19 Apple Cider Mocktails as Crisp as a Fall Day

Take your apple cider to the next level by making an autumn mocktail. No alcohol needed to enjoy these refreshing beverages.

Published October 3, 2022
Mulled wine with apple slices

Partake in the flavors of fall in a cocktail glass, only without the alcohol and buzz, by sipping on an apple cider mocktail instead. Tee up your fall day with a warm cider mocktail, indulge in a midday fizzy drink with a virgin sparkling apple cider mocktail, or keep it simple with a classic apple cider mocktail. Whatever tickles your apple orchard, these virgin apple cider drinks will put your apples to good use.

Amazing Apple Cider Mocktails

Your gallon of apple cider will do the lifting for you in all of these mocktails. From a virgin martini to a sour drink, these have you covered.

Virgin Apple Cider Mocktail Martini

Apple Cider Mocktails

Appletini? Don't know her. Leave the bright green hues to neon signs. This apple cider mocktail is as regal as it gets. You can also swap your nonalcoholic spiced rum for a quarter ounce of nonalcoholic falernum and a splash of cinnamon simple syrup.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces apple cider
  • 1 ounce nonalcoholic spiced rum, optional
  • ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • 2-3 dashes cinnamon bitters
  • Ice
  • Cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple cider, nonalcoholic spiced rum, lemon juice, and cinnamon bitters.
  3. Shake to chill.
  4. Strain into chilled glass.

Virgin Apple Cider Old-Fashioned Mocktail

Virgin Apple Cider Old-Fashioned Mocktail

Sink your teeth into an old-fashioned that won't leave your head fuzzy after a few drinks.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces nonalcoholic bourbon
  • ¾ ounce apple cider
  • ½ ounce simple syrup
  • 3-5 dashes orange bitters
  • 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
  • Ice
  • Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a mixing glass, add ice, nonalcoholic bourbon, apple cider, simple syrup, and bitters.
  2. Stir rapidly to chill.
  3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
  4. Garnish with apple slice and cinnamon stick.

Virgin Apple Cider Sangria Mocktail

Virgin Apple Cider Sangria Mocktail

Easier than shaking apples out of a tree, the apple cider sangria mocktail won't leave you with lumps on your head from wayward falling apples. If you want a closer flavor to sangria, use a nonalcoholic red wine similar to merlot or cabernet sauvignon.

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces apple cider
  • 2 ounces tart cranberry juice
  • ¾ ounce simple syrup
  • ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • Ice
  • Grape and apple slices for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple cider, tart cranberry juice, simple syrup, and orange juice.
  2. Shake to chill.
  3. Strain into wine glass over fresh ice.
  4. Garnish with grape and apple slices.

Virgin Apple Cider Sour Mocktail

Virgin Apple Cider Sour Mocktail

Unlike a typical sour cocktail, this mocktail doesn't call for alcohol, but it has that same familiar texture as a beloved classic sour.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces apple cider
  • 2 ounces nonalcoholic bourbon
  • ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ ounce simple syrup
  • ½ ounce pear nectar
  • 1 egg white
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add apple cider, nonalcoholic bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, pear nectar, and egg white.
  2. Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
  3. Add ice to shaker.
  4. Shake to chill.
  5. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.

Berry Cider Mocktail

Berry Cider Mocktail

Raid your fridge for your favorite juices, or follow the recipe to craft a juicy apple cider mocktail.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces apple cider
  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • ¾ ounce grenadine
  • ½ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • Ice
  • Cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple cider, cranberry juice, grenadine, and lemon juice.
  2. Shake to chill.
  3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
  4. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule Mocktail

Apple Cider Moscow Mule Mocktail

Ginger is an excellent complement to apple cider, and its spiced notes play so well with the sweet apple flavors. You can opt to experiment with a nonalcoholic vodka, but truthfully, this doesn't need it.

Ingredients

  • 3 ounces apple cider
  • 1 ounce freshly-squeezed lime juice
  • Ice
  • Ginger beer to top off
  • Apple slices and grated cinnamon for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a rocks glass or copper mug, add ice, apple cider, and lime juice.
  2. Top off with ginger beer.
  3. Garnish with apple slices, sprinkling grated cinnamon overtop.

Virgin Pomegranate Apple Cider Mocktail

Virgin Pomegranate Apple Cider Mocktail

Lean into succulent pomegranate juice to mingle with fall-favorite apple cider for a mocktail that'll add a beautiful splash of color to your glass.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces nonalcoholic tequila
  • 3 ounces apple cider
  • 2 ounces pomegranate juice
  • ½ ounce cinnamon simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Orange wheel and rosemary sprig for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic tequila, apple cider, pomegranate juice, and cinnamon simple syrup.
  2. Shake to chill.
  3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
  4. Garnish with orange wheel and rosemary sprig.

