequila can only be made from one specific kind (and has to be made in specific regions of Mexico). In addition, the agave that's used to make tequila is steamed in ovens, while the agave that's used to make mezcal is often roasted in underground pits. This is what imparts that signature smoky flavor.
You can drink straight it straight or add it to mixed drinks, like I've done here. It's a fun way to mix things up a bit as a replacement for tequila, but also a perfectly delicious spirit in its own right.
How does this drink come together?
It's pretty simple! You will start by rimming your glass(es) with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar, and salt. I know that salt is the traditional garnish for margs, but cinnamon and sugar just felt right, too. It's Fall!
Carefully add ice cubes to your rimmed glasses. Then, add your liquors, lime juice, and apple cider to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake, shake, shake until super cold.
Strain the marg into your rimmed glass and garnish with apple slices (yay edible garnishes!) and some cinnamon sticks, if you're feeling fancy. Next, sip and enjoy. Cheers!
Looking for similar drinks?
Okay, so I've got Apple Cider Margaritas that use tequila, too. Definitely check them out. And don't forget about Apple Cider Mimosas.
And alright, I know that this isn't a drink, but please make some Apple Cider Donuts. You won't regret it.
I've also showed you a really delicious Grilled Mezcal Margarita. Grilling + smoky mezcal just seem to go together.
✨ Recipe
Mezcal Apple Cider Margaritas
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon-Sugar-Salt Rim
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Margarita
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 0.75 oz triple sec
- 4 oz apple cider
- 1 lime juiced
- cinnamon sticks and thin slices of apple for garnish
Instructions
To make the Cinnamon-Sugar-Salt Rim
- Combine the sugar, salt, and cinnamon on a small plate or in a shallow bowl.
- Put a few tablespoons of water on another small plate or shallow bowl. Dip the rim of the glass in the water.
- Dip the damp rim of the glass in the sugar/salt/cinnamon.
- Carefully add ice cubes to the glass. Set aside.
To make the Apple Cider Mezcal Margaritas
- Add the mezcal, triple sec, apple cider, and lime juice in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until very cold (5-10 seconds).
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple slices.
Notes
- You can sub tequila for the mezcal if that's all that you have, or if that's your preference
- I garnished my drinks with sweet-tart honey crisp apple slices, but use whatever variety of apple you have! It's all delicious.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is a generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
What should I have on hand to make this?
- A cocktail shaker
- A jigger, for measuring booze + apple cider
- A citrus squeezer that I seriously love and use all.the.time.
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Pin this recipe for later!
Long
Made this last night – the cider cut the taste of the mezcal by a ton which was welcomed! Thanks for sharing
laurenpacek
So glad that you liked it!!
Jon
It was ok… kinda weird with the mezcal and apple cider. Used half the lime suggested and a little less apple cider. Still too sweet. Flavors were pretty good but felt like they didn’t jive together. I’d recommend if you don’t mind really sweet but I would tweak the recipe to what works for you. Personally, I’d prefer just a splash of apple cider. I prefer bourbon so I will try to work this recipe into a bourbon apple cider.