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This Apple Butter Margarita is a delicious fall cocktail made with apple butter, tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime juice. Finished with a cinnamon sugar rim and warm fall spices, it’s an easy drink that’s perfect for Thanksgiving or a cozy fall evening.
If you love margaritas, this fall version is such a fun twist on the classic! The apple butter adds a rich apple flavor with warm spices, while the fresh lime juice and tequila give it that familiar margarita taste. The cinnamon sugar rim makes every sip even better.
This apple butter margarita recipe takes just 5 minutes to make and is a great addition to your fall gatherings. If you’re planning holiday drinks, you’ll also love my Thanksgiving Margarita and Pumpkin Martini!
Why You’ll Love This Fall Cocktail
- Perfect for fall. Apple butter, cinnamon, and warm spices give this margarita a delicious seasonal flavor.
- Ready in 5 minutes. Just shake the ingredients together and pour!
- Easy to customize. Adjust the sweetness or lime juice to suit your taste.
- Beautiful presentation. The cinnamon sugar rim, apple slices, and warm spice garnishes make this cocktail extra festive.
Ingredients Needed
You only need a few ingredients to make this easy fall margarita. The exact measurements are in the recipe card below.
Cinnamon Sugar Rim
- Turbinado or demerara sugar: Adds a sweet, crunchy rim.
- Ground cinnamon: Gives the sugar rim a warm, spiced flavor.
- Lime wedge: Helps the cinnamon sugar stick to the glass.
For the Margarita
- Fresh lime juice: Adds a bright, tart flavor that balances the sweetness of the apple butter.
- Apple butter: Gives this cocktail its rich apple flavor and warm spices. Use our homemade crockpot apple butter or store-bought apple butter. A smooth variety works best.
- Tequila: The base of the margarita.
- Orange liqueur: Cointreau, triple sec, or Grand Marnier all work well.
- Ice: For shaking and serving.
Garnish
- Apple slices: Use dried or thinly sliced fresh apples.
- Cinnamon stick: Adds a pretty fall touch.
- Star anise: Use a whole star anise and a little finely grated star anise to finish the drink.
How to Make an Apple Butter Margarita
This easy cocktail comes together in just a few minutes.
- Prepare the rim. Mix the sugar and cinnamon on a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip it into the mixture.
- Add the ice. Fill the prepared glass with crushed ice and set aside.
- Shake the margarita. Add the lime juice, apple butter, tequila, orange liqueur, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until very cold.
- Pour and garnish. Pour into the prepared glass, straining if desired. Garnish with apple slices, a cinnamon stick, and whole star anise. Finish with a light grating of star anise.
Tips & Variations
- Shake well. Apple butter is thick, so shake the cocktail for the full 15 to 20 seconds to combine everything.
- Use smooth apple butter. A chunky variety can affect the texture of the drink.
- Strain if preferred. Straining removes larger pieces of apple pulp or spices for a smoother cocktail.
- Adjust the sweetness. Apple butter varies by brand. Add a little simple syrup or agave if you prefer a sweeter margarita.
- Make it more tart. Increase the lime juice to 1 ounce for a stronger citrus flavor.
- Add apple cider. For a lighter margarita with more apple flavor, add ½ ounce of unfiltered apple cider.
Can I Use a Different Orange Liqueur?
Yes! Cointreau, triple sec, and Grand Marnier all work in this apple butter cocktail. Cointreau has a balanced orange flavor, while Grand Marnier adds a slightly richer taste. Use whichever you prefer or already have on hand.
Add as Google Trusted SourceApple Butter Margarita
Ingredients
For the Rim
- 1 Tablespoon turbinado sugar, or demerara sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 lime wedge
For the Margarita
- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 ½ Tablespoons apple butter
- 2 ounces tequila
- ½ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice for shaking and serving
For Garnish
- dried apple slices , or thin fresh apple slices
- cinnamon stick
- whole star anise
- pinch finely grated star anise
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon on a small plate, mixing until evenly distributed. Run the lime wedge along the outer rim of your glass, then dip into the sugar mixture, rotating the glass.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice and set aside.
- Add the lime juice, apple butter, tequila, orange liqueur, and ice cubes to a cocktail shaker.
- Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds until the shaker feels very cold.
- Pour the margarita into the glass, straining if preferred.
- Garnish with dried or fresh apple slices, a whole star anise, and a cinnamon stick. Finish with a light grating of star anise over the top of the cocktail.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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