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

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!

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

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The post The Best Hot Apple Cider Mocktail Recipe for Fall appeared first on Very Obsessed.

Jump to my Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe

If you buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support! See disclosure for details.

Brandy vs. Whiskey

A traditional old fashioned is made with whiskey but brandy gives a more mild, slightly sweet flavor to the classic cocktail. People will ask why a Wisconsin Old Fashioned is different, and using brandy instead of whiskey is the key difference. Brandy isn’t sweet by any means, which is why we add sugar, but it won’t burn your chest the way whiskey does.

I find that brandy goes really well with apple cider. Since brandy is made from grapes it’s complements the apple in the cider, as opposed to whiskey that can overwhelm the apple cider flavor. Since traditional apple cider is just made from raw apple juice, and there is no sweetener added, it’s important to pair with a mild alcohol.

The secret to a good old fashioned is a) the alcohol used (I always choose brandy) 2) including ALL the ingredients 3) the correct proportions. I’ve made countless old fashioneds and I like 2 to 1 parts mixer to alcohol.

What Tools Do You Need to Make an Apple Cider Old Fashioned?

• Double Old Fashioned Glasses | The drink is in the name! These cut crystal glasses are made for this cocktail. They’re pricey but gorgeous and make great gifts!
• Jigger | Part of any well-equipped bar.
• Muddler | Getting those orange flavors into the drink enhances the cocktail.
• Large Ice Cube Mold | The larger the ice cube, the slower it will melt and water down the drink

Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• ½ of an orange slice
• ½ tsp brown sugar
• 3 dashes bitters
• 2 oz brandy (I prefer Korbel)
• 4 oz apple cider
• Cinnamon stick for garnish
• Apple slice for garnish

Directions

1. Place brown sugar and orange in an old fashioned glass
2. Add bitters and muddle breaking up the orange
3. Add ice cube, brandy, and apple cider
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of apple

More Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes:

• Apple Cider Donut Martini
• Warm Spiked Apple Cider
• Cranberry Apple Cider Martini

DISCLOSURE: If you buy something through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. I only feature products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are my own. And because I am very obsessed with FTC compliance, check out my full disclaimer here.

Pin this post and save it for later! Don’t forget to connect with me on Instagram and Pinterest!

The post Apple Cider Old Fashioned Recipe appeared first on Very Obsessed.