17 Refreshing Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes for Fall

Apple cider is the ultimate flavor of fall, crisp, cozy, and just the right mix of sweet and tart. Whether you like your drinks warm and spiced or cool and sparkling, cider brings a taste of the orchard to every glass.

These apple cider cocktails are perfect for autumn gatherings, cozy nights in, or festive celebrations.

From bourbon-based sips to rum punches and elegant spritzes, these 17 refreshing recipes will keep you toasting all season long.

1. Apple Cider Bourbon Smash

This Apple Cider Bourbon Smash is a crisp and cozy cocktail that perfectly captures the essence of fall. Fresh apple cider, smooth bourbon, and a touch of maple syrup come together for a drink that’s both refreshing and comforting.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz bourbon
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 1/2 oz lemon juice
4. 1/2 oz maple syrup
5. Dash of cinnamon
6. Apple slice and thyme sprig for garnish

Steps:

1. Shake bourbon, cider, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cinnamon with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
3. Garnish with an apple slice and a thyme sprig.

2. Sparkling Apple Cider Mimosa

A bubbly twist on a brunch classic! This fall-inspired mimosa combines apple cider with champagne for a light, festive drink that’s as easy to make as it is to enjoy.

Ingredients:

1. 3 oz chilled apple cider
2. 3 oz chilled champagne or sparkling wine
3. Cinnamon sugar (for rimming, optional)
4. Apple slice for garnish

Steps:

1. Rim your champagne flute with cinnamon sugar if desired.
2. Pour in apple cider and top with champagne.
3. Garnish with an apple slice.

3. Caramel Apple Mule

Sweet caramel meets tangy ginger beer in this cozy fall take on the Moscow Mule.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz vodka
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 1/2 oz caramel syrup
4. Ginger beer to top
5. Apple slice and cinnamon stick for garnish

Steps:

1. Combine vodka, apple cider, and caramel syrup in a copper mug with ice.
2. Stir and top with ginger beer.
3. Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

4. Spiced Rum Apple Cider Punch

Perfect for parties, this punch combines spiced rum, cider, and citrus for a crowd-pleasing autumn drink.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups apple cider
2. 1 cup spiced rum
3. 1/2 cup orange juice
4. 1/4 cup lemon juice
5. Apple and orange slices for garnish

Steps:

1. In a large pitcher, mix cider, rum, orange juice, and lemon juice.
2. Chill and serve over ice with fruit slices.

5. Apple Cider Margarita

A fall twist on the classic margarita — tart, tangy, and full of seasonal flavor.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz tequila
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 1 oz triple sec
4. 1 oz lime juice
5. Cinnamon sugar rim and apple wedge for garnish

Steps:

1. Rim the glass with cinnamon sugar.
2. Shake tequila, cider, triple sec, and lime juice with ice.
3. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with an apple wedge.

6. Apple Cider Sangria

Sweet, spiced, and perfect for sharing — this fall sangria is a crowd favorite.

Ingredients:

1. 1 bottle of white wine
2. 2 cups apple cider
3. 1/2 cup brandy
4. 1 apple, 1 orange, and 1 pear, sliced
5. Cinnamon sticks

Steps:

1. Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
2. Serve chilled over ice.

7. Warm Spiked Apple Cider

A cozy classic that’s perfect for chilly evenings by the fire.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups apple cider
2. 2 oz dark rum
3. 1 cinnamon stick
4. 1 clove
5. Orange peel

Steps:

1. Heat apple cider with cinnamon, clove, and orange peel in a saucepan.
2. Strain and stir in rum.
3. Serve warm.

8. Apple Cider Gin Fizz

A refreshing, fizzy cocktail with botanical gin and bright apple flavor.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz gin
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 1/2 oz lemon juice
4. Club soda to top
5. Thyme sprig for garnish

Steps:

1. Shake gin, cider, and lemon juice with ice.
2. Strain into a glass, top with club soda, and garnish with thyme.

9. Maple Apple Cider Whiskey Sour

A smooth balance of sweet maple, tart lemon, and warm whiskey — autumn perfection.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz whiskey
2. 1 oz apple cider
3. 1/2 oz lemon juice
4. 1/2 oz maple syrup

Steps:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
2. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

10. Apple Cider Mojito

A light, crisp twist on the mojito with a fall flavor upgrade.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz white rum
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 1/2 oz lime juice
4. 1 tsp sugar
5. Fresh mint leaves
6. Club soda

Steps:

1. Muddle mint and sugar in a glass.
2. Add rum, lime juice, cider, and ice.
3. Stir and top with club soda.

11. Bourbon Apple Cider Spritz

A bright, effervescent cocktail that blends the warmth of bourbon with sparkling cider.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz bourbon
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 2 oz sparkling water
4. Dash of orange bitters

Steps:

1. Mix bourbon, cider, and bitters in a glass with ice.
2. Top with sparkling water and stir.

12. Pumpkin Apple Cider Shandy

A festive, beer-based cocktail that combines fall’s two favorite flavors.

Ingredients:

1. 4 oz pumpkin beer
2. 4 oz apple cider
3. Dash of cinnamon

Steps:

1. Pour cider into a glass, then top with pumpkin beer.
2. Stir gently and dust with cinnamon.

13. Apple Cider Aperol Spritz

A fall makeover for the beloved summer spritz — bright, bittersweet, and bubbly.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz Aperol
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 3 oz prosecco
4. Splash of club soda

Steps:

1. Combine Aperol and cider in a glass with ice.
2. Top with prosecco and soda.

14. Cinnamon Apple Martini

Elegant and aromatic, this martini is the perfect mix of crisp apple and warm spice.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz vodka
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 1/2 oz cinnamon schnapps

Steps:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
2. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

15. Apple Cider Mimosa Mocktail

A non-alcoholic version that’s just as festive and fizzy.

Ingredients:

1. 3 oz apple cider
2. 3 oz sparkling apple juice
3. Cinnamon sugar rim

Steps:

1. Rim your glass with cinnamon sugar.
2. Combine cider and sparkling juice and serve chilled.

16. Honeycrisp Apple Mule

Sweet, crisp, and zingy — this mule is pure fall refreshment.

Ingredients:

1. 2 oz vodka
2. 2 oz apple cider
3. 1/2 oz lime juice
4. Ginger beer to top

Steps:

1. Combine vodka, cider, and lime juice in a copper mug with ice.
2. Top with ginger beer and garnish with an apple slice.

17. Hot Buttered Apple Cider

Rich, cozy, and indulgent — a dessert-like drink perfect for cold nights.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups apple cider
2. 1 tbsp brown sugar
3. 1 tbsp butter
4. 1/4 tsp cinnamon
5. 2 oz spiced rum (optional)

Steps:

1. Heat cider, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a saucepan until warm.
2. Stir in butter until melted.
3. Add rum if desired and serve hot.