The Best Hot Apple Cider Mocktail Recipe for Fall

Sober and sober-curious are gaining popularity, and with that comes a recent rise in non-alcoholic drink recipes. Although I enjoy cocktails as much as the next person, I don’t always want alcohol. I specifically love a Fall drink and one of my favorites is Apple Cider. Now, you might be thinking “Is a Hot Apple Cider Mocktail just Hot Apple Cider?” Sure, it can be but I wouldn’t consider that a mocktail. 

I prefer recipes that offer ingredients to offset the traditional alcohol portion, using simple ingredients and not spirit-free alcohol. One of my most popular recipes is Hot Spiked Apple Cider made with brandy and my goal with this Hot Apple Cider Mocktail Recipe is to offer up an equally delicious and complex flavor. Enjoy!

Jump to my Hot Apple Cider Mocktail Recipe

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Apple Cider vs. Apple Juice

Many people are confused what the difference between apple cider and apple juice is and that’s for good reason. They are both non-alcoholic beverages that are made from the juice of apples. Where apple cider is unsweetened and unfiltered, apple juice is generally sweetened and has other additives, like preservatives. 

It’s important to note that this recipe is for apple cider, and then we will add the sweetness to it in the form of the ginger simple syrup. I 100% of the time choose apple cider over apple juice (bonus points if it’s fresh apple cider from an apple orchard) because I like that cider has not been overly processed and there is nothing added.

Ginger Simple Syrup

Just like not using spirit-free alcohol for mocktails, I also like to use easy-to-find at-the-grocery store ingredients to make simple syrups. It’s so easy to make, and you know exactly what’s in it. The ginger simple syrup used in this hot apple cider mocktail has a lot of flavor, but because it’s balanced with sugar, it isn’t super spicy. It would be great to use later in oatmeal, smoothies, or mixed with sparkling water. The recipe makes 8 oz, and you’ll only use 1 oz for each mocktail, so if you have some remaining, store it in a glass airtight container in the fridge.

What Tools Do You Need to Make an Apple Cider Mocktail?

• Jigger | Part of every well-equipped bar.
• Glass Bottle | This recipe will be 8 oz of simple syrup. If you don’t use the full recipe for mocktails now, store the remaining in a glass bottle in the fridge. It should last two to four weeks.
• Mugs | Especially if you are making this mocktail for a group, glass mugs are so pretty

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Hot Apple Cider Mocktail Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

GINGER SIMPLE SYRUP

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 oz. ginger root (about 3 inches)

APPLE CIDER MOCKTAIL

• 10 oz. Apple Cider (apple as the only ingredient)
• 1 Orange Wedge
• 1 oz. Ginger Simple Syrup
• Cinnamon Stick, for garnish
• 1 Apple Wedge, for garnish

Directions

1. Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of brown sugar to a saucepan and bring them to a boil.
2. Once boiling and the sugar has dissolved, turn off the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature to thicken; this will take about 25 minutes.
3. Add apple cider, simple syrup, and the juice of an orange wedge to a microwave-safe mug.
4. Microwave for 60 seconds (you may need to adjust based on your microwave settings).
5. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple wedge.

Tips

• If you’d like a cold beverage, skip warming up and pour over ice. If you are looking for a sparkling apple cider mocktail, replace the ginger simple syrup with ginger ale or ginger beer.
• Are you planning on making multiple mocktails? You can make this mocktail on the stovetop or slow cooker. Just multiply each ingredient by how many servings you would like! The recipe makes eight servings of simple syrup as is, so that would use 80 oz of apple cider and the juice from one orange.
• Stovetop Method: Warm up the apple cider, simple syrup, and orange juice on the stove and let simmer to keep warm. Ladle into heat-resistant mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple wedge.
• Slow Cooker Method: Add apple cider, simple syrup, and orange juice to a slow cooker and heat on low for 2 hours. Ladle into heat-resistant mugs and garnish with a cinnamon stick and apple wedge.

Other Mocktails to Enjoy!

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