It’s festive cocktail season…
That means spiced apple cider cocktails OR mocktails for all!
This recipe is super simple and will leave your entire home smelling like the holidays for an entire day with no apple spice candle needed! Be the talk of the town and impress your guests this holiday season with this spiced apple cider cocktail recipe.
Still not convinced about giving it a try? Doubt it haha! BUT if you need a little more persuasion this recipe is VEGAN, can be accomplished in 30 minutes, and also makes the perfect mocktail, allowing it to be indulged by all.
One of my favorite parts about this recipe is the aroma it leaves behind. The simmering of the cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, tangerines, and apple juice create a beautiful scent. A scent perfect for the holidays! so yes no candle needed! The scent lingers for a bit, so sit back and enjoy your cocktail or mocktail while soaking in all the festive vibes !!
How easy is it to make this spiced apple cider cocktail?
…Super easy!!! You literally throw everything into one pot, let the mixture simmer and reduce a little. Then allow it to cool completely before adding the rum or vodka. Serve over ice, top off with some ginger ale to your liking, garnish with some fruit rounds…And DONE!
As mentioned previously, this spiced apple cider also makes a fantastic mocktail for the little ones or anyone that doesn’t prefer booze.
To make this spiced apple cider drink as a mocktail simply leave out the rum or vodka. Then you may want to only use one tablespoon of dark brown sugar. This is because the sugar cuts the harshness of the spirit used. But if you’re not using any, you don’t need as much as it may leave the drink a tad sweet. But if super sweet drinks are your thing go for it!! To finish, also serve over ice, top with ginger ale to your liking, and some fruit rounds.
These mocktails/cocktails look beautiful, are super festive, and taste just as amazing!
Really into festive cocktails!? Why not serve a couple of cocktails and let your guests have a mini tasting! My vegan coquito recipe is also quite the festive treat. It can also be made into a mocktail for those that don’t prefer booze.
Serve this spiced apple cider cocktail along with a cheese board, with some homemade cranberry jam (recipe coming soon!) or tasty finger hor d’oeuvres to really impress! Vegan chicharrón de Pollo or garlic tostones are always a good idea, super simple to make, and pair perfectly with cocktails.
Spiced apple cider mock/cocktail
Equipment
- medium pot or saucepan
- strainer/sifter
- Jug
Ingredients
- 2 Sweet apples
- 1 lemon
- 3 Tangerines
- 2 Cinnamon sticks or cassia bark
- ¼ TSP Ground cinnamon
- ¼ TSP Ground cloves
- ⅛ TSP Ground nutmeg
- 2 TBSP Dark brown sugar (any sugar will work well)
- 5 CUPS Cold press apple juice or natural apple juice (NOT FROM CONCENTRATE)
- 1 CUP Rum of choice (Vodka works well too) OPTIONAL
- Gingerale (To top off with)
- Ice (to serve)
Instructions
- Prep the garnish:Slice half an apple into roundsSlice 1½ of the tangerines into roundsSlice ½ lemon into roundsSet aside
- To the pot add the rest of the apples (sliced), ½ lemon juiced, rest of the tangerine juice plus rind, cinnamon sticks, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, brown sugar, and apple juice. If you enjoy citrus add half the lemon rind.
- Boil for about 20-25 minutes, until the apples are tender and the juice has reduced by a third.
- While the mixture simmers, feel free to pop the fruit rounds into the oven at 190°C or 375°F for about 7-10 minutes. This will give them some color and dry them a bit. Let cool on a cooling rack. THIS ENTIRE STEP IS OPTIONAL.
- Remove the mixture from the heat, strain into a jug, and cool down completely.
- Once cool, add the rum to the jug and mix.
- Serve over ice, and top with a couple of ounces of ginger ale to your liking. Garnish with the fruit rounds...AND DONE!!!
- If you prefer for your guests to serve themselves, add ice and the fruit rounds to the jug, add the ginger ale directly to the jug then mix...AND DONE
Notes
- If you're not a fan of too much citrus, leave the lemon out completely.
- Cassia bark is very similar to cinnamon sticks, it is slightly stronger and more fragrant.
- This drink can be served as a mocktail without spirits and tastes just as delicious! Leave out the rum and only use 1 TBS of sugar instead. Follow by serving over ice, topped with ginger ale, and garnished with the fruit rounds.
- Drying the fruit rounds is completely optional, but it does give your drink that extra oomph! And it's super simple to accomplish!