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Easy Kid-Friendly Spiced Apple Cider Fall Mocktail

easy kid-friendly spiced apple cider fall mocktail - featured image
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A quick and easy fall mocktail made with apple cider, warm spices, and ginger ale that kids and adults alike will love. Perfect for Halloween parties, cozy movie nights, or any autumn gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups apple cider (unfiltered preferred)
  • 2 cups ginger ale (e.g., Canada Dry)
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (plus extra for garnish)
  • 4 whole cloves
  • 1 star anise (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
  • 1 orange (sliced into thin rounds)
  • 1 apple (thinly sliced; Honeycrisp or Fuji recommended)
  • Ice cubes (enough to fill glasses; large cubes preferred)

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of the apple cider with the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and star anise (if using). Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Do not let it boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep for another 5 minutes.
  2. Pour the infused cider through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher. Discard the whole spices (or save cinnamon sticks for garnish).
  3. Add the remaining 3 cups of apple cider to the pitcher. Stir gently with a wooden spoon. Taste and add honey if desired, stirring until dissolved.
  4. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill. (Alternatively, add a handful of ice cubes directly to the pitcher for quicker chilling, though this will dilute the flavor slightly.)
  5. While the cider chills, slice the orange into thin rounds and the apple into thin half-moons (about 1/4 inch thick). If prepping ahead, toss apple slices in a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
  6. When ready to serve, fill each glass about halfway with ice cubes. Pour the chilled spiced apple cider base until the glass is about two-thirds full. Top off with ginger ale (about a 3:1 ratio of cider to ginger ale). Stir gently.
  7. Garnish each glass with a slice of orange, a couple of apple slices, and a cinnamon stick if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, do not oversimmer the spices—5 minutes simmering plus 5 minutes steeping is ideal. Add ginger ale just before serving to keep the fizz. Use large ice cubes to slow dilution. The spiced cider base (without ginger ale) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; flavors deepen over time. For a warm version, skip the chilling and ginger ale, and simmer all 4 cups of cider with spices for 10 minutes, then serve warm.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider mocktail, kid-friendly mocktail, fall mocktail, spiced apple cider, non-alcoholic drink, Halloween drink, Thanksgiving drink

Find it online: https://dinadinnertable.com/easy-kid-friendly-spiced-apple-cider-fall-mocktail/