Add a good amount of sugar rim or plain sugar to a small plate evenly (we used a cinnamon-sugar rim because it goes well with coffee).
Pour about 2 tablespoons of maple syrup into a separate plate, or enough to coat the plate evenly (you could also use a flavored simple syrup or other types of syrups).
Dip the mug into the syrup.
Press the mug into the sugar mix to coat the rim.
Let sit for a few minutes to harden before filling the glass.
For Margarita Glass:
Add a good amount of sugar rim to a small plate evenly, making sure the plate is wider than the margarita glass (you can use plain white sugar or get fancy with a lime zest sugar rim).
Cut a slit into the middle of a lime or lemon wedge (not through the peel and not too deep). Slide it onto the margarita glass and run it all around the edge to make it wet. Alternatively, you could add some lime or lemon juice to a plate and dip the glass in it.
Press the margarita glass into the sugar mix to coat the rim (or you can hold the glass at an angle and roll it in the sugar instead).
Let sit a few minutes to harden before filling the glass.
For Other Cocktail Glasses:
Add a good amount of sugar rim to a small plate evenly. Pour some simple syrup into a separate small, shallow dish. Dip the glass into the syrup.(Alternatively, you could cut a slit into the middle of a lemon or lime wedge and rub it around the rim of the glass.)
Press the glass into the sugar mix to coat the rim completely (or you can hold the glass at an angle and roll it in the sugar instead).
Let sit a few minutes to harden before filling the glass.
Notes
Nutrition information is for 1 tablespoon of the sugar.
Some bartenders recommend twisting the glass in the sugar, but some don’t. Try both ways and see what works for you. Personally, I like to dip and release.
Be generous with the sugar on the plate to get enough coverage.
The diameter of the sugar on the plate should be wider than the glass.
You can use anything from fine sugar to coarse sugar, brown or white, or even candy sprinkles, depending on the look/taste you are going for.
To wet the rim, you can use citrus juice, citrus wedges, syrups, melted chocolate or even a liqueur that matches the drink.
Not sure if your guests will like it? You can rim one side of the mug and leave the other side blank so your guests can choose whether they want the extra flavor or not.
Don't assume that more sugar is always better. Instead, use a light touch to sweeten the rim without encrusting it in hard sugar flakes. This is especially important if you use an ingredient like cinnamon that has a little kick.