This easy non-alcoholic drink recipe is sweet, spiced, & crisp - everything fall should be. Shake up a yummy Spicy Apple Cider Mocktail when the days are cool and you want to sip on something fancy that's downright delicious.
Why this Fall Mocktail Recipe is Amazing: While others are spiced with a bit of cinnamon, this drink is also spicy to really heat up those cool autumn days as winter approaches.
This alcohol-free cocktail is great for fall harvest, costume parties, picnics at the pumpkin patch, while apple picking, or celebrating Halloween. Mix up just a couple or a few batches and add to a pitcher for a crowd.
I created this recipe when I was starting to miss sipping on a yummy summer favorite, Berry Ginger Beer Mocktail. Ok, now we get mixing!
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Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients needed to make this non-alcoholic cocktail recipe. All it takes is 5 items.
Here are important notes for some ingredients:
- Apple Cider - the crisp sweet tart fruit juice is unfiltered with bolder flavor than apple juice - use the real thing.
- Ginger Beer - the non-alcoholic bubbly mixer is stronger than ginger ale with crisp bright flavor. Diet or Regular works and try brands like Bundaberg, Topo Chico, or Fever Tree.
- Lime Juice - a touch of citrus.
- Cinnamon - a classic fall spice with warm spiced flavor.
- Hot Honey - the secret ingredient with sweet heat makes this the BEST!
See the recipe card for full list, quantities, & any substitutions/variations.
How to Make a Spicy Apple Cider Mocktail
It is a pretty simple drink recipe and no one will miss the alcohol. It is great for kids, teens, adults, & pregnant women to enjoy.
Here are the items this recipe requires. This will be a shaken drink served on the rocks. You will need a cocktail shaker - see the TIPS section below how to make this without one.
Plus you will need two glasses or more. You can use high ball (as seen below), or lowball ,even copper mugs like used for Moscow mules.
Here are the easy steps for making an non-alcoholic drink with apple cider:
- Prep & Shake
- Top & Serve
See the step-by-step instructions with photos below plus the recipe card at the end of the post.
1 - Prep & Shake
Important note: this drink is shaken twice. Once without ice so the honey and cinnamon will dissolve first and not seize up if too cold. Then again with ice to get the drink cold before serving on the rocks (this helps it to not water down the drink).
An optional step is to rim each glass with additional cinnamon. Rub lime juice along the edge of each glass. Sprinkle cinnamon into a small plate and dip the glasses upside into the cinnamon and roll to coat.
In the shaker add the lime juice, apple cider, cinnamon, and hot honey, Place the lid on tight!
Shake vigorously for 30 seconds so the honey and cinnamon dissolve into the other liquids.
Open the lid of the shaker and add a few pieces of ice. Shake for 15 seconds to make the drink cold.
Fill two glasses ⅓ of the way full of crushed or cubed ice.
Open the strainer top of the shaker and fill each glass in equal amounts.
2 - Top & Serve
When making cocktails or mocktails, carbonated beverages are typically added directly to the glass. They are not shaken because it loses some of the fizz plus can become a messy explosion.
Once the glasses are half full, top with the ginger beer.
Add a straw and stir to combine. Top with a slice of fresh apple if desired.
What to Serve with Apple Cider Mocktails : Pair this with other fall favorites. These party finger foods go well with this drink; Honey-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, Sweet Potato Fries, or Halloween Muddy Buddies.
It's a great zero-proof drink on game day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or for September - November birthdays.
Recipe Tips & Behind the Scenes
Here's my recipe for success - including what I learned when testing, fun stories, recipe history, and more.
- #1 Tip - do not substitute the apple cider with apple juice if you want the best taste & pretty aesthetics of the unfiltered juice with autumn colors.
- #2 Tip - know about when to shake vs when to stir a drink and why the drink is topped with ginger beer.
- SHAKE for at least 30 seconds - you want the hot honey to dissolve as much as possible. Then shake a 2nd time to chill.
- Don't have a cocktail shaker?! No problem, whisk the liquids vigorously in a large glass measuring cup - then pour.
- This is a virgin cocktail - even the ginger beer is alcohol-free. For a similar recipe with alcohol, try my Easy Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail Recipe.
- If you want a spicy ginger beer cocktail with alcohol try my Jalapeno Basil Moscow Mule.
FAQ
Ginger beer has a stronger more "gingery/herbal" flavor than ginger ale. But if you want to substitute it, it will work fine. The milder flavor may be preferred by children.
Though cool weather in fall or winter makes this sound like it would be lovely served hot, I have not tried making it that way. I am not sure how well warm ginger beer would taste even though apple cider is always delicious warm or cold.
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Spicy Apple Cider Mocktail
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
- 2 High Ball Glasses
Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 tablespoon hot honey
- ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 bottle ginger beer regular or diet
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker add the cider, lime juice, hot honey, and cinnamon. Place the shaker lid on tight. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds to combine the ingredients until the honey dissolves into the other liquids. Note: this is done first without ice so the liquid isn't too cold which keeps the honey from combining and makes sure it doesn't firm up vs dissolve.4 ounces apple cider, 1 ounce lime juice, 1 tablespoon hot honey, ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
- Open the lid and add a few ice cubes to the shaker. Shake again for a few seconds to get the drink nice and cold this time.
- Fill two glasses ⅓ of the way with crushed or cubed ice.
- Take the small top off the shaker and pour the cider liquid through the strainer so each glass has equal amounts.
- Top off each mocktail with ginger beer. Stir gently to combine.1 bottle ginger beer
- Add a straw if desired. OPTIONAL garnish such as a slice of fresh apple, lime wedge, or cinnamon stick.
Notes
- Use ginger ale for a milder ginger flavor or a more kid-friendly version.
- Do not substitute with apple juice, the color, flavor & intense apple flavor will not give the same pretty Fall aesthetic vibes.
Nutrition
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