When fall rolls around, and there is an abundance of apples, you could bake a flaky, buttery apple pie or an apple crumb. But if you want a more boozy option, you can always make decadent dessert-like cocktails, where apple cider is the real star of the show.
Apple cider is a perfect base for all kinds of cocktails some of which are as follows:
An apple cider sangria is never boring and neither is it difficult to make. The ingredient list is short, including apple cider, white wine, apple brandy, and ginger ale.
The apple cider and apple brandy highlight the flavor of juicy apples, while the white wine, ginger ale, and lemon juice brighten and lighten it up. For this sangria, opt for a dry, crisp instead of a sweet one because it will make the cocktail too sweet. You can use Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
As the temperatures start to dip, we crave comforting, autumnal flavors like an apple cider mimosa. You only need 2 ingredients to make this cocktail: apple cider and champagne. You can make apple cider at home or buy it from the store. As for champagnes, it depends on your budget.
If you are willing to splurge, you can get 100% chardonnay like a Ruinart Blanc De Blanc. But at $80 a bottle, Korbel Brut, a classic Champagne alternative that is only $12, might be a better choice for some.
An apple pie martini is made with juicy apple cider, vodka, and butterscotch schnapps. The flavorless vodka allows the complex flavor of the cider and butterscotch to shine. Totally optional is an equal amount of bourbon that gives the martini a warm flavor appropriate for the colder months.
Depending on your alcohol tolerance and preference, you can adjust the amount of vodka in the martini. Shake apple cider, vodka, and butterscotch schnapps in a cocktail shaker and garnish with apples before serving.
Serve a classic Moscow mule with a twist the next time you celebrate with your friends. This cocktail combines vodka, ginger beer, and lemon juice. However, in this recipe, your Moscow mule gets a new life with apple cider. The apple flavor plays perfectly with the spiciness of a ginger beer.
This drink is fun and simple to make. It is a no-tools-required drink that is easy to mix up. You only need copper mugs, which help enhance the taste and aroma of the mule and keep your drink colder for long periods.
An ideal cocktail that keeps you warm when it is freezing outside is a hot buttered rum cocktail or anything with rum, for that matter. Rum increases your body temperature and keeps you warm.
In this hot buttered rum recipe, you need a buttered rum batter consisting of beaten, brown sugar, ice cream, and cinnamon. This batter is then frozen. For the drink, you need to heat the cider until boiling and pour it into the drinking cups. Top this with the batter and rum and stir before serving.
Margaritas are a quintessential holiday cocktail. They are warm, cozy, and inviting, thanks to a combination of smooth tequila and zesty orange and lime juice. However, an apple cider margarita has a slightly tart and sweet cider. You can also add honey and a pinch of cinnamon to elevate this cocktail.
Tequila and apple cider pair beautifully because the cider’s sweet apple taste amplifies the flavor of the warm, spiced, honeyed tequila. For a fall theme, dip the rims of the glasses in cinnamon sugar instead of salt.
An apple cider Long Island iced tea has quite a long list of ingredients, but it only takes minutes to put together because all you have to do is pour and stir. For this drink, you need to mix apple cider, fresh lemon juice, gin, vodka, light rum, tequila, triple sec (orange-flavored liqueur), and superfine sugar in a cocktail shaker and mix until ready to serve.
Despite having multiple liquors, it is light and tastes delicious, like apple juice. But be warned, they are still an alcohol drink, so drink responsibly.
Mulled wine, sometimes referred to as spiced wine, has all the colors of fall with various fall spices and fruits. It is fruity, tart, sweet, and smoky, but the warm flavors add a little robustness.
It is extra-easy to make, thanks to the slow cooker. Combine wine, cider, cranberry juice, sugar, cranberries, orange peel and juice, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves and star anise in a slow cooker. Cook on high until warm, for 30 minutes. Serve warm, and garnish each glass with anything you like.
This apple pie moonshine cocktail is made with moonshine, a clear, unaged whiskey made from mashed barley or corn.
But for this version, you can use 190-proof grain alcohol. Combine apple juice, cider, brown and granulated sugars, cinnamon stick, ground ginger and all spices and cook over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat, simmer for an hour, and let cool. Stir in grain alcohol and vodka. Transfer to jars or bottles and shake well before serving.
If eating your apple pie was not enough, you can now drink it with this apple pie sparklers recipe. It has all the flavors of an apple pie you love so much.
Start by wetting the rim of a glass with a slice of apple and dipping it into cinnamon sugar. Then pour 2 oz of vanilla vodka, fill halfway full with Moscato, and top with sparkling cider. Serve with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
A salted caramel apple cider has the best of two worlds: apple and caramel. This cocktail is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. It is simple to make but oh so good. You only need three ingredients and steps for this drink.
Combine apple cider, salted caramel-flavored vodka, and club soda in a bowl. Top with apple slices and serve chilled. You can make the salted caramel-flavored vodka with Pinnacle and UV Vodka or use regular vodka and add caramel drizzle before serving.
If you have cranberries and apple cider, put them to good use with a hot cranberry apple cider cocktail. This drink is delicious and perfect to serve for any Christmas party.
Combine all spiced apple cider, cranberry Juice, cloves, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, and oranges in a large pot and boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer (covered) for 30-45 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove the spices and serve.
A fire ball apple cider float is pure cocktail heaven with rich vanilla ice cream, warm cinnamon whiskey, apple cider, and buttery caramel sauce. This cocktail is sweet and refreshing and doubles as a dessert.
First, you add your ice cream to your glass. Then, pour Fireball Whisky and apple cider and drizzle with caramel sauce. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve. You can use whatever ice cream you prefer, but vanilla ice cream pairs well with the apple and cinnamon flavors.
An apple cider spritz is the fall version of a summery Aperol spritz. This drink is crisp and bright with all the warmth of apple cider and pumpkin spices.
It is pretty straightforward, as well. All you have to do is combine apple cider, Aperol, and pumpkin spice in a large wine glass. The distinct taste and color of the Aperilis what makes this drink unique. Then, stir everything, fill the glass with ice, and garnish with apple and cinnamon. Add a splash of Prosecco and enjoy.
A whisky sour is warm, cozy, and delicious. The addition of apple cider and cinnamon makes it even better. This drink works because Apples and cinnamon are a perfect flavor pairing with whisky.
Start by cooking equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan to make sugar syrup. Add this syrup, whiskey, apple cider, lemon juice, and ice to a shaker and shake well. Pour the drink into a glass, sprinkle top with cinnamon and sugar, garnish rim with a cinnamon-dipped apple slice, and enjoy.
