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A twist on the classic brunch cocktail this apple cider mimosa is the perfect fall and winter cocktail. This refreshing blend of bubbly champagne and sweet apple cider is the perfect holiday inspired cocktail for festive brunches or gatherings. For an extra layer of warmth and spice, make sure to rim your mimosas with cinnamon sugar..
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Apple cider mimosas are simple yet elegant and are perfect for fall gatherings.
In the printable recipe below, you can find a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Apple Cider: The star of the show, apple cider provides a delightfully sweet and tart flavor that is reminiscent of autumn. Use freshly pressed apple cider for the best flavor, or opt for a high-quality store-bought variety. You can use apple juice but it will have less flavor due to the way it is processed. If you substituting juice for cider choose one that is not-from concentrate to get the best flavor and no added sweeteners.
- Sparkling Wine: Traditionally, champagne is used in mimosas, but you can also substitute Prosecco or Cava. It is really a personal preference. We do recommend using a dry sparkling wine since the apple cider is already sweet.
- Bourbon: We add a bit of bourbon whiskey which has a sweet and smokey flavor but you can user your favorite brand of whiskey or leave it out all together. Normally, the better the whiskey, the better the cocktail – in this case you can get away with a value brand.
How to Make a Apple Cider Mimosa
Here are the quick step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions with the exact ingredients in the recipe card below.
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Pro-tip: Chill your glasses in advance. This will help to keep your cocktail cold and refreshing. You can chill your glasses by placing them in the freezer for 15-30 minutes before serving.
Apple Cider Mimosa: On a small plate combine cinnamon and sugar. Wet the rims of two champagne glasses with lemon juice or water and dip the rims into cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly. In a small pitcher, combine the apple cider and bourbon then pour half of the juice mixture into each prepared glass so that it is about one-third to one-half full depending on your ratio preference of juice to champagne. Pouring slowly to preserve the fizz, top each glass with chilled sparkling wine or champagne. Garnish the cocktails with apple slices on the rim or floating in the drink.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- You can adjust the apple cider to your taste. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add more apple cider.
- For a more festive presentation, you can rim the glass with cinnamon sugar before adding the sparkling wine.
- Add a splash of brown sugar cinnamon simple syrup for a sweeter, fall flavor.
- To help keep your cocktail cold and prevent your hands from warming up the glass use a wine glass with a stem
- If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, you can substitute sparkling apple cider or sparkling grape juice for the sparkling wine.
More Holiday Cocktails to Try
Looking for more holiday inspired cocktail recipes? Try these other favorites:
- Cranberry Aperol Spritz – a seasonal spin on the classic Italian cocktail. Combining Aperol, cranberry juice, and fresh orange juice with effervescent prosecco, it is a refreshing drink perfect for holiday celebrations.
- Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour – combines tangy cranberries, fresh squeezed orange juice, and the warmth of whiskey. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist, or a casual cocktail enthusiast, this cocktail is sure to become a favorite on your holiday hit list.
- Christmas Holiday Margarita – is the perfect holiday cocktail. It is sweet, tangy, and tart and combines tequila, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, and bitters for a festive drink.
- White Christmas Margarita – the perfect festive drink, with its creamy coconut flavor, refreshing lime tartness, and subtle warmth from tequila. It’s also easy to make, so you can whip up a batch for your next holiday party.
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Apple Cider Mimosa
This recipe may contain paid affiliate sales links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclaimer policy for details.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider
- 1 ounce bourbon
- 6 ounces champagne, or other sparkling wine
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- apple slices for garnish
Instructions
- On a small plate combine cinnamon and sugar.
- Wet the rims of two champagne glasses with lemon juice or water. Dip the rims into cinnamon sugar to coat evenly.
- In a small pitcher, combine apple cider and bourbon. Pour half of the juice mixture into each prepared glass.
- Top each glass with chilled sparkling wine or champagne. Pour slowly to preserve the fizz.
- Garnish with apple slices on the rim or floating in the drink.