Happy Friday and Happy Halloween! I’m absolutely leaning into fall this week. Once again, when this time of year rolls around, I go hard into mixing apple cider into drinks and this week is no different. I decided to try my hand at an apple cider margarita, inspired by the few* of those I had at a wedding we attended a couple weeks ago. I didn’t even bother consulting the cocktail library since this twist more than likely would not be found. The internet predictably had many, and I settled on combining a couple into the recipe that I think sounded the best:

2 oz. tequila

.75 oz. triple sec

.75 oz. lime juice

2 oz. apple cider

Add ingredients to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir. Strain into a rocks glass (optionally rimmed with cinnamon and sugar) with one ice cube.

The aroma isnt very strong, but the tequila is definitely noticeable. I can get some of the apple notes in there too. It’s an interesting scent mixture going on here, but I think I like it. The cider and tequila play nicely with each other.

This is nice. The tequila leads the way, but it’s intensity is definitely held back by the equal measure of the cider. What does come through from the tequila, is complimented very nicely by the cider. In turn, the cider can’t take over either, as the sweetness from the cider is covered by the tequila. What makes this really close to the margarita though, is the lime. The fresh lime juice kind of lurks underneath the other two star players early on, it really starts to shine as the cider flavor abates. Then, when it mixes with the tequila, do you get the classic margarita flavor. The triple sec kind of gets lost here. I’m wondering if it’s addition is for the finish here, when the lime and tequila take over and the cider flavors fade away, to mimic a regular margarita.

That’s the finish right there. Classic margarita flavors, with hints of leftover cider. This is an excellent fall twist on a classic cocktail that I just might end up batching and serving at Thanksgiving this year.

*Many. Many were consumed.

(Banner image courtesy Matthew Tetrault Photography)