Beyond its traditional role as a standalone, fall-capturing beverage, apple cider can also serve as the foundation for many delicious cocktails. For National Apple Cider Day (November 18th), we’re going to chat about how apple cider is made and how to incorporate it into mixology, making six different apple cider cocktails. Let’s get started!

What Is Apple Cider?

Apple cider is pretty much the quintessential beverage of the fall season, in all honesty! It’s sweet, tart, and it captures the season’s best fruit: apples. Cider really does embody the essence of autumn., making it the perfect ingredient to pop into fall cocktails.

How is Apple Cider Made?

The process of making apple cider is actually really simple. If you’ve ever gone to pick apples, you might have seen those traditional cider machines with tiny motors going “pop, pop, pop.” 

Making cider typically begins with a selection of apples that are picked at the peak of ripeness, chosen for their flavor and sweetness. The apples are then washed and sorted, although imperfections really don’t have much impact on the final product. In fact, more pristine apples are generally kept for selling whole, and the imperfect apples are used in cider, typically.

Next comes the pressing stage, where the apples are crushed to extract their juice. Traditionally, this was done with wooden presses, but modern cider production often employs mechanical presses to efficiently extract every last drop of liquid gold from the fruit. The resulting apple juice is unfiltered and may have a cloudy appearance, a characteristic feature of fresh, unprocessed apple cider.

Now What?

Once the juice is extracted, it can be enjoyed as a non-alcoholic beverage, known simply as “apple cider.” However, if you’re in the mood for something a bit stronger, the juice can also be fermented to create hard cider or apple cider vinegar, depending on the desired end product. 

Fermenting Apple Cider

Fermentation is achieved by adding yeast to the juice, which converts the sugars into alcohol. The length of fermentation and choice of yeast strains can result in a wide range of flavors and alcoholic content.

How Do I Make the Best Apple Cider Cocktails?

Creating the best apple cider cocktails requires a blend of creativity and attention to detail. By following a few key tips and tricks, you can take your apple cider concoctions to the next level, ensuring that every sip bursts with the flavors of fall. Let’s take a look:

1. Start with Fresh Ingredients

The foundation of any great cocktail is using fresh, high-quality ingredients. When making apple cider cocktails, begin with freshly pressed apple cider. Avoid the overly sweetened and processed varieties commonly found in supermarkets. Seek out local orchards or farmers’ markets for the freshest apple cider available.

2. Choose Local Spirits

To enhance the regional flavors of your apple cider cocktails, opt for locally distilled spirits. Local distilleries often produce unique and artisanal spirits that complement the natural sweetness of apple cider. Whether it’s a craft bourbon, apple brandy, or spiced rum, supporting local distillers can elevate your cocktail game.

3. Balance the Sweetness

Apple cider already brings a sweet and fruity flavor to your cocktails, so be mindful not to overdo it with additional sweeteners. Use syrups, such as maple or cinnamon, sparingly to add complexity without overwhelming the drink with sugar.

4. Consider the Temperature

Temperature matters. Some apple cider cocktails are best served cold over ice, while others, like hot toddies (see recipe below), are meant to be enjoyed warm. Ensure your cocktails are served at the ideal temperature for the best taste experience.

5. Add Spice and Aromatics

Embrace the season’s spices and aromatics. Cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and fresh ginger can add warmth and depth to your cocktails. Experiment with these ingredients to find the right balance of flavors that suits your taste.

6 Apple Cider Cocktails to Try for National Apple Cider Day

Now, let’s get to the fun part of this apple cider discussion! We know you’re dying to mix up some apple cider cocktails to impress your friends and family on National Apple Cider Day, so here are six delicious ones for you to try, keeping the above tips in mind.

#1: The Classic Apple Cider Margarita

The Apple Cider Margarita is a refreshing autumnal cocktail that blends the vibrant flavors of tequila, triple sec, apple cider, and lime juice for a delightful twist on the classic margarita.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Tequila
• 1 oz Triple Sec
• 4 oz Apple Cider
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add tequila, triple sec, apple cider, and lime juice.
3. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.

#2: The Spiced Apple Pie Cocktail

The Spiced Apple Pie Cocktail combines the richness of spiced rum with the comforting flavors of apple cider and vanilla syrup, delivering a sip of autumn in a glass.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Spiced Rum
• 4 oz Apple Cider
• 1 oz Vanilla Syrup
• Cinnamon Stick for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, combine spiced rum, apple cider, and vanilla syrup.
2. Stir well and garnish with a cinnamon stick.

#3: The Caramel Apple Moscow Mule

The Caramel Apple Moscow Mule is a delightful cocktail that combines the zing of ginger beer with the rich sweetness of caramel syrup and apple cider, creating a perfect blend of flavors for the fall season.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Vodka
• 4 oz Apple Cider
• 1 oz Caramel Syrup
• Ginger Beer
• Apple Slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fill a copper mug with ice.
2. Add vodka, apple cider, and caramel syrup.
3. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a slice of apple.

#4: The Apple Cider Sangria

The Apple Cider Sangria combines the rich flavors of apple cider with white wine, brandy, and a medley of fruits, creating a refreshing and fruity autumnal punch.

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of White Wine
• 2 cups Apple Cider
• 1/2 cup Brandy
• 1/4 cup Orange Liqueur
• Sliced Apples, Oranges, and Cinnamon Sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, combine white wine, apple cider, brandy, and orange liqueur.
2. Add sliced apples, oranges, and cinnamon sticks.
3. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

#5: The Cinnamon Apple Whiskey Sour

The Cinnamon Apple Whiskey Sour combines the rich warmth of bourbon with the zesty kick of lemon juice and a touch of cinnamon syrup for a perfectly balanced and autumn-inspired drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 1 oz Lemon Juice
• 1 oz Cinnamon Syrup
• Apple Slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, and cinnamon syrup.
2. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with an apple slice.

#6: The Hot Apple Toddy

If you’re looking for something to warm you up on a blustery fall afternoon, the Hot Apple Toddy fits the bill. It combines bourbon with hot apple cider, garnished with warming spices and citrus.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bourbon
• 6 oz Hot Apple Cider
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• Cloves and Lemon Slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a heatproof glass, combine bourbon and hot apple cider.
2. Add a cinnamon stick.
3. Garnish with cloves and a lemon slice.

Find Delicious, Craft Spirits for Your Apple Cider Cocktails at Distillery Nearby

We hope you’ve found some fun, fall inspiration to craft some delicious apple cider cocktails – and maybe even just sip on some plain apple cider! Our recommendations can be enjoyed everyday, not just on National Apple Cider Day! Don’t forget, to make your fall cocktails even more special, we recommend you consider buying some locally-distilled spirits. Crafted with care and a sense of place, these spirits can infuse your cocktails with unique flavors!

Here at Distillery Nearby, we wanted to make finding local, craft spirits easy. Explore our by-state distillery directory today to discover the craft distilleries near you. Not only can you find great cocktail ingredients, but you can also support your local economy. 

Don’t miss the chance to elevate your apple cider cocktails. Visit our distillery directory today and toast to the season with each flavorful sip. Cheers, and we hope you enjoy the fall season!