Easy Apple Cider Mocktail
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Easy Apple Cider Mocktail
This Apple Cider Mocktail is a simple delicious mocktail that comes rich in bold apple cider flavor & entirely jam-packed with warm, cozy spices. Made with an easy homemade apple syrup, freshly-squeezed orange juice, lemon juice, and topped with your favorite bubbly, this mocktail is the best addition to any holiday table or weekend! Completely Vegan.
Have you seen anything fancier? Haha. I'm so happy to finally be sharing this Apple Cider Mocktail with you all because they are SO good! If you're into apple cider then you know that having anything with it is a guaranteed good time. Its the perfect balance of sweet, tart + spiced!
I enjoy making simple, tasty drinks that the entire family can enjoy and this one is a star in my house. My son is so very much in love with this mocktail and it's such a delicious drink you can enjoy with or without the fizz. For my apple cider lovers try my Baked Vegan Apple Cider Donuts and Apple Cider Cake + Cinnamon Maple Buttercream next up!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Apple Cider Mocktail
First and foremost, the flavors in this simple + easy Apple Cider Mocktail are enough to convince anyone, however, here are a few more reasons why you'll love this recipe:
- Perfect fall flavors with cozy apple, cinnamon, and warm spices
- Family-friendly + loved by all ages
- Lightly sparkling for a refreshing twist
- Quick + easy to make with simple ingredients
- Beautifully garnished with cinnamon sticks + apple slices
How to Make Apple Cider Mocktail
This mocktail comes together quickly! Start by making your homemade syrup, then combine it with store-bought or homemade apple cider in a mason jar or cocktail shaker. Add a bit of crushed ice, the apple cider and the remaining ingredients give it a good shake for 1-2 minutes until everything is perfectly blended. Voila!
Ingredients
The main component in this simple Apple Cider Mocktail recipe is the sweet apple flavor from the homemade syrup and infusion of other ingredients. To make your mocktail, you’ll use:
- Apple. I love using Gala or Honeycrisp apples for a nice sweetness. You can also use a firm, tarter apple like Granny Smith for best results.
- Apple cider. This adds a burst of authentic apple cider flavor. You can make this on your own or purchase your fave quality brand.
- Orange. I like to use a navel orange, but you could use any other kind of large, juicy citrus fruit.
- Lemon. Use a big, juicy lemon to add a tart pop of flavor.
- Spices. This adds a warming spice profile to this mocktail. You'll need cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Crushed or whole ice. The best highlight of this drink to keep things cold. Crush your ice or use a nice ice cub tray.
- Brown sugar. I use organic to make sure it’s vegan.
- Water. For boiling and creating of the syrup.
- Soda. You can use lemon soda or ginger beer to finish off the mocktails with some bubbles.
SHOP MY FAVORITE DRINKWARE ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES!
Here, I’ve curated a list of drinkware and mocktail essentials that I use to achieve my favorite drinking experiences, especially with this Apple Cider Mocktail. Everything from my fave glassware, cocktail shakers, ice cube trays, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How To Make Your Own Apple Cider
If you'd prefer to make your own batch of apple cider, no worries---I've got you covered! You can make your own apple cider easily in a slow cooker, which is the easiest way to do so without requiring your full undivided attention. Of course, you can slowly simmer everything over the stovetop if you don't own a slow cooker.
How to Reduce Apple Cider for This Mocktail
If you'd prefer to have a more concentrated apple cider taste within your mockatil, you can easily reduce your cider by following these steps:
- Pour your apple cider in a saucepan, about 2 cups which we'll then reduce to ¾ cup.
- Turn on the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once you hit the 10 minute mark, be sure to check on your apple cider every few minutes (4 minutes or so), stirring occasionally until your cider has reduced to the desired ¾ cup.
- Remove it from heat and allow it cool completely before continuing the recipe.
Best Types of Apples for This Mocktail
Even though this Apple Cider Mocktail is based on using Gala or Honeycrisp apples, you can also switch things up and add a slightly new flare in their flavor profile by adding any of the following apples for a bit more sweetness or tart:
- Granny Smith
- Fuji
- Pink Lady
- Golden Delicious
- Braeburn
- and more!
Apple Cider Mocktail Q + A's
Absolutely! If you’d like to serve this as a cocktail, you can add 1 ounce of tequila, vodka or gin to each glass.
I definitely try to avoid waste at all costs, therefore, I like to repurpose these boiled apples by adding them atop oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, etc. SO good!
