20 Apple Cider Cocktails for Fall

Once fall hits, apple cider works with just about every bottle on the bar cart. This roundup has shaken cocktails you can make one glass at a time, big-batch sangrias and punches for a party, and warm mugs that simmer on the stove or in the slow cooker.

You’ll find bourbon, tequila, gin, vodka, wine, and a couple of Fireball options in here too. If you’re hosting Friendsgiving, a bonfire, a tailgate, or holiday drinks with the neighbors, cider is the mixer that already tastes like the season. Most of these need only a few things (cider, a spirit, a squeeze of citrus). Many also come with cinnamon-sugar rims or apple slice garnishes that make them look like you tried harder than you did.

Apple Cider Mimosa

This apple cider mimosa is just two ingredients: equal parts chilled apple cider and brut champagne, poured into a flute. Prosecco or any sparkling wine works too. It’s an easy pick for fall brunch or Thanksgiving morning, and you can mix a pitcher for a group. Just add the bubbly right before serving so it stays fizzy.

Apple Cider Margarita

This apple cider margarita shakes tequila, triple sec, fresh lime, and apple cider with a sprig of rosemary. Then it goes into a glass rimmed with salt, sugar, and cinnamon. It’s a fun fall swap for a summer margarita, and the rosemary garnish looks right at home on an autumn table.

Apple Cider Whiskey Sour

Made with whiskey, apple cider, fresh lemon juice and zest, and apple pie spice, this apple cider whiskey sour comes together in a shaker or pitcher. The apple pie spice rim is the best part, and the two-serving recipe is an easy pick for a date night in.

Easy Spiced Apple Cider Martini

Gin and unfiltered apple cider team up in this easy spiced apple cider martini, along with St. Germain, maple syrup, bitters, cinnamon, and muddled thyme. A cinnamon-sugar rim and caramel drizzle dress it up for Thanksgiving without much work.

Apple Cider Martini

This apple cider martini takes a lighter, bubblier route. Vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and maple syrup get shaken and strained, then topped with sparkling apple cider. An apple slice and cinnamon stick finish the holiday-ready glass.

Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail

Think of this apple cider bourbon cocktail as an Old Fashioned’s laid-back cousin. Bourbon, apple cider, simple syrup, and lemon get stirred over ice in a cinnamon-sugar-rimmed glass, and there’s also a warm stovetop version for colder weather.

Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

Combining bourbon, chilled cider, and fresh lemon juice with ginger beer, this bourbon apple cider cocktail has spice and fizz. It makes two drinks in about five minutes, with a cinnamon-sugar rim and apple slices making it look especially polished.

Holiday Spiced Apple Cocktail

Just four ingredients go into this holiday spiced apple cocktail: bourbon, apple cider, maple syrup, and cinnamon. A crosswise apple slice forms a natural star-shaped garnish when dusted with cinnamon, perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Caramel Apple Cocktail

This caramel apple cocktail starts with homemade caramel-infused vodka, warmed with apple cider and served in mugs. Add whipped cream for a caramel-apple finish, but plan ahead because the vodka needs about 24 hours to infuse.

Apple Pie Cocktail with Crown and RumChata

Crown Royal apple whisky, RumChata, and fresh cider get shaken until frothy in this apple pie cocktail with Crown and RumChata. A honey or caramel cinnamon-sugar rim makes the creamy drink taste closer to apple pie à la mode than a classic cocktail.

Fireball Whiskey Apple Cider Cocktail

This Fireball whiskey apple cider cocktail takes just two ingredients and works over ice or warm from the stove. The four-serving batch option makes it easy to pour several at once, with apple, star anise, and rosemary for garnish.

Fireball Whiskey Cocktail with Cinnamon, Maple and Apple Cider

This Fireball whiskey cocktail with cinnamon, maple and apple cider shakes Fireball with maple syrup and lemon, then tops it with cider over ice. The maple softens the cinnamon heat, and the recipe includes notes for scaling to a six-serving pitcher.

3-Ingredient Apple Cider Sangria

Only dry white wine, fresh cider, and cognac go into this 3-ingredient apple cider sangria. Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc keeps it crisp against the sweet cider, and it can be mixed up to two hours before guests arrive.

Apple Cider Sangria

Made with fruity red wine, diced apples, cider, and Grand Marnier, this apple cider sangria is an easy four-ingredient pitcher drink. It gets better the longer it sits, making an overnight rest ideal for Thanksgiving or a fall camping trip.

Bourbon Apple Cider Punch

This bourbon apple cider punch combines sparkling wine, cider, Vernor’s ginger ale, and bourbon in about a minute. It makes 10 servings, so you can set out the pitcher and stop playing bartender; rum also works in place of bourbon.

Holiday Apple Cider Punch

This holiday apple cider punch mixes cider, ginger beer, fresh citrus juices, and whole spices, with frozen cranberries as ice and garnish. Vodka or light rum is optional, so spiked and alcohol-free versions can sit side by side.

Apple Cider Hot Toddy

This apple cider hot toddy simmers unfiltered cider with honey, lemon juice, and cinnamon before bourbon is stirred in off the heat. Slow-cooker directions scale it to 16 drinks for a crowd of whiskey fans.

Lazy Hot Spiked Apple Cider

This lazy hot spiked apple cider uses gold tequila and triple sec instead of rum or bourbon. The cider simmers with orange, apple, cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, then stays warm in the slow cooker after the alcohol goes in.

Hot Apple Cider Cocktail

Simmered with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and orange zest, this hot apple cider cocktail gets a shot of spiced rum in each mug. It was designed for campfires and camp stoves, but it can also be made ahead and reheated for bonfires or tailgates.