Candy Apple Mocktail Recipe
This candy apple mocktail tastes like the caramel coating on a fair apple, without the sticky fingers. Spiced apple cider, caramel syrup and a splash of ginger beer go into a caramel-rimmed glass, and you have a fall drink in about five minutes with zero alcohol.
It works for a Halloween party, a fall festival table or a regular weeknight that could use a little fun. Kids can drink it and adults like it just as much. If you need a few more drinks for spooky season, my list of Halloween mocktails for kids and adults has plenty.
Below you’ll find what each ingredient does (and what to swap), how to get a caramel rim that stays put, how to keep the drink fizzy, and how to turn one glass into a party pitcher. The recipe card with exact amounts is at the bottom of the post.
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Ingredients for a Candy Apple Mocktail
Five ingredients plus ice, and you can find all of them at a regular grocery store.
- Spiced apple cider. This is the base and most of the apple flavor. Bottled spiced cider is easiest. Plain apple cider with a pinch of cinnamon works too. Apple juice works in a pinch, but the drink will taste thinner and sweeter.
- Caramel syrup. Use the thin, pourable syrup sold for coffee, because it mixes into a cold drink. Butterscotch syrup is a good swap.
- Ginger beer. It brings the fizz and a little bite that keeps the drink from tasting like straight sugar. Ginger ale is milder, and sparkling apple cider keeps it all apple.
- Caramel sauce. This is the thick ice cream topping, and it is only for the rim. Thick sauce clings to the glass where syrup would slide right off.
- Apple slices. Red apples look the part, and Granny Smith adds a tart bite next to all that caramel. A quick toss in lemon juice keeps the slices from browning. Have extra apples? Use them up with these easy recipes with apples.
How to Make a Candy Apple Mocktail
- Rim the glass with caramel sauce.
- Fill it with ice, pour in the caramel syrup and spiced cider, and stir.
- Top with ginger beer, give it one gentle stir and add apple slices.
That’s the whole thing. Exact amounts and full steps are in the recipe card below.
Handy for Mocktail Night
Tips for the Best Candy Apple Mocktail
- Warm the caramel for an easy rim. If your caramel sauce is cold and stiff, microwave it for about 10 seconds so it spreads into a thin, even layer on the plate.
- Chill everything first. Cold cider and cold ginger beer hold their bubbles longer and melt less ice.
- Add the ginger beer last and don’t shake it. Shaking a carbonated drink knocks out the fizz. Stir once, gently, after the ginger beer goes in.
- Go small for little kids. A half batch in a small cup is plenty of sugar for a small person.
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Candy Apple Mocktail Variations
- Party pitcher or punch bowl. Mix the cider and caramel syrup in a pitcher ahead of time (the recipe card notes have amounts for 8 drinks). Add ice and ginger beer when guests arrive, and set out a plate of caramel sauce so everyone can rim their own cup.
- Salted caramel apple. Sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on the caramel rim and stir with a cinnamon stick.
- Candy apple red. Add a small splash of grenadine for color and roll the caramel rim in red sanding sugar.
- Lower sugar. Use sugar-free caramel syrup and diet ginger beer, and keep the caramel rim thin or skip it. The cider still has natural sugar.
- Valentine version. Press red and pink heart sprinkles into the caramel rim, and it fits a Valentine’s Day party too.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Mix the base up to 2 days ahead. Stir the cider and caramel syrup together, cover and refrigerate. Stir again before pouring, since the syrup settles.
- Rim the glasses a few hours ahead. Keep them in the fridge or freezer until it’s time to serve.
- Add ginger beer and ice at serving time. Once the ginger beer is in, the drink goes flat within an hour or so, so mix only what you’ll drink.
- Leftovers. Leftover base without ginger beer keeps for 2 days in the fridge. Mixed drinks don’t keep well.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
A few quick answers for anyone making this caramel apple drink for kids or a crowd.
More Halloween and Fall Mocktails
Candy Apple Mocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Wooden stir stick or a long spoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon caramel sauce for the rim
- 1 Ounce(s) caramel syrup the thin coffee syrup kind
- 3 Ounce(s) spiced apple cider chilled
- 1.5 Ounce(s) ginger beer non-alcoholic, chilled
- ice
- 2 to 3 sliced apples for garnish
Instructions
- Spread the caramel sauce on a small plate. Turn the glass upside down and press the rim into the caramel, giving it a little twist so it coats evenly.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour in the caramel syrup and spiced apple cider and stir for a few seconds to mix.
- Top with the ginger beer and give it one gentle stir so you keep the fizz.
- Garnish with apple slices and serve right away.
Notes
Nutrition
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I love the name of this mocktail. It’s awesome, too, that it’s family friendly. Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.
What a great Mocktail! Happy Valentine Day and thanks so much for sharing your awesome talent with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Looks so good I want one for myself. Thanks for sharing at the Monday Funday Party. – Emily
I would be very happy if I got one of these! They sound very fresh and of course apple makes pretty much any drink better. Thank you for bringing these to Fiesta Friday! 🙂
This looks delicious! I love that it is family-friendly so everyone can enjoy a treat on Valentine’s Day! Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday this week!
How sweet is this recipe for kids. I have to try this for my girl. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party. It’s lovely having you.