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This sparkling apple cider mocktail combines fresh apple cider, ginger beer, and mint with a cinnamon sugar rim for a winter and fall drink that’s great for parties or holidays. Ready in just 5 minutes!
As a cocktail expert, I’ve started to lean towards mocktail recipes for parties: because I’ve found 0 proof drinks can be just as delicious as their cocktail counterparts! Plus they’re lighter and they work for everyone.
This apple cider mocktail is everything I love about cozy winter and fall drinks without the alcohol. It takes literally 5 minutes to pull together, and every time I serve it, someone asks for the recipe. The cinnamon sugar rim alone is worth making this! It’s great as a holiday drink or Thanksgiving mocktail, or anytime you need a fun drink idea.
Why This Apple Cider Mocktail Works
I can’t take the credit for this apple cider mocktail: my husband Alex actually created this recipe! He had the idea for the secret ingredient: apple cider vinegar, just like in this pomegranate mocktail. It might sound odd, but the acidity mimics alcohol and really makes it taste like a cocktail!
The apple cider is sweet and tangy, the ginger beer adds bubbles, and muddled mint and lemon add aromatic notes. The best part is the cinnamon sugar rim: it has a little salt too, which is so satisfying! I enjoyed this mocktail with a meal and I loved how it pairs well with food, instead of overwhelming it like a typical cocktail recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I’ve made this mocktail dozens of times, and here’s what I’ve learned about getting the best flavor:
- Unfiltered apple cider: Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider: the kind from the refrigerated section at the grocery store or farmers market. It has so much more character than filtered (which is clear and has all the sediment filtered out).
- Fresh lemon juice: Bottled lemon juice won’t give you the bright, fresh flavor this drink needs.
- Apple cider vinegar: This is the secret ingredient that balances the sweetness. It’s the ingredient that makes people ask, “What makes this taste so good?”
- Ginger beer: Since ginger beer is half the liquid in this drink, it makes a difference. I like brands like Fever-Tree or Q Ginger Beer.
- Fresh mint: Fresh mint leaves add a cooling contrast to the warm spices.
How to Make an Apple Cider Mocktail
The technique here is just as important as the ingredients. Here’s what to do (or jump to the full recipe below if you’re ready to get started):
- Prepare the rim first. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of flaky sea salt on a small plate. Run a lemon wedge around your glass rim to moisten it, then dip into the sugar mixture, turning to coat evenly.
- Muddle properly. In your cocktail shaker, gently muddle the lemon peel and mint leaves together. About 10-15 gentle presses should do it.
- Shake with intention. Add the apple cider, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar to the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
- Finish with fizz. Strain into your prepared glass filled with fresh ice, then top with ginger ale. Always add a carbonated ingredient last: you want to preserve those bubbles!
Pro tip: You can also make the cinnamon sugar mixture in a larger batch and store it in a jar. It’s perfect for rimming glasses, sprinkling on oatmeal, or topping homemade hot chocolate.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This apple cider mocktail is incredibly versatile. Here are my favorite ways to serve and adapt it:
- Make a party pitcher. Multiply the recipe by 8. Pour 2.5 oz into a glass and top with 2 oz ginger beer before serving.
- Turn it into a cocktail. Add 1.5 oz of bourbon, spiced rum, vodka, or even tequila. It becomes similar to my apple cider bourbon cocktail, apple cider martini, or apple cider margarita.
- Try different herbs. I love mint, but rosemary gives it more savory, wintery notes.
- Add different juices. Use half apple cider and half cranberry or pomegranate juice. You could also add half fresh squeezed orange juice for a nice compliment.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
While this mocktail is best served immediately to preserve the carbonation, you can prepare components ahead:
- Cinnamon sugar rim mixture: This keeps for 6 months in an airtight container.
- Apple cider mixture: Combine the apple cider, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar up to 24 hours ahead. Store in the refrigerator (see notes in the recipe).
Frequently Asked Questions
No! Apple cider has a deeper, more concentrated apple flavor that makes this mocktail special.
The vinegar adds a subtle acidity and complexity that keeps the drink from tasting too sweet. It mimics some of the depth you’d get from alcohol without any boozy flavor.
Yes! Muddle the mint and lemon in the bottom of a sturdy glass, add the apple cider, lemon juice, and vinegar, then stir well. Strain into your serving glass with ice and top with ginger beer.
The rim and the apple cider base can be prepared ahead, but add the ginger beer just before serving to preserve the bubbles. See my storage tips above for specific timing.
Apple Cider Mocktail
This sparkling apple cider mocktail combines fresh apple cider, ginger beer, and mint with a cinnamon sugar rim for a winter and fall drink that’s great for parties or holidays. Ready in just 5 minutes!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Mocktail
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the rim
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
- Lemon wedge
For the drink
- Lemon peel
- 4 fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- 2 oz apple cider (unfiltered)
- 2 oz ginger beer
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Apple slices, lemon slice, and cinnamon stick, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the rim by mixing the brown sugar, cinnamon, and flaky sea salt on a small plate. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip the rim into the sugar mixture to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon zest and mint leaves to release the citrus oils and mint flavor.
- Add the apple cider, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar to the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared glass filled with fresh ice. Top with ginger ale and gently stir to combine. If desired, garnish with apple and lemon slices, a cinnamon stick, and more mint. Serve immediately.
Notes
Pitcher of 8 servings: In the bottom of a pitcher, muddle 1 large handful mint with 8 lemon peels. Add 2 cups apple cider, ½ cup lemon juice, and 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar. Refrigerate until serving. When serving, pour 2 ½ ounces pitcher into a glass and top with 2 oz ginger beer.
