Sip Festive Fall Flavors with a Post-Apple-Picking Mocktail

(Feature Impact) As the air turns crisp and the leaves start to turn, it's time to return to favorite fall traditions like leaf peeping, bonfires and, of course, apple picking. Once you've returned from the orchard, raise a glass to autumn with this fizzy, fruity Apple Cider Mocktail.

With smooth apple cider, warm cinnamon, bright citrus, gentle spice from ginger and sweetness from maple syrup and brown sugar, this mocktail tastes complex but is simple to make. If you'd like to turn it into a cocktail, all it takes is a splash of bourbon, rum or vodka - making this drink equally adaptable for a quiet evening at home or a celebratory weekend with friends.

Put on your favorite cozy sweater, grab a jug of apple cider and discover more seasonal recipes at Culinary.net.

 

Apple Cider Mocktail

Recipe adapted from Mindful Mocktail
Total time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1/2       teaspoon brown sugar
  
• 1/2       teaspoon powdered cinnamon
  
• 1/2       lemon, divided, for rim then squeezed for juice
  
• 3          ounces apple cider
  
• 1          teaspoon maple syrup
  
• 1/4       teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  
•             ice
  
• 4          ounces ginger beer, ginger ale or non-alcoholic sparkling wine
  
• 1          cinnamon stick
  
• 1/2       small apple, sliced

1. On shallow plate, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Moisten rim of cup with lemon wedge and roll in cinnamon mixture until it sticks.
2. In cocktail shaker or jar with lid, add squeezed lemon juice, apple cider, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and ice. Shake 10-15 seconds to combine.
3. Fill glass with ice and strain in mixture from shaker or jar. Top with ginger beer, ginger ale or sparkling wine. Garnish with cinnamon stick and sliced apple.

Note: Sweetness can be customized to taste by using more or less maple syrup, if desired.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

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