This festive Apple Cider Mimosa combines sweet, tart, and bubbly notes in a simple, elegant cocktail. Made with just two primary ingredients—apple cider and sparkling wine—this mimosa is a seasonal favorite that’s quick to assemble and looks beautiful on any holiday table. Cheers!
The Best Apple Cider Cocktail
If you enjoy serving festive drinks for gatherings, this apple cider mimosa is an excellent seasonal twist on the classic mimosa. It balances crisp apple flavor with the effervescence of sparkling wine. The result is light, refreshing, and perfect for brunches, holiday parties, or anytime you want a celebratory sip.
This mimosa is typically made one part chilled apple cider to one part chilled sparkling wine. The combination is naturally festive and easy to scale whether you’re mixing a single glass or serving a crowd.
Reasons to Love This Mimosa
Perfect for brunch: Served the same way as a classic mimosa, it’s an ideal brunch cocktail that elevates any morning or midday gathering.
Balanced flavor: This drink offers both sweetness from the apple cider and a pleasant tart edge, while the bubbles bring a crisp, lively finish—never overly sweet.
Great for holidays: Simple, elegant, and quick to make, this mimosa is well suited for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, or other seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients You Need
This recipe is delightfully simple—only two main ingredients are required. Use quality components and chilled liquids for the best result.
- Apple cider: Choose a spiced or fresh apple cider rather than plain apple juice for a more authentic cider flavor. Fresh-pressed cider elevates the drink if you have access to it.
- Sparkling wine: Champagne, cava, brut, or prosecco will all work. A drier sparkling wine will keep the drink crisp, while a slightly sweeter prosecco yields a fruitier finish.
Garnish Ingredients
- Cinnamon: Adds warmth and visual contrast to a sugared rim or a cinnamon stick garnish.
- Turbinado sugar: Coarse turbinado sugar makes an attractive, lightly sweet rim for the glass.
- Fresh rosemary: A small sprig adds an aromatic, festive accent; other fresh herbs or citrus slices also work nicely.
How to Make This Apple Cider Mimosa
- Prepare the rim: Mix turbinado sugar with a pinch of ground cinnamon on a small plate. Moisten the rim of the champagne flute with water or a tiny orange wedge and dip into the sugar to coat.
- Add the cider: Pour chilled apple cider into the glass, filling roughly half the flute or to your preferred cider-to-sparkling ratio.
- Top with sparkling wine: Slowly top the cider with chilled sparkling wine until the glass is nearly full. Pour gently to preserve the bubbles.
- Garnish and serve: Finish with a sprig of fresh rosemary, a thin apple slice, or a cinnamon stick for a seasonal touch.
Does Brut or Prosecco Work?
Yes—champagne, cava, brut, or prosecco all work for this cocktail. Prosecco tends to be slightly sweeter, while brut is drier. Choose based on whether you prefer a drier or fruitier finish. A dry white sparkling wine can also be a good substitute; avoid overly sweet sparkling wines if you want balance.
Making a Large Batch
If you’re serving a crowd, keep apple cider and sparkling wine separate until serving so the bubbly stays fizzy. Offer a pitcher of cider and a chilled bottle of sparkling wine on ice, and instruct guests to pour equal parts into their glasses. This keeps the presentation neat and preserves effervescence.
Substitutions & Variations
Want to tweak the recipe? Here are simple swaps that keep the festive spirit:
Sparkling options
Substitute prosecco, cava, or a dry sparkling wine. For a nonalcoholic version, use sparkling water, soda water, or a flavored seltzer to keep the fizz.
Apple cider alternatives
Store-bought spiced cider is fine if homemade isn’t available. If you don’t have cider at all, orange juice will turn this back into a classic mimosa.
Garnishes and rim ideas
Use cinnamon sugar, chai spice, or plain turbinado on the rim. Garnish with apple slices, citrus, cinnamon sticks, star anise, or fresh herbs for visual and aromatic appeal.
Apple Cider Mimosa Recipe
This simple recipe makes one serving. Multiply as needed for larger groups.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz chilled apple cider
- 4 oz chilled sparkling wine (champagne, prosecco, or cava)
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (for rim)
- Rosemary sprig and apple slice for garnish
Instructions
- Place the turbinado sugar on a small plate. Optionally mix with a pinch of cinnamon.
- Wet the rim of a champagne flute and dip it into the sugar to coat.
- Pour the chilled apple cider into the flute, then top slowly with chilled sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig and an apple slice. Serve immediately.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 137 kcal | Carbohydrates: 23 g | Protein: 0 g | Fat: 4 g | Sugar: 15 g
More Cocktail Ideas
Try other seasonal cocktails like a festive cranberry mojito, blood orange cocktail, rosemary vodka collins, blackberry moscow mule, or a spiked dairy-free hot cocoa for more holiday entertaining options.