Best Spiced Apple Cider Mocktail with Chai
Temperatures may be cooling, but your mocktail game is warming up with my Spiced Apple Cider Mocktail! Made with apple cider, chai tea, brown sugar, lemon and cinnamon, this apple cider mocktail has just the right amount of spice!
If you love apple cider mocktails and cocktails, you’ll also want to try my Apple Cider Slushy Mocktail, Harvest Apple Cider Whiskey, or my Apple Cider Hot Toddy.
I was inspired to create this Spiced Apple Cider Mocktail because nothing says cozy fall vibes quite like a glass of spiced apple cider. In this recipe, the apple cider is mixed with brown sugar and chai tea with a pop of bright citrus from the lemon juice. The sparkling water (a staple in a great mocktail) adds a bit of bubbly and the cinnamon rim adds an extra layer of dimension to each sip. Top it off with some apple slices and star anise for the perfect fall mocktail.
A crowd-pleaser, this mocktail is versatile, great for family functions that everyone can enjoy, easily converted to a cocktail and easily batched. Whether you’re raking endless piles of leaves, pumpkin carving with the family, or hosting a festive fall gathering this Spiced Apple Cider Mocktail has got you covered.
Recipe Ingredients
See the recipe card for quantities.
- Hot chai tea: Brew your favorite chai tea for this recipe. There are both caffeinated and decaf options.
- Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar complements this mocktail.
- Apple cider: Pick up some local apple cider if possible. If that’s not feasible, you can find apple cider at your local grocer. I prefer unsweetened cider.
- Lemon juice: Always use fresh-squeezed lemon juice.
- Sparkling water: Any sparkling water or club soda will work just fine for this recipe.
- Apple slices and star anise: For garnish.
Tools & Equipment List
‼️I’m a Caraway Ambassador and used their Complete Bar Set (gifted) which is high quality, non-toxic and SO cute. Use my code CAROLYN for 10% off your purchase!
How to Make This Recipe
Step 1: Brew your chai tea.
Step 2: Prepare the glass – combine brown sugar and cinnamon on a shallow dish. Run a lemon around the rim of a cocktail glass, then dip in cinnamon sugar mixture until the rim is coated.
Step 3: To a cocktail shaker, add hot chai tea and brown sugar. Stir until brown sugar dissolves. Add apple cider, lemon and ice. Shake until well chilled.
Step 4: Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice. Top with a splash of sparkling water. If desired, garnish with apple and star anise.
Watch How to Make This Recipe
Tips for Making the Spiced Apple Mocktail
- As a shortcut, this recipe makes your chai tea syrup right in the cocktail shaker using freshly brewed tea. This helps alleviate mess and extra dishes.
- Batch Version: Make a batch of the chai tea sugar syrup ahead of time and add when you are ready to serve. The same goes for the sparkling water, don’t add until you are ready to serve.
- Cocktail version: Spike with your liquor of choice. Whisky and vodka would be great in this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can add your favorite whiskey, vodka or gin to turn this drink into a cocktail.
Yes. You can make the chai tea sugar syrup ahead of time. Be sure to use very hot tea or make it on the stovetop so the sugar fully dissolves. You can store it in the refrigerator for a few weeks in an airtight container or freeze it for a few months.
Yes! You can make this mocktail hot for those chilly days/nights. You would need to leave out the sparkling water as it does not heat well. Combine all other ingredients on a stovetop and heat until the brown sugar is dissolved and pour into your favorite mug.
More Fall Mocktails to Try!
- Non-Alcoholic Fall Hugo Spritz
- Creamy Pomegranate Mocktail
- Cranberry Spritz Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic Aperol Spritz)
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Spiced Apple Cider Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz hot chai tea
- 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 oz apple cider
- 1/4-1/2 oz lemon juice
- Sparkling water
- Cinnamon, for rim
- Optional garnishes: apple slices, star anise
Instructions
- Brew chai tea.
- Prepare glass – combine brown sugar and cinnamon on a shallow dish. Run a lemon around the rim of a cocktail glass. Dip in cinnamon sugar mixture until rim is coated.
- To a cocktail shaker – add chai tea and brown sugar. Stir until brown sugar dissolves. Add apple cider, lemon and ice. Shake until well chilled.
- Strain into prepared glass over fresh ice. Top with a splash of sparkling water. If desired, garnish with apple and star anise.
Notes
- As a shortcut, this recipe makes your chai tea syrup right in the cocktail shaker using freshly brewed tea. This helps alleviate mess and extra dishes.
- Batch Version: Make a batch of the chai tea sugar syrup ahead of time and add when you are ready to serve. The same goes for the sparkling water, don’t add until you are ready to serve.
- Cocktail version: Spike with your liquor of choice. Whisky and vodka would be great in this recipe.
