Best Sparkling Apple Cider Margarita Mocktail Recipe
A refreshing and balanced fall mocktail made with fresh apple cider, lime juice, and sparkling water, finished with a cinnamon sugar rim. Ready in under 5 minutes, it’s perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 ounces (¾ cup) fresh apple cider
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) sparkling water
- ½ to 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- Ice cubes
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rim)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for rim)
- Lime wedge (for rim)
- Thin apple slices (optional garnish)
- Cinnamon stick (optional garnish)
- Fresh rosemary sprig (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the cinnamon sugar rim: On a small plate, mix 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a glass, then dip the rim into the mixture to coat evenly. Tap off excess.
- Juice the lime: Roll one medium lime on the counter for 10 seconds, cut in half, and juice to get 1 ounce (2 tablespoons). Strain out seeds.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 6 ounces apple cider and 1 ounce lime juice over the ice. Stir gently. Taste and add ½ to 1 teaspoon maple syrup if needed.
- Slowly pour 2 ounces sparkling water down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation. Stir once gently.
- Garnish with apple slices, cinnamon stick, and/or rosemary sprig. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use fresh unfiltered apple cider and fresh lime juice. Chill all ingredients beforehand. Add sparkling water just before serving to keep bubbles. The cinnamon sugar rim is essential for flavor. For a low-sugar version, use sugar-free sparkling water and skip the maple syrup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mocktail
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 24
Keywords: apple cider margarita mocktail, non-alcoholic fall drink, sparkling apple cider mocktail, cinnamon sugar rim mocktail, easy mocktail recipe