Let’s get this out of the way: this is not a syrupy, artificially flavored abomination pretending to taste like pie. This is a legit apple pie margarita built with real ingredients—tequila, apple cider, lime, and spiced syrups. It’s warm, tart, just sweet enough, and hits like autumn in a cocktail glass.
Why You Should Be Drinking Margaritas in Fall
Margaritas don’t have to die with summer. In fact, they’re better in the fall—especially when they ditch the poolside fruit and pick up a little spice.
This fall margarita recipe swaps out triple sec for apple cider, cinnamon syrup, and clove syrup. The result is smooth, seasonal, and way less basic than yet another spiked PSL.
Apple Pie Margarita Recipe with Tequila, Cider, and Spice
This one comes together fast—no muddling, no roasting, no smoking cinnamon sticks over artisanal hay. Just shake and go.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila (blanco or reposado works great)
- 2 oz apple cider
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz cinnamon syrup
- 1 oz clove syrup
- Optional: cinnamon sugar salt rim, apple slice garnish
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake like you’re trying to loosen up Thanksgiving family tension.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a thin apple slice, cinnamon stick, or just drink the damn thing.
What This Apple Pie Margarita Actually Tastes Like
It’s bright and tart from the lime and cider, but the cinnamon and clove give it this warm, spiced backbone that makes it feel like fall in a glass. The tequila keeps it from being too soft—it cuts through the sweetness and keeps the drink grounded.
Think apple pie filling with a splash of citrus and bite of agave. Or better yet: don’t think too hard. Just sip it.
How This Fall Margarita Recipe Beats the Pumpkin Spice Parade
- It’s not pumpkin.
No shade, but this is the holiday cocktail that smells like baked apples and tastes like you didn’t try too hard. - It’s flexible.
Want it less sweet? Dial back the syrup. Want it stronger? Use less cider. Want to batch it? Go nuts. - It’s a crowd-pleaser.
Your wine-only aunt will like it. Your IPA cousin will like it. You’ll definitely like it.
Apple Pie Margarita: The Fall Cocktail You Didn’t Know You Needed
This cocktail doesn’t just nod to fall flavors—it dives into them without drowning in sugar. It’s spicy, crisp, and exactly the kind of drink you want to hand someone as they walk in the door wearing a wool coat and mild seasonal anxiety.
Serve it at Thanksgiving. Serve it on a Tuesday. Just don’t sleep on it.