Next Post
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Autumn Aperol Apple Cider Margarita. This cozy, sweet, and warming fall margarita consists of mezcal or tequila mixed with citrusy Aperol, orange liquor, spiced apple cider, and fresh-squeezed lime juice. To finish this warm and smoky margarita off, add apple slices and a smoking cinnamon stick. You can also make the drink a mocktail with my yummy mocktail variation recipe!
This is crazy town, but today I’m sharing the first of many fall/winter holiday cocktails! With Halloween coming up on Thursday, the time has come to switch from my spooky cocktails to cocktails that feel a bit more elegant for the season ahead.
I debated sharing another spooky drink with something nice for Thanksgiving. But in the end, this margarita excited me far too much!
I developed this drink a year ago and never had a chance to share it before the season ended.
I can’t wait for you all to try this one! It’s similar to my original apple cider margarita, but this margarita incorporates citrusy Aperol—a perfect pairing with the warm notes of cinnamon and spice!
These are the details
Ingredients
For a sugar rim
- coarse sugar
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- orange wedges
The Margarita
- mezcal or silver tequila
- Aperol
- orange liquor
- apple cider
- lime juice
- apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, these are for garnish
Ingredients – for the MocktailÂ
- lime juice
- apple cider
- orange juice
- vanilla extract
- apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, these are for garnish
Steps
Step 1: mix the sugar
It’s just coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Nothing makes a drink feel more magical than a sparkly rim. I love making festive rims for both flavor and aesthetics.
Rub an orange wedge around your glass, then dip the glass into the sugar.
Step 2: the margarita
This one is quick! Shake together mezcal or tequila with Aperol, apple cider, and lime juice. You can use either mezcal or tequila.
Personally, I love the warmth the mezcal adds to a fall margarita, but do what tastes yummiest to you!
Step 3: garnishes
Add ice to the sugar-rimmed glass, then pour over the margarita.
Add a couple of apple slices, maybe a star anise if you have one, and a cinnamon stick. I always light my cinnamon sticks on fire to create the most wonderful scent.
This margarita is super inviting and cozy. Perfect for entertaining guests!
I hope you love this one! And bring on all the holiday cocktails. I’m so excited to share new creations this season! My list is a mile long!
Looking for other fall cocktail recipes? Here are a few ideas:Â
Haunted Pumpkin Patch Margarita
“I put a Spell on You†Poison Apple Martini
Lastly, if you make this Autumn Aperol Apple Cider Margarita, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Autumn Aperol Apple Cider Margarita (+Mocktail)
Servings: 1 drink
Calories Per Serving: 380 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
For the Rim
- 1 tablespoon coarse sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- orange wedge
Margarita
- 2 ounces mezcal or silver tequila
- 1 ounce Aperol
- 1/2 ounce orange liquor
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/3 cup apple cider
- apple slices, star anise, and cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Instructions
- 1. In a bowl, mix the coarse sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Rub an orange wedge around the rim of a glass. Dip the glass into the sugar mix.2. Fill the glass with ice.3. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila/mezcal, Aperol, orange liquor, lime juice, and apple cider. Add ice and shake to combine - strain into the sugar-rimmed glass. Garnish with apple slices, star anise, and a cinnamon stick. If desired, light the cinnamon stick on fire for a smoky effect. This smells really good! To Make a Mocktail: omit the tequila, Aperol, and orange liquor. Use 2 additional tablespoons of apple cider or sparkling apple cider. Mix with 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract.Â
What orange liquor would you suggest? Gran marnier of cointreau?
Hi Megan,
You can use either of those for this recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xT
This was amazing! A friend brought it to Halloween. Regan, you never disappoint.
As far as the ads go, Try clicking on the print option, and proceed with the recipe. That always helps me 😀
Thanks so much, Jamie! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Cheers! xT
Honestly, I made this because I was curious how all these ingredients would taste together (and I had them all at home). It is very good! The heavy booze balances the sweetness. I’m sure it would be even better if I put forth the effort for the rim and garnish!
Hey Rachel,
Love to hear this! Thanks so much for trying this cocktail and your feedback! Cheers! XxT
These were a delicious addition to our fall cocktail line up. 10/10
Hey Melanie,
Happy Fall Sunday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe and your comment, so glad to hear it was a hit! xx
Agree with the ad issues. I have three video ads going right now on the page. The page already kicked me back to the top and reloaded twice. I like the blog and recipes but it’s impossible to scroll and read this website. I can’t take it anymore, so frustrating. I will check back in a couple months and hopefully it’s gotten better!!
I have zero problems with ads. ðŸ§
However, the real reason for the comment section…. I’m really looking forward to making this cocktail for the holiday. I would like to make one suggestion, hopefully you can give us some big batch cocktail options. Makes it so much easier when entertaining. Thank you for all that you do!!!
Thanks so much, Natalie!! Yes, I can share some bigger batch cocktails, you can always adjust the serving size and the ingredient measurements will automatically adjust for you. I hope that helps!
Also, here are some fun ones that I already have:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pumpkin-head-punch/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cider-punch/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/spiced-cranberry-punch/
Have a nice weekend! XxT
The ads are absolutely out of control on this site. You can barely read one sentence without having an ad at the top, middle, and bottom of your page. I just had one for a Honda that closed in on the screen as I was trying to comment too!
Hi Laura,
I’m so sorry to hear you had some issues with the ads. Thanks for sharing your insight. Wishing you a nice autumn weekend! xT