How to Make Apple Cider Cocktails For the Fall

Start With the Best Apple Cider In Your Cocktails

It was a crisp Saturday morning and I was checking out my recipes to find some apple cider cocktails to enjoy a fall cocktail or two later in the day. I found a couple of great recipes but soon realized I forgot to pick up some fresh cider.

A suggestion was made, let’s get some fresh donuts with the apple cider. Then my kids, grandkids and one bonus kid were having a lively discussion on which local Cider Mill had the best donuts and cider. 

We all have our favorites and couldn’t agree so my daughter and grandson drove to both local cider mills and returned with cider and donuts from both.

Cider Tastes Better in the Fall – So Do Donuts

We had a blind taste test for both Mueller’s Orchard and Spicer’s Orchard which are both within 15 minutes of our home. 

We started with tasting the donuts. It was evident from the start that both were absolutely delicious. But some of us liked one donut better and some liked the other. The majority chose Spicers.

As for the Apple Cider, it was so close I kept going back and forth but I finally chose Mueller’s. Both of them had delicious and fresh apple cider.

This was an awesome experiment that I encourage you to try. We had a lot of fun and got to enjoy delicious treats too!

Spiked Apple Cider Moscow Mule With a Twist

My first recipe is called an Apple Cider Moscow Mule.  I am a fan of Moscow Mules anyways because the blending of vodka, ginger beer, and lime is a tasty treat.  

But then you add the sweetness of the cider which brings this drink to a whole new level. This is a great cocktail!

I made a batch for my eager taste testers to try and they loved it! The blending of the apple cider and ginger beer really got our taste buds going. One sip and they were hooked.

Apple Cider Moscow Mule Recipe

• 4 ounces of Mueller’s Apple Cider (or your favorite cider)
• 1 ½ ounce of Ciroc Vodka (or your favorite vodka)
• ¼ ounce lime juice
• 5 ounces of ginger beer
• 2 apple slices for garnish
• Copper Mug 

Put ice in a copper mug. Add apple cider, vodka, and lime juice. Place one apple slice into the cup. Next, top off the drink with approximately 5 ounces of ginger beer. Garnish with an apple slice. As a side note, some people like to substitute ginger ale for ginger beer. I tried it and it tasted slightly sweeter. Feel free to try it for yourself.

Make This Apple Cider Cocktail With the Right Bourbon

Occasionally I like to drink a cocktail called Dark and Stormy. In the fall I like to make mine with apple cider. The blending of bourbon and apple cider really works for me.

My favorite way to enjoy this recipe is with Traverse City Michigan Apple Bourbon. I also use Honey Crisp apples for that extra flavor in my garnish.

Traverse City Michigan Apple Bourbon really elevates this drink with the added mixture of flavors of fall for Bourbon lovers. 

Our happy taste testers were blown away by the divine taste. One of them who isn’t really a bourbon drinker was so surprised by how delicious this concoction was that she is willing to try more bourbon drinks.

Fall  Dark and Stormy

• 2 ounces Mueller’s Apple Cider (or your favorite apple cider)
• 2 ounces Traverse City Michigan Apple Bourbon (or your favorite Bourbon)
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• 2 ounces of Ginger Beer
• Apple Chunks
• Ice

Start with a cocktail shaker with ice and combine the bourbon, apple cider, and lemon juice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a glass with fresh ice. Add the ginger beer and garnish with apple chunks. 

Follow Me For More Recipes

I really enjoy making small changes to some of my favorite recipes for the change of season. They make an easy cocktail for a nice fall day.

Do you have any recipes that you do this with? What are they? Send me a note and I may feature one of your recipes in one of my upcoming posts!