If you're cutting back on the booze but still looking to amp up your drink game with a little something special, this Apple Cider Mocktail is the perfect way to fill your cup!
A simple mix of apple cider, ginger beer, and fresh lemon with a dash of cinnamon. Only 30 calories, no added sugar, and full of flavor and Vitamin C.
When to Make an Apple Mocktail
This easy Apple Mocktail is great for when you’re the designated driver or if you are cutting back on your alcohol consumption and want a fun non-alcoholic drink. It's the perfect weekend treat when you want a refreshing drink with an autumnal vibe. Bonus points for putting it in fancy glassware with a nice garnish….think star anise, apple slices, or a cinnamon stick! 😊
If you're looking for other mocktail recipes, try a refreshing Ginger Beer Moscow Mule Mocktail! If you want to learn more about the Sober Curious Movement or the Difference between a Cocktail and a Mocktail, dig into my educational posts. But if you’re here for a delicious drink recipe, read on!
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Why You'll Love this Apple Mocktail
LOW CALORIE - most of the time, calories from beverages like alcoholic drinks are empty calories, meaning they don't provide nutrients. So swap that sugary cocktail for this mocktail with just 30 calories.
TASTE - Ok, seriously. It tastes like a refreshing apple crisp with a hint of zing (and Vitamin C!) from the fresh lemon. I always go back for a refill!
EASY - stir together 4 ingredients and voila! You have a fancy-schmanzy mocktail sure to make even the most picky drinker happy.
KID-FRIENDLY - this sparkling apple mocktail is so much fun that it's a special drink the entire family can enjoy!
Apple Mocktail Ingredients
This recipe is made with simple ingredients. *Be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom for exact ingredient measurements and full recipe.
Apple Cider: This is the key ingredient that gives this drink a sweet apple flavor! I love using an apple cider from a small business. If you are in Texas, check your H-E-B for Louisburg Cider Mill cider! They've been around since 1977 and are family-owned and run.
Apple cider is unfiltered and raw and doesn't have added sugar so the fruit flavor from the apple really shines through and tastes very crisp! It is minimally processed and typically unpasteurized. To me, it's a better option than apple juice for an apple mocktail because it is more natural and tastes like the flavors of fall. But if you have apple juice on hand, you can substitute using apple juice and make an apple juice mocktail instead! You use such a small amount of it that it still won't be much sugar.
Zero Calorie Ginger Beer: You can use any brand, but I love Reed's Zero Sugar Extra Ginger Beer for every ginger beer mocktail. It is sweetened with a blend of erythritol, stevia leaf extract, and monk fruit extract and contains pressed fresh ginger root!
You could also use regular ginger beer or ginger ale. You can use sparkling water, too!
Lemon Juice: Use a fresh lemon if you have it! It tastes better than lemon juice from a bottle. This adds a nice flavor and as a plus, it also adds Vitamin C which is great for immunity. Feel free to sub the lemon juice with lime juice if you prefer!
Cinnamon: Just a dash of cinnamon levels up the flavor and serves as an apple mocktail garnish, too! Plus, it contains antioxidants. Win-win-win!
Step-by-Step Directions to Make Your Apple Mocktail
Making this fun mocktail is so simple you might find yourself throwing it together for every evening you want an alcohol-free beverage. Just follow the easy steps below!
There's two ways you can make this:
- If you have cocktail shaker: add ice to your shaker. Then add the apple cider, ginger beer, and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Shake well. Pour into a glass over ice and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon sticks.
- If you don't have a shaker: If you don't have a shaker or don't feel like pulling it out and creating another dish to wash, just pour the apple cider, ginger beer, and squeeze of lemon juice in a glass over ice and stir. Then top with cinnamon. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon sticks.
Variations of Apple Mocktail
Fancy - if you want to level up this mocktail, add a cinnamon sugar rim or a thyme sprig to the rim of the glass for garnish!
Spicy - if you prefer a spicy flavor in your alcohol free drinks, add a dash of cayenne pepper.
Alcoholic - if you want to turn this mocktail into a cocktail, do so by adding a shot of vodka or replacing the apple cider with hard cider.
FAQs
You absolutely can, but I recommend using apple cider for the best flavor.
No. By definition, a mocktail does not contain alcohol. If you want to learn more about the difference between a cocktail and a mocktail, I wrote a post about it here!
This mocktail has only 30 calories, minimal sugar, and is a healthy alternative to many alcohol-containing beverages. Learn more about the health benefits of cutting back on drinking.
How to Serve an Apple Mocktail
I love serving any mocktail in fun glassware! There's just something about taking the time to serve up my beverage in a fancy cup that doesn't take much effort but feels special. So whether you are serving this for yourself or as a fun treat for your kids, take a second to pull out something other than a water glass!
Here are some fun options for glassware:
Kate Aspen Rose Gold Cocktail Glass Set
Joyjolt Martini Cocktail Glass Set
Go ahead and garnish your Apple Mocktail with an apple slice and some cinnamon sticks, too! 😊
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I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! I would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please leave me a review below or tag me in a photo or story on Instagram....I LOVE knowing there’s people out there trying out my recipes! 🙂 IG: @mallorythedietitian
📖 Recipe
Apple Mocktail, a Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Recipe
Equipment
- cocktail shaker optional
- gold beaded drinking glasses optional
- martini glasses optional
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Apple Cider I use Louisburg Cider Mill brand
- ¼ cup Zero Calorie Ginger Beer I use Reed's brand
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice about ½ a large lemon
- dash cinnamon
Optional (for garnish)
- apple slice
- cinnamon stick
Instructions
- If you have cocktail shaker: add ice to your shaker. Then add the apple cider, ginger beer, and fresh squeezed lemon juice. Shake well. Pour into a glass over ice and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon sticks.
- If you don't have a shaker: If you don't have a shaker or don't feel like pulling it out and creating another dish to wash, just pour the apple cider, ginger beer, and squeeze of lemon juice in a glass over ice and stir. Then top with cinnamon. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon sticks.
Sarah
I just made these for me and my boyfriend and we both loved it. Will be making again for Dry January....wish us luck!
Mallory
Thank you so much for taking time to leave a review!!! It makes me so happy to know that you loved it. It's one of my favorites. Enjoy your dry Jan! 🙂