Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail

Want a fun beverage recipe to make tonight?  Try this sparkling apple cider mocktail. 

It's full of sparkles, it's red, it's pretty--it will get the attention of all the ladies in the room!  As an added bonus, the rim of the glass is dipped in homemade butterscotch sauce, then lightly pressed into margarita salt to give you the sweet/salty combo.  Tempted?

Questions

Is sparkling cider the same as apple cider?

Not really, but they have some similarities.

• The first one is carbonated, so its bubbly.  The second one has no fizz.
• The first choice is pasteurized, but the second one isn't.
• The first choice is filtered, the other one isn't.
• The first choice has no alcohol, just like apple.

Is sparkling cider bad for you?

It depends.  If you're on a diet, or need to watch your sugar intake, you might want a smaller glass as it is high in calories and sugar.  The good news is it's free of sodium, cholesterol and fat.  It is also high in vitamin C.  It's carbonated so it's full of sparkles and fizz, which makes it fun to drink.

How many calories are in one serving?

A one 12 fl. oz. drink, will have 213 calories and 51.5g carbs.  This drink is also high in vitamin C with 164% of your daily value.  For more nutritional information, scroll past the recipe card.

How to Make

Twirl the rim of the glass in butterscotch.  Lightly press it into the salt.

Gather the ingredients for the drink:  juice, sparkling apple cider, grenadine, and Angostura bitters.

To build the drink in the glass, pour in 6 ounces of juice.

Pour in 6 ounces of sparkling apple cider.

Add the grenadine and the Angostura bitters.

Carefully stir with a long handled spoon.

Enjoy this cold beverage with a group of friends or with your family at a holiday meal.  It's a showstopper, plus it's quick to make, which makes this drink recipe a real winner in my books.

Variations

• Want a garnish?  Float a thin slice of apple on top.
• Can't find store-bought grenadine, or need to substitute?  Learn how to make your own grenadine syrup here.

Pro Tips

• No ice?  Use cold ingredients, and you can skip the ice.
• Plain sparkling cider is best for this recipe.
• Need to make it ahead?  Prep the rim of the glasses.  Mix up everything, except the sparkling cider, refrigerate, then add it just before serving.
• Want to use butterscotch for the rim?  Make sure it's plain and not smoked butterscotch.

Treat yourself to one of these amazing mocktails.

• Caramel Apple Mocktail
• Sparkling Cranberry Mocktail

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail

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5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 6 minutes
• Total Time: 6 minutes
• Yield: 12 fl oz 1x

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Description

Sparkling apple cider mocktail is a healthy, nonalcoholic festive drink you can mix up in minutes.  This easy recipe is perfect for kids or for a crowd.  The whole family will enjoy drinking this fun cold beverage at brunch, Thanksgiving, or at your next Christmas party.  Bring some holiday cheer to your loved ones this year and serve this simple drink to them.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ¼ cup homemade butterscotch sauce
• ¼ cup margarita salt
• ½ glass apple juice (approximately 6 fl oz)
• ½ glass sparkling cider (approximately 6 fl oz)
• 1 teaspoon grenadine
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters

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Instructions

Decorating the Glass

1. Put the butterscotch sauce and margarita salt in two separate bowls.  Twirl the rim of the glass in the butterscotch, then lightly press it in the margarita salt.

Making the Beverage

1. To build the drink in the glass, fill it halfway with juice (approximately 6 fl oz).  Next, carefully fill the rest of the glass with sparkling cider (approximately 6 fl oz).  Add the grenadine and the Angostura bitters, gently stir, and serve immediately.
2. To make a small pitcher, quadruple the ingredients.  Stir together the juice, grenadine, and Angostura bitters and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Just before serving, gently stir in the sparkling cider.

Notes

• Make it ahead tips: prep the rim of all the glasses.  Add the sparkling water just before serving.
• Use cold ingredients, and the ice can be left out.
• The best kind of cider is plain.
• Make sure the rim is dipped into plain and not smoked butterscotch.

• Category: Beverages
• Method: Chilled
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: non alcoholic, easy mocktails recipes