Margaritas: We love them when the sun is out and dazzlingly bright, ideally with a plate of tacos and a group of our silliest friends. And what makes this festive cocktail even better? Adding cider to the mix! Cider margaritas are as customizable as your imagination will allow, with so many delectable combinations of tequilas, types/flavors of cider, citrus and fruit juices and homemade infused simple syrups.
Here are recipes for five of our favorite cider margaritas to get you started — try them out this summer and let us know which you like best!
Classic Cider Margarita
The standard built for a classic marg is tequila, triple sec, lime juice and tequila. Add a little splash of juicy, apple-y cider for an added touch of fruity brightness that still lets the familiar flavor profile of the margarita shine through.
Classic Cider Margarita
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Blanco Tequila
- 0.5 oz. lime juice
- 0.5 oz. Cointreau
- A dry, apple-forward cider, like Angry Orchard Unfiltered
- Coarse salt and lime wheel, to rim the glass (optional)
Method
- Shake first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice; strain into a classic margarita glass or rocks glass rimmed with salt and filled with ice.
- Top with a generous splash (2-3 ounces) of cider. Garnish with lime wheel.
Spicy Peach Cider Margarita
If you like a cocktail with a serious kick, try a marg with spicy chili pepper syrup! For a vibrant sweet/spicy combo, this recipe calls for an off-dry peach cider, though a mango or pineapple cider would also be amazing.
To make your own jalapeño simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar, like half a cup of each, in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat, and add in a handful of fresh jalapeño slices (including the seeds if you want even more heat). Allow it to cool and infuse for at least an hour, then it’s ready to go!
Spicy Peach Cider Margarita
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Reposado Tequila
- 0.25 oz. lime juice
- 1 oz. jalapeño simple syrup
- Peach hard cider, such as Cider Boys Peach Country
- Tajin and salt, combined for garnish (optional)
Method
- Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker over ice; shake and strain into a classic margarita glass or rocks glass rimmed with spicy salt and filled with ice.
- Top with a generous splash (2-3 ounces) of cider. Garnish with fresh jalapeño slice.
Cider Paloma
Technically speaking, a Paloma is a cocktail made of tequila, lime juice and grapefruit soda. If you prefer a cocktail on the sweeter side, replace the grapefruit juice with grapefruit soda and omit the simple syrup.
Cider Paloma
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Blanco Tequila
- 2 oz. grapefruit juice
- 0.5 oz. lime juice
- 0.25 oz. simple syrup (optional)
- Wolffer Dry Rose Cider
Method
- Shake the first four ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
- Strain into Collins glass, top with cider (2-3 ounces). Garnish with a wedge or slice of fresh grapefruit.
Cider Mezcal Marg
Mezcal is another spirit made from the agave plant, and while it’s similar to tequila, it’s beloved for its earthy, smokiness that is incredible on its own and brings a sultry edge to cocktails. Try it in place of tequila in a margarita with a splash of dry cider for a wild twist on the classic.
Mezcal Cider Margarita
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz. Mezcal
- 0.75 oz. lime juice
- 0.5 oz. triple sec
- a dry cider, like Shacksbury Classic
Method
- Add the first three ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Top with 1-2 ounces of cider.
Floral Cider Margarita
Play up the floral tasting notes of a nice reposado tequila with a cider that is also floral! An obvious way to do that is to choose a rosé cider that’s made with hibiscus, roses or other similar blooms (for more on the various ways rose ciders are made, head here). Then, double-down on the garden vibes with a homemade hibiscus syrup; to make it, follow the instructions above for the jalapeño simple, but instead of the peppers, use one tablespoon dried hibiscus flowers or 1 sachet of Zinger or another hibiscus tea.
Floral Cider Margarita
Makes 1 cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Reposado Tequila
- 1 oz. hibiscus simple syrup
- 0.5 oz lime juice
- Rosé cider made with flowers, like Austin Eastciders Rosé
Method
- Add the first three ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake and strain into a glass over ice. Top with 2-3 ounces rosé cider.
- Photos: Dish Works