Ingredients
- 3 cups sparkling apple cider, well chilled
- 1 cup ginger beer, well chilled
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp caramel syrup (optional)
- Cinnamon sugar, for rimming
- Thin apple slices and cinnamon sticks, for garnish
- Star anise, for garnish (optional)
- Ice
Instructions
- Rim the glasses. Dip the rims of 4 glasses in a little cider, then in cinnamon sugar.
- Ice them. Fill each glass with ice.
- Pour the bubbles. Pour 3/4 cup sparkling cider, 1/4 cup ginger beer, the lemon juice, and caramel syrup (if using) into each glass — gently, to keep the fizz alive.
- Garnish. Add an apple slice, a cinnamon stick, and star anise if you like to each glass.
- Serve. Serve immediately while bubbly and ice-cold.
💡 Cider mocktail smarts
Chill both bottles thoroughly — warm bubbles go flat in seconds flat. The cinnamon-sugar rim is non-negotiable; it's the whole fall vibe in one sip. For a dessert version, add a splash of caramel syrup to each glass.
Common questions
It's too sweet — how do I fix it?
Use a dry sparkling cider and increase the ginger beer, which brings spice and bite to balance the sweetness.
Can I make it without carbonation?
Yes — use still apple cider and swap the ginger beer for ginger ale; you'll still get gentle fizz.
Can I batch it in a punch bowl?
Absolutely — scale it up and float thin apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Add ice to glasses, not the bowl, to avoid diluting.
Kid-friendly version?
Skip the ginger beer (it can be spicy) and use extra sparkling cider with a splash of lemon-lime soda.
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