Apple Cider Margarita (Sparkling Manzana Paloma)
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Updated Sep 24, 2025, Published Nov 15, 2019
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Cozy fall evenings call for a festive cocktail, and this Apple Cider Margarita is everything you want in a seasonal drink — crisp, spiced, a little sweet, and bubbly. Known in Spanish as a Manzana Paloma, this cocktail brings together smooth tequila, fresh apple cider, maple syrup, warm spices, and a splash of sparkling water for a refreshing autumn sip.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, toasting at Thanksgiving, or just want a cozy cocktail to enjoy on a cool night, this sparkling apple cider margarita is sure to impress.
Table of Contents
- What is an Apple Cider Margarita?
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Substitutions
- How to Make an Apple Cider Margarita (Manzana Paloma)
- Apple Cider Margarita Expert Tips & Tricks
- Serving Suggestions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Cocktail Recipes to Try
- Apple Cider Margarita (Sparkling Manzana Paloma) Recipe
What is an Apple Cider Margarita?
An Apple Cider Margarita is a fall-inspired twist on the classic margarita, made with tequila, apple cider (or apple juice), a touch of natural sweetener, and a splash of sparkle. Unlike a traditional paloma made with grapefruit soda, this manzana paloma swaps in apple cider for a seasonal, fruit-forward flavor that feels perfect for autumn.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & seasonal – a beautiful cocktail for fall gatherings and holidays.
- Sweet & spiced – apple cider, maple syrup, and cloves add cozy warmth.
- Simple & quick – ready in minutes with just a few ingredients.
- Sparkling & refreshing – finished with mineral water for a light, bubbly touch.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to make this apple cider margarita recipe:
- Apple cider or apple juice – cider gives a deeper, spiced flavor, while juice is sweeter and lighter.
- Maple syrup or agave nectar – for natural sweetness.
- Tequila – I used a cristalino tequila, but you can use your favorite blanco, reposado, añejo, or cristalino.
- Cloves – add warmth and depth.
- Sparkling mineral water – balances sweetness with refreshing bubbles.
- Cinnamon stick & apple slice – festive garnishes that look as good as they taste.
For exact quantities, see the printable recipe card below.
How to Make an Apple Cider Margarita (Manzana Paloma)
Step 1: Rim the glass. Spread maple syrup on the rim, then dip into a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Step 2: Mix the cocktail. Add apple cider, maple syrup, tequila, and cloves to a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice.
Step 3: Shake well. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker frosts.
Step 4: Strain. Strain into cocktail glasses with or without ice.
Step 5: Add bubbles. Top with a splash of sparkling mineral water.
Step 6: Garnish. Finish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice studded with cloves.
Apple Cider Margarita Expert Tips & Tricks
- Make it ahead: Mix cider, tequila, maple syrup, and cloves up to a day in advance. Shake and add sparkling water just before serving.
- Batch it: Multiply the recipe and serve in a pitcher — perfect for parties.
- Rim it right: Try brown sugar + cinnamon for a sweeter rim variation.
Serving Suggestions
This cocktail is the perfect sip for:
- Thanksgiving or holiday dinners
- Fall fiestas and gatherings
- Cozy nights in with Mexican-inspired bites
Pair it with dishes like Queso Fundido with Chorizo (Choriqueso), Chicken Flautas, or corn tortilla chips and classic Mexican guacamole for a full fiesta spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can mix the apple cider, tequila, maple syrup, and cloves up to a day in advance. Just keep it chilled, then shake with ice and top with sparkling water right before serving.
You can use your favorite tequila — blanco, reposado, añejo, or cristalino. Each adds a slightly different flavor, so choose based on what you enjoy most.
Absolutely! Replace the tequila with extra sparkling water or ginger beer for a delicious mocktail version.
They’re essentially the same drink. The term Manzana Paloma highlights the apple twist on the traditional Mexican paloma cocktail.
Multiply the recipe ingredients and mix them in a large pitcher (without ice or sparkling water). When ready to serve, pour over ice and top each glass with sparkling water.
More Cocktail Recipes to Try
If you tried this Apple Cider Margarita (Sparkling Manzana Paloma) or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Summarize & Save This Content On
Apple Cider Margarita (Sparkling Manzana Paloma)
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple cider or apple juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- 3 ounces tequila, blanco, reposado, añejo, or cristalino
- 2 cloves
- Sparkling mineral water
- Cinnamon stick, for garnish
- Apple slice, for garnish
- Cloves, for garnish
Instructions
- To rim the glasses, spread a small layer of maple syrup on glass rim, and place a mixture of cinnamon and sugar in a shallow plate. Dip the rim of a glass into the cinnamon sugar mix.
- Add apple cider, maple syrup, tequila, and cloves to a shaker filled halfway with ice.
- Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker frosts up.
- Strain into cocktail glasses with or without ice.
- Top with a splash of mineral water.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a thin slice of apple pierced with cloves.
Notes
- I used a cristalino tequila, but you can use your favorite blanco, reposado, añejo, or cristalino.
- For a mocktail version, skip the tequila and top with sparkling water or ginger beer.
- To make a pitcher for parties, multiply the recipe and chill without ice or sparkling water. Add sparkling water to each glass before serving.
- Swap apple cider for apple juice if that’s what you have on hand — the flavor will be lighter and sweeter.
- Try rimming your glasses with brown sugar and cinnamon for a sweeter touch.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Photography by Jenna Sparks
This Apple Cider Margarita is perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving!