cranberry apple margarita
If today was a fail, make yourself a cocktail.
Yep yep, yesterday was a fail. I was tired, surly, unmotivated, and all sorts of negative descriptors – you could probably think of one and it’d fit the bill for my behavior. The Day Job was rough, then I was forced to socialize when all I wanted to do was fall on my couch, immobile, for the rest of the night, a nap in my eye and a drink in hand.
I’m usually exhausted on Fridays, and try not to schedule any human interaction past what is necessary for my livelihood. Seems opposite to how many folks approach that celebratory introduction to the weekend, but hey, I do many things opposite of what others do. And I happen to just be a hermit in general.
I have no idea if any of that made sense – it surely wasn’t relevant. I guess all that shit was to say that I prefer a quiet Friday, recharging my batteries so I can have a little bit of fun on Saturday. A Cranberry Apple Margarita sounds like a swell lounging companion, don’t you think?
No boiling syrups, no sourcing weird ingredients – just simple, festive this-and-thats shaken into a pretty and refreshing sip. Would recommend for Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, or Idontgiveafucksgiving, Myselfsgiving. I don’t judge the occasion. Hell, there doesn’t need to be an occasion. You surviving the week is enough. Cheers!
Cran Man
I nearly always shake my drinks, but keep in mind that with most you can stir them if there’s nothing that requires muddling. Flow with your own rhythm, yo.
The shimmery rim on the pictured cocktail glass comes via ginger sugar. Toss some sugar with ground ginger, run a lime wedge around your cocktail glass, then dip and swizzle to coat.
They key flavorings that make this margarita extra fun are cranberry juice, apple cider, and apple butter. You can usually source apple butter from most grocery stores this time of year – I like to find a local jam creator, though, at a farmer’s market.
Mix those doodads with tequila, agave (I typically only need a teaspoon or two, but I wrote in 1/2 oz, which is a tablespoon, in case you need a sweeter drink), and lime juice. Shake with ice or stir vigorously to combine. Pour into your cocktail glass, add more ice if you need, and top with a sploosh of ginger beer.
For garnishes, I like apple slices (boozy apples are always dope), fresh cranberries (these look pretty but taste like shit. Just FYI), and a star anise (don’t eat that if you know what’s good for you). Simple but lovely.
Think I’ll log my ass off and make myself a drink. Enjoy your weekend, fellas!
Tried this recipe out? Leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Autumnal margaritaville:
The Balrog of Morgoth Margarita
cranberry apple margarita
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 oz tequila
- 2 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz apple cider
- 1 tbsp apple butter
- 1/2 oz agave, or to taste
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- ginger beer, to top
- apple slices and fresh cranberries, to serve.
Instructions
- On a small, shallow dish, toss the sugar with the ginger. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass. Dip and swirl the rim into the sugar. Shake of excess.
- In a shaker, combine the tequila, cranberry juice, apple cider, apple butter, agave, and lime juice. Add ice and shake until cold. Pour into the cocktail glass, adding more ice as needed. Top with a few splashes of ginger beer. Top with apple slices and fresh cranberries, as desired.
