mezcal cider margarita
No smoke and mirrors about this smoky little bev.
A little bit of autumn in a glass to celebrate the weekend. I honestly regret making a mug of coffee right now because I’d kind of rather indulge in a cocktail, but it is what it is. Maybe I’ll make wine later.
This week was very trying, for a multitude of reasons, and while I don’t see much relief in the near future, it’s still nice to fold closed the book on this final week of September and unearth a blank page to write in October’s first words. Which, hopefully, will feel a little kinder.
A margarita is an appropriate cozy drink to enjoy during a relaxing Saturday or Sunday. I’m figuring I’ll lounge on the couch, watch some baseball or football, and just appreciate the simple pleasure of a good sip and a lowkey scene.
Like most of my cocktails recently, this guy is no fuss, no fancy syrup, just easily accessed ingredients combined in ideal proportions to create a delectable result. Buy your favorite apple cider, a good mezcal, and find your favorite glass. Hopefully, your favorite people, too, with which to share.
Mezcalita!
I suppose I could, indeed, call this is a mezcalita if I wished. But we’ll stick to the header for that use.
I love a cinnamon sugar rim on my fall drinks, so we’re gonna do that today, too. Just toss some sugar and cinnamon together on a little plate, run a lime wedge around your glass, and dip that shit into the sugar to coat. Such a sweet little intro to the rest of the drink.
For the cocktail itself, you can shake or stir, but as usual I prefer to shake. Combine mezcal, lime juice, apple cider, maple syrup, and orange liqueur (Cointreau is my favorite). Shake it till its nice and cold, then pour into your glass. I usually have to add a bit more ice at this point too.
Add a few apple slices, a pretty little anise pod, and a cinnamon stick to your glass (or, as happened to me, put it in and watch that fucker sink RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE COCKTAIL). Kick back and enjoy!
If you’re really not a fan of mezcal, my favorite substitute is an anejo-style tequila. The darker, aged-style gives a full-bodied layer to the drink sans the smoky element. Though this would pull the drink away from being a margarita, a good barrel-aged dark rum is nice, too.
Hope ya’ll enjoy your weekend. Relax. Be kind to yourself. Be gentle with others.
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!
Fall for these autumn cocktails:
Smoky Apple Cider Bourbon Sour
mezcal cider margarita
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 oz mezcal
- 3 oz apple cider
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1/2 oz Cointreau (orange liqueur)
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
- apple slices, star anise pod, and cinnamon stick, to garnish
Instructions
- On a shallow plate, toss the sugar and cinnamon to combine. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass. Dip and swirl the rim into the cinnamon sugar. Shake off excess.
- In a shaker, combine the mezcal, lime juice, apple cider, Cointreau, and maple syrup. Fill with ice and shake until cold. Pour into the cocktail glass and add more ice as needed. Garnish with apple slices, anise, and cinnamon stick, as desired.