Nonalcoholic Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktails

Pop a bottle of bubbly! Nonalcoholic sparkling apple cider bubbly, that is. Grab a bottle from your local orchard or as you do your usual grocery shopping, and you're more than halfway to a sparkling apple cider mocktail.

Apple 75 Mocktail

Apple 75 Mocktail

With or without nonalcoholic gin, an apple cider French 75 mocktail riff is the fall cocktail you never knew you needed. And after you try one, your friends will all feel the same way too.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce nonalcoholic gin, optional
  • ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ ounce simple syrup
  • Ice
  • Sparkling apple cider to top off
  • Lemon peel and cocktail cherry for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill a Champagne flute.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  3. Shake to chill.
  4. Strain into chilled glass.
  5. Top off with sparkling apple cider.
  6. Garnish with lemon peel and cocktail cherry.

Sparkling Cider Martini Mocktail

Sparkling Cider Martini Mocktail

The sparkling apple cider punches up any mocktail thanks to the bubbles, taking it from good to great with a quick fizz and a pop.

Ingredients

  • ½ ounce ginger simple syrup
  • ½ ounce nonalcoholic triple sec
  • ¼ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • Ice
  • Sparkling apple cider to top off
  • Apple slice for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, ginger simple syrup, nonalcoholic triple sec, and lemon juice.
  3. Shake to chill.
  4. Strain into chilled glass.
  5. Top off with sparkling apple cider.
  6. Garnish with apple slice.

Sparkling Citrus Apple Mocktail

Sparkling Citrus Apple Mocktail

With a little bit of lemon and orange juices, the sparkling apple cider has a whole new lease on life and a new hold on your favorite way to imbibe in a sparkling mocktail.

Ingredients

  • ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • 2-3 dashes cinnamon bitters
  • Ice
  • Sparkling apple cider to top off
  • Orange slice and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, lemon juice, orange juice, and bitters.
  3. Shake to chill.
  4. Strain into chilled glass.
  5. Top off with sparkling apple cider.
  6. Garnish with orange slice and cinnamon stick.

Fizzy Apple Cider Mocktail

Fizzy Apple Cider Mocktail

Tap into your bottle of nonalcoholic bourbon in a fizzy mocktail that's perfect for all-day horror movie marathons or as a way to enjoy an autumn picnic.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces nonalcoholic bourbon
  • ½ ounce honey syrup
  • ½ ounce nonalcoholic orange liqueur
  • Ice
  • Sparkling apple cider to top off
  • Apple slice, star anise, and pomegranate seeds for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic bourbon, honey syrup, and nonalcoholic orange liqueur.
  2. Shake to chill.
  3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
  4. Top off with sparkling apple cider.
  5. Garnish with apple slice, star anise, and pomegranate seeds.

Apple and Bubbles Mocktail

Apple and Bubbles Mocktail

Give your sparkling apple cider some tart notes with pomegranate and cranberry juice. Not to mention a stunning pop of color that'll have everyone asking to have what you're having.

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce nonalcoholic silver rum
  • ¾ ounce pomegranate juice
  • ¾ ounce tart cherry juice
  • Ice
  • Sparkling apple cider to top off
  • Pomegranate seeds and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill a martini glass or coupe.
  2. In a cocktail shaker, add ice, nonalcoholic silver rum, pomegranate juice, and tart cherry juice.
  3. Shake to chill.
  4. Strain into chilled glass.
  5. Top off with sparkling apple cider.
  6. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and mint sprig.

Sparkling Apple Cider Mimosa Cocktail

Sparkling Apple Cider Mimosa Cocktail

Pumpkin spice lattes aren't the only nonalcoholic cocktail worth sipping in the morning. Your boss may not appreciate the flute glass on your desk, but maybe if you forward the recipe, they'll join you.

Ingredients

  • ½ ounce freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • ½ ounce pineapple juice
  • Sparkling apple cider to top off
  • Apple slice for garnish

Instructions

  1. Chill a Champagne flute.
  2. In chilled glass, add orange juice and pineapple juice.
  3. Top off with sparkling apple cider.
  4. Garnish with apple slice.

Warm Virgin Apple Cider Cocktails

The feeling of growing chill in your bones is actually your body's way of telling you to banish the cold with a virgin warm apple cider mocktail. Whether with breakfast or a way to get your fingers warm in the afternoon, they hit the spot.

