8 Easy Apple Cider Cocktails for Fall

Sharing is caring!

There’s something about the first bottle of apple cider showing up at the market that makes it officially feel like fall.

And while a warm mug of cider is always delicious, apple cider is also one of my favorite ingredients for making easy fall cocktails.

It pairs beautifully with everything from bourbon and tequila to vodka, wine, Champagne and Prosecco, which means there are so many different ways to turn it into a seasonal drink.

Whether you’re planning a fall dinner, hosting friends for football, putting together a Halloween party or looking for the perfect Thanksgiving cocktail, these apple cider cocktails give you plenty of options.

You’ll find everything from a spicy apple cider margarita and big-batch sangria to sparkling cocktails, an apple cider martini and a cozy bourbon drink.

Grab a bottle of fresh cider and let’s make a cocktail!

Spicy Apple Cider Margarita

If you like your margaritas with a little heat, this Spicy Apple Cider Margarita is such a fun way to transition your favorite summer cocktail into fall.

Apple cider and fresh lime give the drink that perfect balance of sweet and tart, while tequila keeps it firmly in margarita territory. A jalapeño and lime simple syrup adds just enough spice to make this one a little more interesting than your typical fall cocktail.

It’s a great choice for an early fall get-together, Taco Tuesday or even a Halloween party.

Apple Cider Sangria

Need an easy apple cider cocktail for a crowd? Make the sangria.

This Apple Cider Sangria combines chilled Pinot Grigio with apple cider and peach brandy, then loads the pitcher with fresh apples, citrus and cranberries.

The best part is that you can prepare most of it ahead of time and let all those flavors mingle in the refrigerator before your guests arrive.

Add the seltzer when you’re ready to serve and you have a beautiful big-batch fall cocktail that works especially well for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, football parties and fall entertaining.

Halloween Apple Cider Aperol Spritz

The classic Aperol Spritz gets a fun fall makeover with this Apple Cider Aperol Spritz.

Aperol, Prosecco and seltzer keep the cocktail light and bubbly while a splash of apple cider gives it just enough seasonal flavor.

For Halloween, the apple ghost garnish makes this one especially cute. The bright orange color of the Aperol already fits right into a Halloween drink menu, so you get a festive cocktail without needing a bunch of complicated ingredients.

You can always skip the ghost garnish and serve it throughout the fall season too.

Fall Apple Cider Sparkler

If you’re looking for something bubbly for a fall celebration, this Apple Cider Sparkler is an easy one to add to your list.

Apple cider and brandy are topped with Champagne for a cocktail that feels a little fancy without being difficult to make.

The sugared rim and apple slice make the presentation especially pretty, so this would be perfect for a fall brunch, girls’ night, Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving dinner.

If you’re serving a crowd, you can prepare the brandy and cider mixture ahead of time and add the Champagne to each glass just before serving so you don’t lose those bubbles.

Bourbon Apple Cider Cocktail

Bourbon and apple cider are one of those combinations that just belong together once the weather gets cooler.

The Bourbon Apple Barrel combines bourbon and apple cider with walnut bitters and a touch of fresh lemon.

Then comes my favorite part—the garnish.

A smoky cinnamon stick and star anise add even more warm fall flavor and make the finished cocktail look impressive without requiring a complicated recipe.

This is the drink I’d choose for a chilly fall evening, a bonfire or one of those nights when you just want to sit outside in a sweater and enjoy the season.

Apple Cider Martini

If martinis are more your style, you definitely don’t have to give them up when fall arrives.

This Apple Cider Martini combines vodka, apple cider, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice and just a little maple syrup.

You get the crisp flavor of apple cider along with citrus and a touch of maple without turning the drink into something overly heavy.

Finish it with a cinnamon-sugar rim and fresh apple garnish and you have a beautiful fall martini that would be perfect for dinner parties, Thanksgiving or a cozy night at home.

Day of the Dead Margarita

This Day of the Dead Margarita is another delicious way to pair tequila and apple cider.

Silver tequila and Cointreau are mixed with apple cider, fresh lime juice and maple syrup for a margarita that still tastes bright and refreshing while bringing in those cozy autumn flavors.

The garnishes make this cocktail especially beautiful. Pomegranate seeds, a cinnamon-sugared apple slice and marigold flowers give it a colorful presentation inspired by Día de los Muertos.

Serve it for a Day of the Dead gathering or whenever you want a festive tequila cocktail with a seasonal twist.

Spiked Apple Cider

Sometimes the simplest fall cocktails are the ones you end up making over and over.

This Spiked Apple Cider is made with vodka, Sour Apple Schnapps, fresh apple cider and lemon juice.

The Sour Apple Schnapps boosts the apple flavor while the fresh lemon keeps the cocktail from becoming too sweet.

And don’t skip the rim! Demerara sugar mixed with pumpkin pie spice gives every sip that cozy fall flavor.

It’s easy enough to make for one but festive enough to serve at a fall party, football get-together or Thanksgiving.

What Alcohol Goes Best With Apple Cider?

One of the best things about apple cider is how many different spirits pair well with it.

Bourbon gives apple cider a warmer, richer flavor that’s perfect for cool evenings, while vodka lets the apple flavor stay front and center.

Tequila is surprisingly delicious with cider, especially when you add fresh lime to balance the sweetness.

For lighter cocktails, try combining apple cider with Prosecco, Champagne or white wine. Brandy also pairs especially well with apples and works beautifully in both sparkling cocktails and sangria.

There really isn’t one right choice—it just depends on whether you want your cocktail refreshing, sparkling, spicy or cozy.

Tips for Serving Apple Cider Cocktails

Use fresh apple cider when you can find it. The fresh cider available at farmers markets, orchards and grocery stores during fall usually has much more apple flavor than apple juice.

Fresh apple slices are one of the easiest garnishes, but cinnamon sticks, star anise, citrus slices, cranberries and cinnamon-sugar rims can make even a simple cocktail feel special.

For parties, choose at least one drink you can prepare ahead of time. Sangria is especially convenient because it benefits from sitting in the refrigerator for a while.

For cocktails containing Champagne, Prosecco or seltzer, wait to add the sparkling ingredients until you’re ready to serve so they stay nice and bubbly.

More Fall Cocktails to Try

Apple cider may be one of my favorite flavors of the season, but it certainly isn’t the only one.

Fall is the perfect time for cocktails made with bourbon, cranberry, maple, pumpkin spice and all those warm seasonal flavors we start craving as soon as the weather cools down.

Be sure to check out my collection of fall cocktails for even more drinks to serve at fall parties, Halloween, Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving.

Cheers to Apple Cider Season!

From spicy margaritas and refreshing spritzes to bubbly Champagne cocktails and cozy bourbon drinks, there are so many ways to turn fresh apple cider into a delicious fall cocktail.

Pick up a bottle—or maybe two—the next time you’re at the orchard or grocery store and try a few of these recipes throughout the season.

Whether you’re entertaining a crowd or mixing up one drink at the end of the day, I hope you find a new favorite apple cider cocktail to enjoy.

Cheers and happy fall!