Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Recipe
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There’s no better way to celebrate fall than with a fun drink like apple cider mocktail, a drink that tastes as good as it looks. It’s crisp, gently spiced, and naturally sweet. It’s also simple to make, full of seasonal flavor, and perfect for sipping anytime you want a little taste of autumn.
I love offering mocktails when friends or family come over, whether it’s a family dinner or a weekend bonfire. They’re easy to mix, always look festive, and make everyone feel part of the celebration. The blend of fresh cider, citrus, and warm spice is just right, cozy enough for a chilly night but bright enough for an afternoon get-together.
How to Make Apple Cider Mocktail
In just a few minutes, you can mix up a refreshing apple cider mocktail. Combine the cider, citrus, and spices in your favorite glass or a small pitcher, then top with sparkling water for a little fizz. Add ice, garnish with apple slices or cinnamon, and it’s ready to enjoy.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with the full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Apple cider: Go for fresh-pressed cider if you can find it. It has a richer flavor and natural sweetness compared to bottled versions.
- Orange and lime juice: Freshly squeezed is ideal, though bottled works fine when you’re short on time.
- Honey
- Cinnamon sticks
- Ginger beer
- Apple slices: Honeycrisp or Fuji are great choices since they’re crisp, naturally sweet, and stay looking fresh. Thin rounds or fan slices make a pretty garnish that floats nicely on top.
Step-By-Step Instructions
If you can stir and pour, you can make this apple cider mocktail. Follow these quick steps to make it at home.
Step 1: Prep
Fill two tall glasses with ice.
Step 2: Mix the base
In a shaker or small pitcher, stir together apple cider, orange juice, lime juice, and sweetener. Add 2 cinnamon sticks.
Step 3: Add ginger beer
Top with ginger beer.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Pour into two prepared glasses. Garnish apple and lime slices plus a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.
Substitutions
- Orange juice: Swap with blood orange juice for richer color or pineapple juice for a tropical twist.
- Lime juice: Lemon juice works in a pinch.
- Honey: Try maple or a sugar-free simple syrup or pumpkin syrup. You can also swap in liquid monk-fruit sweetener to taste.
- Cinnamon sticks: Use star anise or whole cloves for a different warm spice flavor.
- Ginger beer: Ginger ale works if you want something a little sweeter and less spicy.
Expert Tips
- If you don’t have a shaker, make it in a small pitcher instead.
- Make it ahead: Mix everything except the ginger beer and refrigerate. When ready to serve, add ginger beer and ice for quick, stress-free pouring.
- Pick a good ginger beer: Choose one with strong ginger flavor and less sugar. Fever-Tree or Bundaberg are great options.
- Warm the honey: If it’s thick or crystalized, warm it in a double boiler until is runs easily and will blend smoothly into cold liquids.
- Serve it cold: Chill your glasses first to keep drinks colder longer. Try freezing apple cider or orange juice into ice cubes to avoid watering it down.
How to Store This Apple Cider Mocktail
Pour any leftovers into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. Be sure to remove the cinnamon stick after the first day so the flavor doesn’t become too strong.
Freezing the full mocktail isn’t ideal since the ginger beer will lose its fizz and the juice texture changes. However, you can freeze the juice base in ice cube trays for quick single-serve mocktails whenever you want one.
How to Serve Apple Cider Mocktail
Serve your apple cider mocktail with your favorite fall bites for an easy, cozy pairing. A mix of sharp cheeses, dried fruit, and spiced nuts on a charcuterie board makes a simple but elegant choice for guests.
It also tastes amazing with turkey or ham, pot roast, or a fresh autumn salad for something lighter. For dessert, try it with apple pie, pumpkin bread, or cinnamon coffee cake to bring out those comforting fall flavors.
More Cozy Drinks To Try
5-Minute Apple Cider Mocktail Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces apple cider
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 1 ounces lime juice
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 4 whole cinnamon sticks divided
- 1 cup ginger beer
- 2 portions ice cubes
- 1 small apple sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Fill two tall glasses with ice.
- In a shaker or small pitcher, stir together apple cider, orange juice, lime juice, and sweetener. Add 2 cinnamon sticks.
- Top each one with ginger beer.
- Divide the liquid between the glasses, then add apple and lime slices plus a cinnamon stick as garnish. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.
Notes
- Mix everything except the ginger beer ahead of time and chill, then add ginger beer and ice before serving.
- Warm thick honey for a few seconds so it blends smoothly.
- Serve cold in chilled glasses, or use frozen cider or juice cubes to keep it from watering down.
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
