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The Dry Pour October 22, 2026

Home / Learn / Recipes & Mocktails / Whiskey & Bourbon / Apple Cider Mocktail

Apple Cider Mocktail

Cloudy apple cider shaken with a non-alcoholic bourbon, lemon and maple, in a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass. Fall in a glass, in five minutes.

beClink Editorial · October 22, 2026

5 minTotal
1Serves
<0.5%Alcohol
Three apple cider mocktails with cinnamon-sugar rims, apple slices and rosemary, beside apples and cinnamon sticks

An apple cider mocktail is the fall drink that tastes like the season: cloudy apple cider, a little lemon to sharpen it, maple to round it out, and a non-alcoholic bourbon alternative for the warmth and vanilla you would get from the real thing. A splash of ginger beer on top gives it a lift.

Use the cloudy, unfiltered apple cider sold chilled in the fall, not clear apple juice. It has more body and more apple. For a warm version for a cold evening, see the variations below, or try our non-alcoholic mulled wine.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 120 ml (4 fl oz)Apple cider cloudy and unfiltered, well chilled
  • 45 ml (1½ fl oz)Non-alcoholic bourbon alternative or leave it out for a simpler drinkWhat we usedSpiritless Kentucky 74 Bourbon <0.5%Add · $34.19
  • 15 ml (½ fl oz)Lemon juice freshly squeezed, plus a lemon wedge for the rim
  • 10 ml (2 tsp)Maple syrup to taste
  • 30 ml (1 fl oz)Ginger beer to top
  • 1 tbspCinnamon sugar 1 tbsp sugar with ½ tsp ground cinnamon, for the rim
  • Ice
  • 1Apple slice and a rosemary sprig to garnish
Add all: $34.19Spiritless Kentucky 74 Bourbon
Add all 1

In this glass

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Steps

Rocks glass · Cinnamon-sugar rim, apple slice and a rosemary sprig

  1. Run a lemon wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it in cinnamon sugar. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
  2. Fill a shaker with ice. Add the apple cider, non-alcoholic bourbon alternative, lemon juice and maple syrup.
  3. Shake hard for about 10 seconds, until the shaker is cold, then strain into the glass.
  4. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a thin apple slice and a rosemary sprig.

Make it yours

Hot spiced cider

Warm the cider with a cinnamon stick, two cloves and a strip of orange peel until steaming. Take it off the heat, stir in the bourbon alternative and maple, and serve in a mug without the ginger beer.

Cider sparkler

Skip the bourbon alternative and the ginger beer. Pour the cider, lemon and maple into a flute and top with a dry non-alcoholic sparkling wine.

By the pitcher

For eight, stir 960 ml (4 cups) cider, 360 ml (1½ cups) bourbon alternative, 120 ml (½ cup) lemon juice and maple to taste in a pitcher and chill. Pour over ice and top each glass with ginger beer.

Common questions

How do you make an apple cider mocktail?

Rim a glass with cinnamon sugar and fill it with ice. Shake cloudy apple cider with a non-alcoholic bourbon alternative, lemon juice and maple syrup, strain into the glass, top with ginger beer, and garnish with an apple slice and rosemary.

What is the difference between apple cider and apple juice?

Apple cider here means the cloudy, unfiltered kind sold chilled in the fall. Apple juice is filtered and clear. Cider has more body and a fresher apple taste, which this drink needs.

Can I make it without the bourbon alternative?

Yes. Leave it out and add a little more cider. The bourbon alternative adds warmth and vanilla, but the drink still works without it.

Can I serve it warm?

Yes. Warm the cider with cinnamon, cloves and orange peel, then stir in the bourbon alternative and maple off the heat. Skip the ginger beer.

Can I make a big batch for Thanksgiving?

Yes. Mix everything except the ginger beer in a pitcher and chill it. Pour over ice and top each glass with ginger beer as you serve.

How to serve & pair

Serve cold, over ice, in a rocks glass or a stemless wine glass with a cinnamon-sugar rim.

Good with a cheese board, roast pork, apple pie and anything from a Thanksgiving table.

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