This apple cider ginger mocktail is cozy, fizzy, and ready in 5 minutes. Apple cider, fresh citrus, and a splash of maple syrup get topped with ginger beer for a drink that tastes like fall in a glass, no alcohol needed.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon, Target, and other partners. If you purchase through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!
It is easy enough for a quiet afternoon and dressed up enough for a party, especially with a cinnamon sugar rim on the glass.
🛒 Ingredients
- Apple cider – fresh apple cider gives the best flavor. Cloudy apple juice works as a stand in if cider is not available where you live.
- Orange juice and lemon juice – both freshly squeezed for the brightest flavor. This is what balances all the sweetness from the cider and ginger beer.
- Maple syrup – completely optional. Taste the mix before adding it, since ginger beer is already quite sweet on its own.
- Ginger beer – tops off the glass and adds the fizz. Kombucha is a good swap if you want something milder and a little tangy.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
🥃 How To Make An Apple Cider Ginger Mocktail Step By Step
🍎Optional Cinnamon Sugar Rim (do this first before starting): For a cinnamon sugar rim, pour the cinnamon sugar onto one small plate and the maple syrup onto another. Dip just the outer rim of a rocks glass into the syrup, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Set the glass aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, or right in the glass, combine the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup. Stir well, or shake briefly if using a shaker.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour the apple cider mixture over the ice.
- Top with the ginger beer.
- Garnish with apple slices, the cinnamon stick, a dusting of ground cinnamon. More ideas for garnish: star anise or a fresh rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.
Rita's Tip
Add the ginger beer last and pour it gently over the back of a spoon so the mocktail stays fizzy all the way to the last sip.
📋 Tips
- Squeeze the citrus fresh – bottled juice works in a pinch, but fresh orange and lemon juice give the brightest flavor.
- Taste before you sweeten – mix everything except the ginger beer first, then add maple syrup only if it needs it.
- Pour the ginger beer last – topping the glass right before serving keeps all the fizz.
- Batch the base ahead for a party – mix the apple cider, juices, and cinnamon stick a day ahead and refrigerate, then add ice and ginger beer right before serving.
👨🍳 Equipment I Love For This
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Want the whole set in one box? A bartender kit usually bundles a shaker, jigger, and strainer together.
Buy Now → 
🍱 Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. Keep the apple cider and citrus base in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Add ice and ginger beer fresh each time you pour a glass.
- 🕒To Make Ahead. Mix everything except the ginger beer up to a day ahead and refrigerate.
- ❄️Freezing. Not recommended. The ginger beer will go flat once thawed.
FAQ
Pour cinnamon sugar onto one small plate and maple syrup onto another. Dip just the outer edge of the glass in the syrup, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar to coat.
Not necessarily. Mix everything else first and taste it, since ginger beer is already quite sweet. Add maple syrup only if the drink needs it.
Yes. Ginger beer is sweeter with a stronger ginger flavor, while kombucha is milder with a tangy, fermented twist. Either works as the mixer.
What To Serve With An Apple Cider Ginger Mocktail
More Cozy Drink Recipes You'll Like
📖Recipe
Apple Cider Ginger Mocktail
Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider, non alcoholic
- 1 ½ ounces orange juice, freshly squeezed
- ½ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, or honey, optional
- 4 ounces ginger beer, or kombucha*
- ice cubes
For the Rim (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
- ½ ounce pure maple syrup, for dipping the rim
For Garnish (Optional)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- apple slices
- pinch ground cinnamon, for dusting on top
- 1 star anise
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Optional Pre Step: For a cinnamon sugar rim, pour the cinnamon sugar onto one small plate and the maple syrup onto another. Dip just the outer rim of a rocks glass into the syrup, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Set the glass aside.1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar, ½ ounce pure maple syrup
- In a cocktail shaker, or right in the glass, combine the apple cider, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and the cinnamon stick. Stir well, or shake briefly if using a shaker.4 ounces apple cider, 1 ½ ounces orange juice, ½ ounce lemon juice, 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, 1 cinnamon stick
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.ice cubes
- Pour the apple cider mixture over the ice.
- Top with the ginger beer.4 ounces ginger beer
- Garnish with apple slices, the cinnamon stick, a dusting of ground cinnamon, and star anise or a rosemary sprig if using. Serve immediately.apple slices, 1 cinnamon stick, pinch ground cinnamon, 1 star anise, 1 sprig fresh rosemary
Notes
- Cinnamon sugar rim: pour cinnamon sugar on one plate and maple syrup on another. Dip just the outer edge of the glass in the syrup, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar to coat the rim.
- Apple cider: fresh apple cider is best for this mocktail, but if you cannot find it where you live, do not stress. Cloudy apple juice works as a substitute, or make your own at home.
- Sweetener: maple syrup is completely optional, and you might not need it if you are using ginger beer, since it is already very sweet. Mix everything else first, taste, then stir in maple syrup only if it needs it.
- *Ginger beer or kombucha: it is completely up to you which mixer you choose. Ginger beer adds more sweetness and a slightly stronger flavor, while kombucha is milder with a tangy, fermented twist.
- Bartender kit: if you make mocktails and cocktails often, a full bartender kit is worth having on hand. It usually bundles a shaker, jigger, and strainer in one set.
Comments
No Comments