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Spiced Sparkling Apple Cider

This spiced sparkling apple cider highlights the warm and comforting flavors of fall. This is THE drink to serve on Thanksgiving Day alongside anything from a hearty Thanksgiving meal to a big slice of your favorite pie. Each sip is infused with the flavors of warm apple pie including the forever popular cinnamon along with nutmeg and a hint of cloves. Although the spices harmoniously meld to create one incredible mocktail, they all have their time to shine. Initially, taste buds are welcomed with sweet apple flavor then the deep complexity of the cider as well as the brown sugar-based simple syrup sets in. The warm, sweet scent of cinnamon comes soon after followed by the nutty complexity that is nutmeg then the cloves' distinct pungency breaks through. And since this is a Thanksgiving-themed mocktail, each drink is finished with a few frozen cranberries to help keep the beverages cold.

Total Time:  40 minutes

Active Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Serves 6

Spiced simple syrup
  • 1 cup water

  • 1 cup light brown sugar

  • 2 sticks of cinnamon

  • 1 whole clove

  • ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

  • 1-inch piece of orange rind

Mocktail
  • 6 cups non-alcoholic sparkling apple cider

  • ¼ cup spiced simple syrup

  • 1 cup frozen cranberries

Spiced Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail Directions To make the simple syrup:
  1. Add the water and brown sugar to a small saucepan.

  2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

  3. Stir and let boil for 3 minutes or until the sugar dissolves.

  4. Remove from the heat then add the spices and orange rind.

  5. Leave to cool for 30 minutes.

  6. Strain and store in a bottle or jar.

     

For the spiced apple cider mocktail:
  1. Pour the sparkling apple cider into a pitcher with the simple syrup. Stir.

  2. Taste and add more simple syrup if needed.

  3. Pour into glasses, finish with frozen cranberries then serve.