How To Make an Apple Cider Spritz: The Perfect Sweet and Refreshing Fall-Themed Drink

When fall rolls around, sweet and fruity apple cider is the drink that most people can’t get enough of. However, if you’re looking for a new way to sip it this year, it’s worth incorporating it into a spritz. Apple cider spritz puts a fall twist on the beloved fizzy cocktail. All you need is a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to prepare this refreshing drink. From there, it’s ready to enjoy — especially for a cozy night in. Here’s how to make an apple cider spritz, both as a cocktail and a mocktail.

What is an apple cider spritz?

This drink traditionally consists of apple cider, aperol (orange apéritif liqueur), prosecco and ice. The ingredients are stirred together and then served. Additional ingredients like simple syrup are something mixed in for sweet flavor. Also, garnishes like orange or apple slices and fresh herbs are great for making the drink eye-catching.

The secret to an extra fizzy apple cider spritz

If you want to ensure an effervescent apple cider spritz, using cold prosecco is best for keeping your drink chilled and maintaining as many bubbles as possible. This is due to warm temperatures causing the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the drink to evaporate, which could make your spritz flat. Moreover, buying a quality prosecco such as Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG adds crisp and floral flavors to the cocktail that brighten up the cider’s sweet and spiced taste.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider for this spritz?

Yes, it’s an apple cider spritz but, if you don’t have it on hand, apple juice is fine to use too. The difference between apple cider and juice is that cider isn’t usually filtered like the juice is. So, you get a richer and more intense apple flavor with cider. Though, an apple juice that contains 100 percent juice and no added ingredients can offer a pure fruit taste compared to commercial varieties. You can often find pure apple juice in the juice aisle or near the produce section at the grocery store. Or, buy it from your local farmer’s market if they sell them in gallon or half-gallon sizes.

How to make an apple cider spritz

This Apple Cider Spritz recipe comes from the Join Jules YouTube Channel. It comes together in mere minutes and an aperol like Mommenpop Seville Orange infuses the cocktail with a vibrant citrus kick. It’s safe to say spritz is the perfect treat to yourself after a long day of fall activities such as apple picking, carving pumpkins or simply admiring the colorful leaves. (For more ways to use apple cider, try these recipes for Bourbon-Spiced Apple Cider and Apple Cider Donuts.)

Apple Cider Spritz

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. prosecco
• 1½ oz. aperol
• 1 oz. apple cider
• ½ oz. cinnamon-infused simple syrup
• Soda water
• Ice
• Optional garnishes like sliced orange or fresh herbs (rosemary or thyme)

Directions:

• Yield: 1 drink

1. Fill wine glass with ice.
2. Pour prosecco, aperol, apple cider and cinnamon syrup into glass. Top with soda water.
3. Give drink a good stir. Sip and enjoy!

Bonus: Make it an apple cider spritz mocktail

Want a booze-free version of an apple cider spritz? Try this easy recipe from TikTok creator @alessandrabrontsema that’s perfect for a small crowd. Cheers!

Apple Cider Spritz Mocktail

@alessandrabrontsema

The perfect fall mocktail 🍎🍂 you can always swap in some Prosecco instead of the soda water too! 🍾 #applecider #fall #falldrink #applecidermocktail #applecidercocktail #fall #fallparty #falldinner #hosting #dinnerparty #falldrink #drinkrecipe

♬ September – Campsite Dream

Ingredients:

• Apple cider
• Ginger beer
• Soda water
• Garnishes like orange slices, cinnamon sticks and star anise
• Ice

Directions:

• Yield: 3 drinks

1. Place ice into 3 glasses.
2. Fill glasses halfway with apple cider before topped with ginger beer and then soda water.
3. Garnish each glass with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and star anise. Enjoy!