Thanksgiving Mocktails
Festive non-alcoholic mocktails made with apple cider, spices, and citrus, perfect for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Ingredients
For the Mocktails
- 3 cups fresh apple cider unsweetened if possible
- ½ cup orange juice fresh or cold-pressed
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey optional
- 1 cup sparkling water or club soda
- Apple slices, orange slices, or cinnamon sticks for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
Preparation
- Pour apple cider, orange juice, and lemon juice into a saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat for about 3 to 4 minutes until warm but not boiling.
- Stir in cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Whisk until combined and aromatic.
- Add maple syrup or honey for extra richness and to balance the tartness of the citrus.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for a few minutes. Add sparkling water or club soda to create a refreshing, fizzy texture.
- Pour over ice into glasses. Garnish with apple slices, orange wedges, or cinnamon sticks for a festive finishing touch.
Notes
You can double the recipe and prepare the spiced cider base a day in advance. Just add sparkling water right before serving to keep the fizz fresh. Add a few cranberries or a splash of pomegranate juice for color and a tart contrast. Let kids decorate their drinks with fruit skewers or cinnamon stick stirrers. Rim glasses with maple syrup and cinnamon sugar for a cozy, dessert-like finish.