Easy! Simply add the solid syrup to a saucepan and top with apple juice or a bit of water mixed with maple syrup (about 1-2 Tbsps) and let it simmer until it becomes liquid-y again. Drizzle and enjoy!
You can prepare the syrup in advance and mix the mocktail just before serving for the freshest taste.
Yes, it's completely alcohol-free and perfect for all ages!
More Must-Try Mocktail Recipes
If you're a mocktail lover and enjoyed this Apple Cider Mocktail recipe, you'll adore trying these next:
- Caramel Oat Latte Mocktail
- Green Goddess Mocktail
- Frozen Peach Lime Margarita Mocktails
- Spicy Cucumber Mocktail
- Spicy Paloma Mocktails
- Jalapeno Lemon-Lime Mocktail
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Apple Cider Mocktail recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Apple Cider Mocktail
Ingredients
HOMEMADE APPLE SYRUP:
- 1 Gala or Honeycrisp apple, sliced (Skin on)
- ⅓ cup organic brown sugar
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
MOCKTAIL:
- 1 cup apple cider, homemade or store-bought (See Post for info!)
- ¼ cup homemade apple syrup
- ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed
- 1 orange, freshly-squeezed
- Lemon soda or ginger beer, for topping
- Crushed ice
GARNISH:
- Apple slices, thin or thick
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Cinnamon sticks
Instructions
TO MAKE THE HOMEMADE APPLE SYRUP:
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add together all ingredients (stirring them to combine) and bring to a boil, about 1-2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 5 minutes or so. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
TO MAKE THE MOCKTAIL(S):
- In a mason jar or cocktail shaker, add a bit of crushed ice along with the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, and cooled apple syrup and shake for 1-2 minutes until combined.
- Assemble the mocktail(s): For each mocktail, fill a good cocktail glass (11 oz. or so) halfway with crushed ice and pour half the amount of the mocktail mixture and top with your fave frizz (lemon soda or ginger beer) until glass(es) is ¾ filled. Top with apple slices, thyme sprigs, and cinnamon sticks, if desired.
- Sip and Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks
- SERVING SIZE: To make additional mocktails, simply double or triple ingredients, depending on need.
- APPLES: Best apples to use for this latte are: Granny Smith, Gala, Honeycrisp, Fuji, etc.
- ALCOHOL: If you'd like to keep this recipe delicious, but want to spruce things up with alcohol, feel free to add 1 ounce of rum, vodka, etc.
- EQUIPMENT: Here, I’ve curated a list of drinkware and mocktail essentials that I use to achieve my favorite drinking experiences, especially with this Apple Cider Mocktail. Everything from my fave glassware, cocktail shakers, ice cube trays, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
Nutrition
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LET US KNOW!
My local store only has sparkling apple cider. Will that still work?
Hi Paige! If you're using the sparkling cider for the topping---absolutely! You'll probably enjoy it more because you'll get a burst of apple cider flavor on top of everything! 🙂
I had some trouble with this one and the holiday pomegranate mocktail - not sure why as I followed the recipes exactly. The syrup became SO thick and sort of gloppy. I haven't had this happen with simple syrups before so wondering if you can help me figure out what happened? The flavors were good but the textures were thick... thanks!
The picture on this recipe is most definitely taken without the syrup in it, because it turns the mocktail brown. Additionally, no matter how long i boiled it, the syrup never thickened up and the amount of cinnamon leftover in my glass from the syrup wasn’t very pleasant. The addition of the syrup just sweetened it back up to cider level.
Cute idea - not a great execution. It would be nice if the picture looked like the actual mocktail. And for the love of all that is good, i feel bad for any poor soul making their own cider for this recipe!
Hi Lindsay, Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm so sorry to hear about your experience with the cinnamon, etc. Just to confirm, this image of mocktails was taken with the apple syrup as well as the other ingredients---so I apologize if you felt that it wasn't. Fortunately, I haven't had this feedback with other readers who have made it, but I will keep those things noted. 🙂
What a delicious combination of flavors I will surely love this fall drink!
This is such a lovely drink! So festive and it's nice because you can share it with the kids and include them in the holiday spirit with a fancy drink!
I HAVE to make this for Thanksgiving this year. I think my family is going to love it. It's so cozy.
We host an annual Christmas party and I always like to have a good non-alcoholic option for our guests. This is absolutely beautiful- definitely what I'm going to make this year!
What a great way to use up apples and make a tasty cocktail. The girls loved it over our weekend party