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, rim your mimosas with cinnamon sugar.

apple cider mimosa in champagne flutes with apple garnish and a cinnamon sugared rim.

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If you love seasonal cocktails that bring warmth and festive flavors to your holiday parties and get-togethers, you’ll want to try my cranberry mimosa for a tart twist or my apple cider whiskey sour for something with a bit more kick. The apple cider white wine sangria is another crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for entertaining.

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 delivers a delightfully sweet-and-tart flavor 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 because of how it is processed. If you are 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, smoky flavor, but you can use your favorite brand or leave it out altogether. Usually, the better the whiskey, the better the cocktail, but in this case, you can get away with a value brand.

How to Make an Apple Cider Mimosa

Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.

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, then dip them into the 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, leaving each about one-third to one-half full, depending on your preferred ratio 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.

sparkling wine being poured into a champagne flute with apple cider.

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 that you can whip up a batch for your next holiday party.

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