The Perfect Fall Margarita

Usually margaritas make us think of summer, or being on a tropical island soaking up the sun. I want to change the narrative and introduce you to this fall margarita – which combines 2 of my favorite things. Margaritas + my favorite season: FALL! When you mix tequila with fall flavors like fresh apple cider, honey, and cinnamon, it’s pure magic. This Fall Margarita is perfect for all of your pumpkin patch outings, girls nights by the fire, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

What Makes This Thanksgiving Margarita Recipe Work

Nothing says holiday gathering like good food, good company, and a great cocktail recipe. Enter, fall margaritas! This delicious Thanksgiving cocktail has all the flavors of a classic margarita with a yummy, spiced apple cinnamon fall twist! It’s topped with fresh apple slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks which means it’s yummy and pretty! Making the honey simple syrup for this cocktail will also make your house smell amazing.

Fall margaritas are are serving by the pitcher, right? Fear not, I’ve scaled this recipe to accommodate large groups below! Thanksgiving margarita for the win!

Ingredient Notes for Fall Margaritas

Oftentimes, cocktails, margaritas, and pre-made mixes can contain gluten, tons of sugar, additives, and other stuff to leave you with a nasty headache the next morning. My Fall Margarita recipe has none of that! Only fresh ingredients: citrus juice, 100% agave tequila, homemade honey cinnamon simple syrup, and apple cider are thrown into a cocktail shaker over ice and shaken to cocktail perfection. Poured over a sea salt or sugar-rimmed glass and topped with fresh apple slices, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks, this is the thanksgiving cocktail you’ve been waiting for.

• Tequila: I prefer to use tequila that says “100% agave” on the bottle – this means that they have no additives, fillers, sugar, or other junk! My favorites are 1800 and Patron. I prefer  Blanco tequila over darker colored ones because it has a lighter taste and goes well with margaritas. Darker tequilas are better for sipping on the rocks!
• Apple cider: Look for fresh apple cider where the only ingredients are apples!
• Orange juice: fresh is preferred
• Honey: Look for pure, raw organic honey with no additives.

How to Make Honey Simple Syrup for Cocktails

• First, make the cinnamon honey simple syrup. If you prefer margaritas that aren’t too sweet, use less syrup.
• Combine 1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup honey, and 2 cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan. Next, heat over medium-high heat for a few minutes and stir until the honey dissolves completely. Let it cool. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 weeks to make with other cocktails!

Fall Margarita Step-by-Step

• Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of your glass. Next, dip your glass into the salt on a plate to coat the rim. Fill the glass with ice.
• Add the tequila, apple cider, orange juice, squeeze of lime, and cinnamon honey syrup into a shaker with some ice and shake well.
• Pour the mixture over the ice in your glass. Finally, garnish with apple slices, cranberries, and a cinnamon stick. Enjoy!

Mary’s Tips & Tricks

Cocktail Shaker: If you’re going to be a bartender at home, you’ve got to have the right cocktail-making tools! This is the shaker that I have, and I love it!

Fall Mocktail: You can also totally omit the tequila for a delicious mocktail. Afterwards, serve it in a fancy glass with a cinnamon sugar rim for added delight!

If you prefer to make a Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, simply use 1/3 cup brown sugar instead of the honey and dissolve it into the water.

Try serving a big batch in this pumpkin drink dispenser!

More Gluten Free Cocktails

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Paleo Jalapeno Margaritas

Paleo Pomegranate Paloma

Kahlua Espresso Martini