The Best Fall Margarita: A Harvest Apple Flavor

If you're looking for a sweet and festive drink for autumn, check out this Harvest Apple Fall Margarita! It's an absolute must try cocktail!

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Why You'll Love This

Margaritas are a versatile drink that can be customized for any season. While the base of tequila, lime, and a sweetener remains, adding fruit juices transforms the flavor! Whatever your desires are, you can most certainly make it happen with this base! For spring, try blood orange margaritas; for summer, a spicy cucumber margarita. In fall, the Harvest Apple Fall Margarita captures seasonal flavors with apples, cinnamon, and apple cider. With a homemade brown sugar and rosemary simple syrup, this cocktail comes together in under thirty minutes and can easily be batched for Halloween parties or Thanksgiving gatherings. Check out the recipe below!

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Instructions
• Serving Suggestions
• Expert Tips
• Storage
• FAQ
• Pairings For This Fall Margarita
• Similar
• A Fall Harvest Apple Margarita

Ingredients

Here is everything you will need:

For the Simple Syrup

• Water: Base for dissolving brown sugar.
• Brown sugar: Adds rich sweetness.
• Rosemary sprigs: Infuse herbal complexity.

The Rim

• Brown sugar: Enhances overall sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, autumnal spice.
• One lime: Provides zesty balance.

For the Margarita

• Tequila: Base spirit with depth.
• Apple cider: Fruity, seasonal sweetness.
• Lime juice: Brightens with acidity.
• Homemade simple syrup: Smoothens flavors.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness.
• Ice: Keeps the drink refreshing.

For the Toppings

• Sliced apples: Fresh garnish highlighting apple flavor.
• Cinnamon sticks: Visual appeal and subtle spice.
• Rosemary sprigs: Fragrant herbal garnish.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements!

Instructions

Making the Simple Syrup

To make a brown sugar and rosemary simple syrup, combine ½ cup water, ¼ cup brown sugar, and 5–7 rosemary sprigs in a saucepan; stir over medium heat for about 10 minutes until dissolved, then cool and strain into a jar, discarding the rosemary. This recipe makes enough syrup for two margaritas, with the option to batch for more.

Line the Rim

A good margarita deserves a lined rim! For this fall margarita, mix brown sugar and cinnamon for a sweet, spiced touch that enhances the apple flavors. To prepare, combine a quarter cup of brown sugar and a tablespoon of cinnamon on a plate. Run a lime slice around the rim of your glasses (I like to use rocks glass, and there are plenty of cute options out there), then press them into the sugar mixture, ensuring both the inside and outside are coated. Shake off any excess and set the glasses aside.

Why Apple Cider and Not Apple Juice?

Typical margaritas use lime juice, tequila, a sweetener, and triple sec. In this recipe, we'll substitute homemade simple syrup and honey for the sweetener and use apple cider instead of triple sec. Apple cider not only adds a beautiful golden color but also rich fall flavor. Unlike apple juice, cider is unpasteurized and unfiltered, making it fresher and more seasonal, though it tends to be less sweet.

Shake It Up!

Now for the cocktail! Begin by filling a shaker with ¾ to 1 cup of ice. Add 4 ounces of tequila (about 2 ounces per drink), followed by 5 ounces of room-temperature apple cider, 3 ounces of lime juice, and 2 ounces of simple syrup. The simple syrup is sweet, so we use less to avoid overpowering the drink, while lime juice balances the sweetness. Finish with a drizzle of honey to enhance the flavors without adding too much sweetness. Shake for 30 seconds, then strain into your prepared glasses, leaving the ice behind. Enjoy!

How to Batch This Cocktail

To make the Harvest Apple Fall Margarita for your Halloween or Thanksgiving gathering, start by estimating servings and preparing the simple syrup, which makes about four servings. Choose a pitcher for serving and either add ice or refrigerate the mixture. Multiply the recipe based on your guest count, and consider making extra, as it's a popular drink! Use an ounce to cup converter if needed.

Serving Suggestions

Toppings elevate this cocktail both visually and in flavor. Here are my favorites:

• Apple Slice: A fresh slice enhances the apple cider flavor.
• Cinnamon Stick: Perfect for that fall vibe.
• Rosemary Sprig: Complements the homemade simple syrup.

For an extra touch, smoke the rosemary before adding it to the margarita for a hint of rich flavor. If you really want to take this margarita to the next level, add a star of anise! Enjoy!

Expert Tips

While the toppings are beautiful, they’re not all edible. Use leftover rosemary sprigs, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and apple slices in a simmer pot! Simply fill a pot with 2-4 cups of water, add the leftovers and a dash of vanilla extract, then simmer uncovered. This will fill your home with a cozy autumn aroma. Remember to keep an eye on the pot and refill with water as needed. You can also add apple cores and orange slices for extra fragrance, making it a sustainable way to enjoy your produce!

Storage

This cocktail stores best when all ingredients are stored separately and in the refrigerator! When ready to mix, just take out of the refrigerator and get started.

FAQ

Pairings For This Fall Margarita

This sweet margarita pairs well with savory dishes to balance its flavor. Consider serving it with:

Similar

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