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Best Spiced Apple Cider Margarita (Easy 5-Minute Cocktail)

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A quick and easy fall cocktail combining blanco tequila, fresh apple cider, and warm spices like ginger and cinnamon. Ready in 5 minutes, this crowd-pleasing drink is naturally gluten-free and perfect for autumn entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ounces blanco tequila
  • 1 ounce fresh apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • ¾ ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau or triple sec)
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ ounce maple syrup (grade A amber)
  • 1 thin slice fresh ginger (about the size of a quarter)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 whole star anise (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sugar (turbinado or demerara)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for rim)
  • 1 cinnamon stick (for garnish)
  • 1 thin apple slice (Fuji or Honeycrisp)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the glass rim: On a small plate, combine 1 tablespoon coarse sugar with ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Run a lime wedge around the rim of your serving glass, then dip the rim into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Set aside.
  2. Muddle the ginger: Place the thin slice of fresh ginger into a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle 3-4 times to release juices without turning it into a paste.
  3. Add liquid ingredients: Pour in the blanco tequila, fresh apple cider, orange liqueur, lime juice, and maple syrup. Add the ground cinnamon and whole star anise (if using).
  4. Shake with ice: Fill the shaker with ice cubes (about three-quarters full). Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the shaker feels frosty.
  5. Strain and serve: Place a fine-mesh strainer over the prepared glass and pour the cocktail in. For an on-the-rocks version, fill the glass with fresh ice before straining. For a straight-up version, serve in a chilled coupe.
  6. Garnish and enjoy: Add a cinnamon stick and float a thin apple slice on top. If using, place the star anise in the drink as garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t over-muddle the ginger—just a few gentle presses. Chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before serving. Adjust sweetness based on your apple cider: if it’s very sweet, reduce maple syrup to 1 teaspoon. Always use fresh lime juice. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. For a smoky variation, substitute reposado tequila or mezcal. For a non-alcoholic version, use 2 ounces non-alcoholic spirit and 1 ounce strong brewed chai tea. To make a pitcher for 8 servings, multiply all liquid ingredients by 8, add ginger slices and cinnamon, refrigerate 30 minutes, then serve over ice.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider margarita, spiced margarita, fall cocktail, easy cocktail, 5-minute cocktail, gluten-free cocktail, ginger margarita

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/best-spiced-apple-cider-margarita-easy-5-minute-cocktail/