Ginger Beer Mocktail Recipe
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Get ready to get hooked on this ginger beer mocktail all season! With its crisp apple base, warming ginger, and bright citrus, this fall favorite offers the fun, fizz, and flair of a craft cocktail, minus the booze. Make it in 5 minutes and enjoy it on a cozy night in or at a dinner party with friends.
I never not serve mocktails when I’m serving cocktails at a party. They’re just as fun and flavorful as their boozy counterparts, but way more versatile and inclusive. And when fall rolls around, my signature drink for the cozy season is definitely ginger beer mocktail.
With spicy ginger beer as the backbone, fresh citrus to brighten things up, and cozy hints of apple and cinnamon, everyone loves this fall mocktail as much as vodka cranberry cocktail, another crowd favorite. It’s perfect for everything from backyard bonfires and Halloween movie nights to Thanksgiving dinner or when you just want something fun in your cup.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 5 minutes
- Delicious fall flavors: Warm ginger, zesty citrus, and crisp apple come together for the coziest autumn sip.
- Party-perfect: Looks stunning garnished with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.
- Kid- and teen-approved
- Great year-round drink: Cozy enough for fall, but bright and fizzy enough to enjoy year-round.
- Easy to customize: Swap in your favorite juice, add fresh herbs, or top with a splash of sparkling water for endless variations.
How to Make Ginger Beer Mocktail
This refreshing ginger beer mocktail comes together in just 5 minutes. Simply make the base, pour over ice, add the ginger beer, and serve with your preferred garnishes. No bar tools needed! If you don’t have a shaker, make it in a small pitcher!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Apple cider: Use fresh-pressed apple cider if possible. It adds depth and a natural sweetness that store-bought versions often lack.
- Orange and lime juice: Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled works in a pinch.
- Honey: Use maple syrup if that’s what you have.
- Cinnamon sticks: Optional, but toast the cinnamon sticks briefly in a dry pan to boost their flavor before adding.
- Ginger beer: Brings the signature spice, fizziness, and zingy warmth that makes the drink pop.
- Ice cubes
- Apple: Honeycrisp or Fuji are perfect. They’re crisp, sweet, and don’t brown too quickly when sliced. I like cutting the apple into thin rounds or fan slices for a pretty garnish that floats.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This recipe is basically stir, pour, and sip. Follow the easy steps below to start enjoying this refreshing apple cider mocktail!
Step 1: Prep
Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes.
Step 2: Mix the base
Mix the base in a shaker or small pitcher by stirring together the apple cider, orange juice, lime juice, sweetener, and 2 cinnamon sticks.
Step 3: Add ginger beer
Divide into the prepared glasses and top with ginger beer.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Serve immediately with apple and lime slices and a cinnamon stick as garnish.
Substitutions
A single trip to the store and you’ll have everything you need to make ginger beer mocktail. If you’re missing one or prefer to use an alternative, here are some ideal substitutions:
- Apple cider: Use pear juice or unfiltered apple juice instead.
- Orange juice: Swap with blood orange juice for a deeper color and bolder flavor, or pineapple juice for a tropical twist.
- Lime juice: Use lemon juice in a pinch.
- Honey: Use agave or simple syrup if you don’t have honey or maple syrup.
- Cinnamon sticks: Try star anise or whole cloves for a more complex spice profile.
- Ginger beer: Substitute with ginger ale, star anise, or whole cloves for a more complex spice profile.
Expert Tips
- Use high-quality ginger beer: Choose a ginger beer with bold spice and minimal added sugar. Brands like Fever-Tree or Bundaberg bring strong ginger flavor without overpowering sweetness.
- Warm the honey: If your honey is too thick or crystalized, microwave it for a few seconds before mixing so it’ll blend seamlessly, especially into cold liquids.
- Keep it cold: Serve mocktails in a chilled glass to make the ice last longer. You can also try flavored ice cubes (frozen apple cider or orange juice) to avoid watering it down.
- Upgrade your garnishes: Hosting a gathering? Thin apple slices, orange twists, or sugared cranberries on a cocktail skewer make this mocktail feel party-perfect.
- Customize for the season: Add fresh rosemary or a few cranberries for a festive winter twist, or muddled mint and cucumber in spring for a cooling, spa-like version.
- Batch ahead: Mix everything except the ginger beer ahead of time and refrigerate. When it’s time to serve, just top with ginger beer and ice for effortless entertaining.
How to Store This Recipe
Transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Just remove the cinnamon stick after the first day to prevent it from overpowering the flavor.
Freezing is not recommended due to the carbonation in ginger beer and the texture change in juices, but you can freeze the juice base in ice cube trays for quick single-serve mocktails later on.
What to Serve with Ginger Beer Mocktail
This cozy ginger beer mocktail pairs beautifully with a variety of fall-inspired bites and comforting meals. Serve it alongside a charcuterie board filled with sharp cheeses, dried fruits, and spiced nuts for a laid-back gathering.
Enjoy it with roasted turkey, baked ham, or a seasonal salad to complement its warm, spiced notes. It also makes a refreshing, non-alcoholic companion to hearty fall desserts like apple pie, pumpkin dump cake, or cinnamon rolls.
More Easy Party Drinks To Try
5-Minute Ginger Beer Mocktail Perfect For Fall
Ingredients
- 8 ounces apple cider
- 4 ounces orange juice
- 1 ounces lime juice
- 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
- 4 cinnamon sticks divided
- 1 cup ginger beer
- 2 portions ice cube
- 1 small apple sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes.
- Mix the base in a shaker or small pitcher by stirring together the apple cider, orange juice, lime juice, sweetener, and 2 cinnamon sticks.
- Divide into the prepared glasses and top with ginger beer.
- Serve immediately with apple and lime slices and a cinnamon stick as garnish.
Notes
- Use high-quality ginger beer, one with bold spice and minimal added sugar for the best results.
- If your honey is too thick or crystalized, warm it before mixing so it’ll blend seamlessly into the mix.
- Serve mocktails in a chilled glass to make the ice last longer. You can also try flavored ice cubes (frozen apple cider or orange juice) to avoid watering it down.
- Hosting a gathering? Thin apple slices, orange twists, or sugared cranberries on a cocktail skewer make this mocktail feel party-perfect.
- Add fresh rosemary or a few cranberries for a festive winter twist, or muddled mint and cucumber in spring for a cooling, spa-like version.
- Mix everything except the ginger beer ahead of time and refrigerate. Top with ginger beer and ice before serving.
