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A rocks glass holding an amber cocktail and ice, edged with a red chili rim and garnished with apple slices and rosemary

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Smoky Apple Cider Margarita with Tajín-Cinnamon Rim

Recipe by Chloe Davis

This fall cocktail balances the sweet, crisp notes of apple cider with the earthy smoke of mezcal, all set off by a fiery, sweet-and-salty Tajín rim. Adding a dash of orange bitters and a proper pour of fresh lime juice keeps the drink bright and complex rather than overly sweet.

  • Total Time5 minutes
  • Yield1 drink (serves 1) 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Spiced Rim

  • 1 tablespoon Tajín (chili-lime seasoning)
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup (for rimming)

The Cocktail

  • 3 ounces (90 ml) unfiltered apple cider
  • 2 ounces (60 ml) mezcal (or reposado tequila for less smoke)
  • 3/4 ounce (22 ml) fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 ounce (15 ml) orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  • 1/4 ounce (7 ml) maple syrup
  • 1 dash orange bitters

Garnish

  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig
  • Thin apple slices

Instructions

  1. Prep the glass: Pour the 1 teaspoon of maple syrup onto a small plate. On a separate small plate, whisk together the Tajín, cinnamon sugar, and flaky sea salt. Dip the rim of a rocks glass first into the maple syrup, then into the spiced sugar mixture to coat evenly. Set aside.
  2. Shake the cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the apple cider, mezcal, fresh lime juice, orange liqueur, the remaining 1/4 ounce of maple syrup, and orange bitters. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is heavily frosted.
  3. Strain and serve: Fill the rimmed glass with fresh ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice.
  4. Garnish and smoke: Fan the apple slices and tuck them into the drink. For an aromatic finish, carefully pass a lighter flame over the rosemary sprig for 3 to 5 seconds until it lightly smokes. Extinguish the flame completely and ensure there are no glowing embers before dropping it into the glass.

Notes

  • Why it works: Dialing back the cider slightly and adding a dash of orange bitters prevents the cocktail from tasting like spiked fruit juice. The bitters bridge the gap between the heavy smoke of the mezcal and the sweet apples.
  • Pitcher variation: To serve eight, mix 3 cups cider, 2 cups mezcal, 3/4 cup lime juice, 1/2 cup orange liqueur, 4 tablespoons maple syrup, and 8 dashes of bitters in a large pitcher. Keep refrigerated and stir well before pouring over ice.

Nutrition (per serving — estimates)

Calories: 265 | Total Carbs: 25g (Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 21g) | Fat: 0g (Saturated: 0g) | Protein: 0g

Note: The total calorie count includes approximately 165 calories from alcohol, which are not reflected in the carbohydrate, fat, or protein values.

Nutritional values are approximate, based on standard reference data (USDA FoodData Central). Actual values vary by brand and exact measurements. For precision, use a tracker like MyFitnessPal or Cronometer.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Drinks
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cocktail
  • Calories: 265
  • Sugar: 21g
  • Fat: 0g
  • Saturated Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 25g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 0g

Find it online: https://delicious.alfityan.org/2026/08/09/smoky-apple-cider-margarita-with-a-spiced-chili-rim/