Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail

Before you start

This fall drink starts with cloudy apple cider, the unfiltered juice that tastes deeper than clear apple juice. Simmering part of the cider with cinnamon, cloves and orange peel concentrates it into a spiced syrup, so the finished drink tastes like a warm mulled cider served cold and fizzy.

The syrup takes about 20 minutes to reduce plus time to cool, so make it ahead. At serving time, combine it with more cold cider, a squeeze of lemon and a top of ginger beer or soda water. A cinnamon-sugar rim and a thin apple slice make it feel like an occasion drink.

Ingredients

• Spiced cider syrup480 ml (2 cups) unfiltered apple cider — pasteurized
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 1 strip orange peel
• 25 g (2 tbsp) brown sugar
• To serve240 ml (1 cup) apple cider — chilled
• 30 ml (1 oz) fresh lemon juice
• 360 ml (12 oz) ginger beer or soda water — chilled
• Rim and garnish2 tbsp sugar mixed with ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 thin slices apple

Method

1. Combine 480 ml cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange peel and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2. Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, until reduced by half to about 240 ml and slightly syrupy. It should coat a spoon thinly.
3. Strain into a heatproof jar, discard the spices and cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes, then refrigerate if not using right away.
4. Wet the rims of four glasses with the lemon or a cut apple and dip them in the cinnamon sugar. Fill the glasses with ice.
5. Add 60 ml spiced syrup, 60 ml cold cider and about 7 ml lemon juice to each glass and stir.
6. Top each glass with 90 ml ginger beer or soda water, lift once with a spoon and garnish with an apple slice.

Tips for success

• Taste the syrup before mixing. If it is very sweet, use more lemon or top with soda water rather than ginger beer.
• Slice apples at the last minute or brush them with lemon juice so they do not brown.
• The syrup also makes a good hot drink: mix 60 ml with 180 ml hot water or hot cider.

Substitutions

Apple cider

Clear apple juice works but tastes lighter and sweeter. Increase the lemon juice slightly to keep it balanced.

Ginger beer

Dry sparkling cider (non-alcoholic) gives a more apple-forward drink. Lemon-lime soda is sweeter and more kid-friendly.

Brown sugar

Maple syrup adds a deeper autumn flavor. Use 2 tbsp in the reduction.

Variations

Cranberry apple sparkler

Replace the cold cider with unsweetened cranberry juice and garnish with fresh cranberries.

Caramel apple

Swap the brown sugar for 2 tbsp caramel sauce stirred into the hot reduction.

Troubleshooting

The syrup is too thick or tastes burnt

It reduced too far or the heat was high. Keep it at a gentle simmer and stop at about half the original volume.

The drink tastes flat and sweet

Add more lemon juice and use ginger beer with a strong ginger bite, or switch to soda water.

The rim slides off

Use only a thin layer of juice on the rim and dip it in sugar right before adding ice.

Storage

Refrigerate the spiced cider syrup in a sealed jar and use within 5 days. Cider is perishable once opened; keep it cold and do not leave it out more than 2 hours. Serve topped drinks immediately.

Safety notes

Use pasteurized cider. Unpasteurized fresh cider can contain harmful bacteria and is not recommended for children, pregnant people, older adults or anyone with a weakened immune system.