Bright, spiced, and fizzy, this apple cider ginger beer mocktail is a quick 5-minute fall drink with citrus, cinnamon, and apple garnish.
Apple cider mocktails are one of my favorite fall drinks, and when I tried adding ginger beer to it, my favorite might just be overthrown. The combination creates this perfect balance that's both comforting and refreshing, with that sweet, tart apple flavor enhanced by a spicy, fizzy kick.
This mocktail has bright citrus notes and the warming spice and fizz make it taste like fall but more complex than regular apple cider. The gentle warmth from the cinnamon makes it feel seasonal without being heavy.
I make this when I want something that feels festive but not too rich, especially when I'm craving apple cider but want something with more depth. It takes about 5 minutes to muddle and shake together, and it stays refreshing instead of flat.
Since I started making this, my husband intentionally brings home ginger beer whenever he goes grocery shopping, even when it's not on the list. He knows I'll find a way to use it, and honestly, he's not wrong because this drink has become such a regular request in our house. The first time I added ginger beer to my usual apple cider mix, I wasn't sure if it would work, but that first sip completely changed my mind about what apple cider drinks could be.
Ingredients
Apple cider gives this mocktail that crisp, slightly sweet base that screams fall to me. Fresh orange juice brightens everything up, and a splash of lime juice cuts through the sweetness and keeps it from being too heavy or one-note. Honey adds this subtle richness that balances out all the citrus without taking over.
Ginger beer brings that spicy kick and fizz that keeps it refreshing instead of flat. A cinnamon stick infuses gentle warmth as you stir, making the whole thing feel festive and seasonal. Apple slices for garnish look nice and give you a hint of what's inside before you even take a sip.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
This apple cider ginger beer mocktail is bright, spiced, and fizzy, making it an easy drink to mix up for fall gatherings or a cozy night in.
Prepare the Glass
Start by filling a tall glass with ice. This will chill the drink as you build it and keep it refreshing until the last sip.
Mix the Base
In a cocktail shaker, add the apple cider, orange juice, lime juice, and honey. Drop in the cinnamon stick and gently muddle it against the side of the shaker to release some of its flavor. Shake the mixture briefly, about 10–15 seconds, to blend the ingredients together.
Strain and Build
Remove the cinnamon stick from the shaker, then strain the mixture into your prepared glass over the ice. This keeps the drink smooth while still carrying the infused flavor of the cinnamon.
Add the Fizz
Pour the ginger beer over the strained mixture, letting the bubbles bring everything together. Stir gently with a spoon to mix without losing too much carbonation.
Garnish and Serve
Finish by adding a few apple slices to the glass and, if you like, return the cinnamon stick as a garnish. Serve immediately while the drink is cold and fizzy.
From Mocktail to Cocktail
To make it a cocktail, I add bourbon or spiced rum to the apple cider mixture before topping it with ginger beer. Both work really well with the fall flavors, with bourbon adding more depth and rum playing up the spice. Using a smooth, good-quality spirit keeps it balanced instead of harsh.
For an extra touch, I sometimes rim the glass with cinnamon sugar or drizzle a little caramel inside before pouring. I've found that about 1½ to 2 ounces of bourbon or rum works best, but you can adjust based on how strong you like it. Serving it over plenty of ice keeps it crisp, and a garnish of apple slices or a cinnamon stick makes it feel fancy enough for when you have people over.
Top Tips for Apple Cider Ginger Beer Mocktail
Substitute maple syrup for honey: This gives the drink a richer, earthy sweetness that works well with the apple cider and ginger beer.
Chill the ginger beer and apple cider before mixing: Doing this keeps the drink crisp and refreshing without watering it down with too much ice.
Let the cinnamon stick infuse longer: Allowing it to sit in the shaker with the juices before straining creates a stronger, spiced flavor.
The Forest is Full of Mocktails
If you enjoy the crisp apple and spice pairing in this mocktail, you might also like the appletini mocktail, which leans into a brighter and slightly sharper apple flavor. For something that mirrors the richness of this recipe but with a touch more sophistication, the easy apple cider martini mocktail uses cider in a way that feels festive and seasonal.
If you’re in the mood for a deeper flavor, the non-alcoholic whiskey sour brings a bold citrus balance that works well for fall get togethers. Spiced drinks also shine during the season, and both the pumpkin pie martini mocktail and the pumpkin spice whiskey mocktail are excellent options if you want to bring in those holiday flavors. For something a little cozier, the non-alcoholic cinnamon rum martini mocktail has a spiced depth that makes it a great companion to apple-based drinks.
Apple Cider Ginger Beer Mocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz apple cider
- 2 oz fresh orange juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ cup ginger beer
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Apple slices for garnish
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill tall glass with ice.
- In shaker, combine apple cider, orange juice, lime juice, and honey. Add cinnamon stick and muddle gently. Shake briefly.
- Strain into glass over ice.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon stick.
- Serve immediately.
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