Cinnamon Margarita
A reposado-led margarita with fresh lime, agave and a homemade cinnamon syrup, finished with a glittering cinnamon-sugar rim for a warm winter twist.
Ingredients
- 50 ml tequila reposado
- 25 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml agave syrup
- 10 ml cinnamon-infused simple syrup
- 1 lime wedge (for rimming)
- 1 tbsp caster sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cinnamon stick (to garnish)
- 1 lime wheel (to garnish)
Method
- Mix the caster sugar and ground cinnamon on a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a chilled rocks glass and dip into the cinnamon-sugar mix.
- Add the tequila, lime juice, agave and cinnamon syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into the prepared rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a thin lime wheel and a cinnamon stick resting across the rim.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Rocks glass
- Serve temperature
- Cold
- Garnish
- Lime wheel and cinnamon stick
A cinnamon margarita is what happens when a familiar cocktail puts on a wool coat. The lime and tequila skeleton is still there, sharp and clean, but a homemade cinnamon syrup and a glittering spiced rim push the whole drink into proper cold-weather territory. It is the sort of thing that fits as easily next to a plate of carnitas as it does after a long walk in the rain.
Why Reposado Is Worth It
A good blanco tequila makes a fine margarita, but reposado is the right choice here. Time in oak gives it a soft vanilla character and a hint of toast, both of which sit naturally alongside cinnamon. Look for a 100 percent agave reposado that has not been over-aged; you want the green, peppery agave to still come through under the wood. If you only have blanco, the drink still works, but expect a slightly sharper, more citrus-forward result.
The cinnamon syrup is straightforward. Simmer two crushed cinnamon sticks with equal parts sugar and water for about ten minutes, then cool and strain. The flavour develops further as it sits in the fridge, so make it the day before if you can.
The Rim Is Half the Drink
A cinnamon-sugar rim looks pretty, but it also changes the way the cocktail tastes. The sugar smooths the lime’s edge, the cinnamon meets the syrup on its own terms, and the texture against your lip adds a small ceremonial moment to every sip. Use caster sugar rather than granulated; the finer crystals stick better and dissolve more gently.
Shake hard, strain over a single large ice cube, and serve immediately. Margaritas are at their best in the first ten minutes, so pour with the people you want to drink with already in the room.
Frequently asked questions
Why reposado tequila and not blanco?
Reposado spends time in oak, which adds soft vanilla and toasted notes that pair naturally with the cinnamon. Blanco can taste slightly sharp against the spice.
Can I rim with salt as well?
Yes. A half-and-half cinnamon-sugar and flaky salt rim works beautifully, giving you sweet, spiced and savoury notes on every sip.
Is the drink very sweet?
Not at all. The agave and cinnamon syrup balance the bright lime acidity, and the reposado keeps the drink grounded rather than dessert-like.
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