Warm Cider Toddy Mocktail

Warm Cider Toddy Mocktail

Kick the cold to the curb with a warming cider toddy mocktail, complete with the perfect touch of ginger to give it a little extra zest.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces apple cider
  • ¾ ounce ginger simple syrup
  • ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • Hot water to top off
  • Cinnamon stick, lemon slice, and cloves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
  2. After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
  3. In warm mug, add apple cider, ginger simple syrup, and lemon juice.
  4. Top off with hot water.
  5. Stir to mix.
  6. To prepare garnish, pierce lemon wheel with cloves.
  7. Garnish with pierced lemon wheel with cloves and cinnamon stick.

Warm Mulled Cider Mocktail

Warm Mulled Cider Mocktail

Steep your cider with spices that'll make you ask, "alco-who?" after that first sip.

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces apple cider
  • 2 whole cinnamon stick
  • ½ teaspoon whole cloves
  • 2 whole star anise
  • Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and star anise.
  2. Allow to warm through for approximately five minutes, but do not allow to boil.
  3. Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
  4. Strain out spices.
  5. After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
  6. In warm mug, add mulled cider.
  7. Garnish with apple slice and cinnamon stick.

Warm Spiced Cider Mocktail

Warm Spiced Cider Mocktail

This mocktail? Like someone wrapped up fall flavors in a flannel blanket, left it fireside for an afternoon, and dipped it in a sunny apple orchard.

Ingredients

  • 5 ounces apple cider
  • 2 ounces nonalcoholic spiced rum
  • ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • Orange wedge and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add apple cider, nonalcoholic spiced rum, orange juice, and cinnamon stick.
  2. Allow to warm through for approximately five minutes, but do not bring to a boil.
  3. Remove cinnamon stick.
  4. Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
  5. After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
  6. In warm mug, add apple cider mix.
  7. Garnish with orange wedge and cinnamon stick.

Warm Citrus Cider Punch Mocktail

Warm Citrus Cider Punch Mocktail

Nurture your body and soul with a healthy dose of vitamin c in a warm apple cider mocktail packed with citrus flavors.

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces apple cider
  • 3 ounces freshly-squeezed orange juice
  • ¾ ounce freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • Orange slice, apple slice, and cranberries for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice.
  2. Allow to heat through for approximately three to five minutes, but do not bring to a boil.
  3. Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
  4. After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
  5. In mug, add apple cider mix.
  6. Garnish with orange slice, apple slice, and cranberries.

Warm Apple Fire Cider Mocktail

Warm Apple Fire Cider Mocktail

There's no way your warm apple cider mocktail won't stand out in a crowd with a few secret, fiery flavors.

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces apple cider
  • 2 ounces nonalcoholic bourbon
  • 1 ounce fire cider
  • ¾ ounce honey
  • Cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add apple cider, nonalcoholic bourbon, fire cider, and honey.
  2. Heat until warmed through, approximately three to five minutes, but do not boil.
  3. Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
  4. After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
  5. In mug, add apple cider mix.
  6. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

Warm Caramel Apple Mocktail

Warm Caramel Apple Mocktail

Go wild with adding as much caramel syrup as you want to this mix. Well, don't go over two ounces but if you really want to push it, add an extra half ounce or so.

Ingredients

  • 5 ounces apple cider
  • 1½ ounces caramel sauce
  • 3-5 dashes cinnamon bitters
  • Dehydrated apple wheel for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, add apple cider and caramel sauce.
  2. Allow to heat through for approximately three to five minutes, stirring often.
  3. Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
  4. After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
  5. In mug, add caramel apple cider mix.
  6. Add bitters.
  7. Garnish with dehydrated apple wheel, if desired.

Apple Cider Mocktail Mixers

Short on time or patience and want an apple cider mocktail in hand fast? Add your apple cider to any of these mixers to have a mocktail in a single blink.

  • Ginger beer or ginger ale
  • Cranberry juice
  • Tart cherry juice
  • Caramel syrup
  • Honey or honey syrup
  • Cinnamon bitters
  • Muddled blackberries or raspberries
  • Nonalcoholic spirits, including bourbon, rum, tequila, and orange liqueur
  • Lemon juice
  • Orange juice
  • Maple syrup
  • Molasses
  • Pear nectar
  • Pomegranate juice
  • Club soda

Falling for Apple Cider Mocktails

Put the abundance of apple cider to good use with a virgin apple cider mocktail. Or two. Or four. The only limit is how well your stomach can handle all of the cider. However many and whenever you enjoy them, they're sure to bring a smile to any face.

19 Apple Cider Mocktails as Crisp as a Fall Day