These easy apple cider cocktails can be made with just about any spirit (from tequila, to rye, to rum) and most recipes can even be doubled or tripled, depending on the size of your crew. There’s everything from Spiked Apple Cider and Apple Cider Sangria, to a Spiced Apple Cider Mule. Try them out, pin your faves and cheers to apple-flavored boozy bevs being back and better than ever.
Best Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes
How Do You Like Them Apples
The Langham, New York is one of the most festive hotels this time of year and their new seasonal cocktail is guaranteed to warm you up after a day of shopping and visiting the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. “This drink can be made solely with the Elijah Craig, for those that do not like the smoky flavor of the scotch,” says Shane Caldwell, Club Manager at The Langham Club. Ingredients:
1 oz Elijah Craig Bourbon½ oz Laphroaig 10 Scotch½ oz fresh lemon juice½ oz honey syrup4 oz hot apple ciderApple slices, for garnish
Directions:
Party Favors
“Perfect for a Windy City winter—or any kind of winter, really—this cocktail has bright apple notes in addition to a well-balanced bourbon punch," shares Josué Mancero, mixologist at The Bar at Hotel Zachary in Chicago, IL. Ingredients:
2 oz Saint Liberty Bourbon (or bourbon of your choice)1 oz spiced apple cider honey¼ lemonBarspoon of allspice dramSoda waterOrange peel, for garnishCinnamon stick, for garnish
Directions:
818’s Tequila Honeycrisp
Leave it to Kendall Jenner to create our new favorite cocktail featuring her 818 Tequila, spiced apple cider and a very Instagram-worthy backdrop. We’re going to channel her every time we make a batch this season. Ingredients:
1 ½ oz 818 Reposado Tequila¼ oz lemon juice2 ¼ oz spiced apple cider½ oz honey
Directions:
Spiked Apple Cider
Who wouldn’t want to curl up with a warm mug of this Spiked Apple Cider recipe, courtesy of Ed’s Lobster Bar in New York City? The best part is the large-batch recipe makes a ton so you’ll have plenty left over for guests or you know, yourself. Ingredients:
1 gallon apple cider½ cup lemon juice10 pieces star anise20 clovesHoneyMaple syrup12 cinnamon sticks5 dried all spice berries (crushed)Pinch cayenne
Directions:
The Botanical Cider Cocktail
Wölffer Estate may be synonymous with Summer in a Bottle Rosé, but now they have another beverage to add to their portfolio: cider. No. 139 Botanical Cider was crafted from locally-grown apples handpicked in New York State and infused with herbal extracts blended by Mab & Stoke, a modern herbal wellness company. Ingredients:
4 oz No. 139 Wölffer Botanical Cider2 oz Wölffer Estate Gin Pink½ oz simple syrup½ oz lemon juice2 slices of cucumber1 basil leaf4 mint leaves8 pomegranate seeds1 slice of starfruit
Directions:
Apple Cider Sangria
Sangria definitely doesn’t need to be a summer-only beverage. Infuse the wine-laced Spanish drink with one of our favorite fall and winter flavors: apples. Ingredients:
2 cups apple cider¼ cup Calvados or ApplejackMixed apples (cored, diced and tossed with lemon juice to prevent browning)1 bottle sparkling wine
Directions:
Spiced Apple Cider Mule
Meet the Tequila Mule. Apple cider powder and nutmeg take this Moscow Mule variation to the next (cozy) level. Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Tequila Cazadores Reposado1 tsp spiced apple cider powder1 lemon wedgeGinger beer, to topNutmeg, for garnishMint sprig, for garnish
Directions:
Sagamore Cider
The perfect mix of sweet and spicy—and ideal for Sunday Funday’ing next to a fire. Another bonus? This recipe is batch-able if you’re mixing for a crowd. Ingredients:
4 oz Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey8 oz apple cider1 oz lime juice1 oz simple syrupFew dashes cinnamon2-4 cinnamon sticks, or garnishApple slices, for garnish
Directions:
Captain Morgan’s Hot Cider
We never met a cocktail with cinnamon spice and spiced rum that we didn’t like. The Captain’s Hot Cider included. Ingredients:
1 ½ oz Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum3 oz apple cider½ oz cinnamon syrupApple slice, for garnishCinnamon stick, for garnish
Directions:
Apple of My Eye
A fruity, clean and polished malt with a touch of honey and spice, this whiskey-based cocktail pairs well with orange bitters and apple cider—and weekends outdoors. Ingredients:
1 oz Aberfeldy 12 Year Old¼ oz simple syrup¼ oz Ancho Reyes¼ oz lemon juice2 dashes Regans Orange BittersApple cider
Directions:
Cidralini
Go beyond basic apple cider with a refreshing Cidralini from Clinton Hall. The locally-loved brewpub combines dry sparkling apple cider, white peach puree, peach and orange blossom water and lemon juice for the perfect bubbly brunch cocktail. Ingredients:
4 oz dry sparkling apple cider1 oz white peach puree¼ oz peach blossom nectar1 splash of orange blossom water1 bar spoon of fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Fall Feels
Born in Montauk, and produced in Mexico, Montaukila is a 100% blue agave tequila that’s so good in this ‘Fall Feels’ libation with apple cider, star anise and a cinnamon sugar rim. Ingredients:
4 oz Montaukila Anejo2 oz Grand Marnier8 oz apple cider¼ tsp sugar (for rim)¼ tsp cinnamon (for rim)Apple slices (for garnish)Star anise (for garnish)
Directions: Up next, 15 of the best no-bake apple desserts.
