Apple Cider Mojito

5 from 1 vote

Cozy fall flavors meets refreshing mint mojito with this delicious Apple Cider Mojito recipe. This seasonal twist on a classic cocktail is simple to make and has a delightful flavor. You’re going to love adding it to your fall cocktail rotation!

A floral glass with iced apple mojito garnished with mint, cinnamon stick, apple slice, and lime. Served on a woven coaster with a red apple and lime nearby.

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About this Apple Cider Mojito Recipe

With Thanksgiving coming up soon, it’s time to really start thinking about the most important part of the meal — pie. I’ll be making one for my own gathering, but I haven’t yet decided which kind. I’m thinking pumpkin or chocolate. Maybe two pies? Maybe both rolled into one?! I have plenty of time to decide, thank goodness.

Apple pie has often been a staple at our Thanksgiving celebrations. It’s truly a cozy classic that never gets old. This apple cider mojito easily evokes all the sweetness and warmth of this fall dessert, making it the perfect drink to kickstart your Thanksgiving gathering.

You’ll need two kinds of apple, plus limes and fresh mint to pack into this fruity libation. The apple brings a welcome autumnal twist to this summer classic that will have your guests asking for more.

Of course, Thanksgiving sangria is usually on the menu too. But one can never have too many fall cocktail ideas on hand, am I right?

More Thanksgiving cocktails: Pumpkin Spice Old FashionedApple Cider Sangria Pumpkin Martini

A glass of iced apple cocktail garnished with apple slices, lime wedge, mint, and a cinnamon stick on a woven coaster.

Note from the author

2024 update: I first published this recipe back in 2014, but I have since I updated this post with new photos, tweaked the recipe a little bit and and added more tips for making the best-ever Apple Cider Mojito.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Fall flavors and minty, refreshing goodness in one glass? Yes, please! This is the perfect way to say cheers to the season:

  • Make an apple cider mojito in just 10 minutes. That means, you and your guests can spend more time enjoying your drinks instead of making them at the bar!
  • There is so much delightful flavor in this cocktail. The warming spices combined with mint is a combination you won’t soon forget.
  • This is a fabulous cocktail to serve at Thanksgiving, but it’s even great for Halloween, Christmas, tailgates and any other gathering during those chilly months of the year. (My Christmas mojito is also a hit!)

Tools & glassware 

To make this apple cider mojito, you’ll need a few basic bar tools. Make sure you’ve got a jigger to measure each ingredient, as well as a muddler and some highball glasses for serving.

If you plan to use fresh lime juice, which I highly recommend, make sure you’ve got a citrus juicer. You’ll also need a knife and cutting board (or a mandoline) to make apple slices and lime wedges to use as a garnish.

Two glasses of apple cider mojito with ice, mint, lime, and cinnamon garnish on coasters. Nearby are an apple, a lime, a jigger, and mint leaves on a white surface.

Ingredients

Make sure you have these ingredients to make the autumn version of the classic mojito:

  • mint leaves
  • apple cider
  • simple syrup
  • lime juice
  • spiced rum
  • ginger ale, or club soda
  • …plus garnishes!

Garnishes

Mojitos are beautiful cocktails, with a stunning crown of lime wedges and fresh mint on top. For this fall-inspired version, I went for apple slices and a cinnamon stick as well.

Use any kind of apple you want for the apple slice garnish. But my favorites are sweet varieties — Honeycrisp, Red Delicious and Fuji are so tasty!

Best spiced rum

Mojitos usually call for light rum, AKA silver rum or white rum, which is clear and crisp. But since this is a mojito with fall vibes, I went for spiced rum.

For the best flavor, use a dark or gold spiced rum. Captain Morgan is the most popular brand, but you can even make homemade spiced rum with light rum and spices (it’s my favorite).

For more tips and guidance, check out my rum 101 post. If you don’t drink spiced rum too often, don’t worry — you can use it in my spiced rum ball recipe too!

A tall glass with a patterned design, filled with iced apple cider. Garnished with apple slices, lime, mint, and a cinnamon stick. An apple and a lime sit nearby on woven coasters.

Substitutions & variations

Rum substitution: If you only have regular light rum on hand, then use a different simple syrup to give it that spiced flavor. Pumpkin spice syrup and cinnamon syrup would both be tasty.

Non-alcoholic version: Make this a mocktail by using non-alcoholic spirits like Ritual rum alternative in place of the rum. It has a lovely spiced flavor.

Ginger ale substitute: Ginger beer and lemon-lime soda can be used in place of the ginger ale. Or you can make homemade ginger ale for an extra fresh flavor! If you want a lighter version, use sparkling water or club soda.

Big batch: You can easily make this recipe in bulk by using mint syrup, a simple syrup made with fresh mint, which mean’s so there’s no need for muddling. However, I suggest leaving the ginger ale out of the pitcher—add it to each glass just before serving to keep the bubbles fresh and crisp!

Instructions

Make this perfect fall cocktail in just a few easy steps. Here’s how to create it:

A hand pours liquid from a brass jigger into a floral-patterned glass. Mint leaves are nearby.
A hand pours liquid from a small metal cup into a glass with decorative leaf patterns. Mint leaves are in the bottom of the glass. Mint sprigs lie beside the glass.

In a highball glass, add the fresh mint leaves, apple cider and simple syrup.

Tip: Just before dropping it in, hold the herbs in one hand and clap your other hand on top of them to “spank” them. This process helps to release the essential oils and fragrances for a more aromatic syrup.

Wooden muddler in a glass with floral designs, pressing mint leaves at the bottom.

Muddle together. Press down gently but firmly with the muddler, twisting your wrist slightly, to release the oils in the mint and mix them with the other ingredients. It’s okay if the leaves tear or break.

A hand pours liquid from a small cup into a decorative tall glass with floral patterns. Mint leaves are visible at the bottom of the glass.
A hand pours liquid from a metal jigger into a decorative glass with floral designs. Mint leaves are on the table.

Add the fresh squeezed lime juice and spiced rum, then stir it all together with a bar spoon.

A hand pours a carbonated drink into a tall, decorative glass filled with a brown beverage. Mint leaves are visible at the bottom left corner.

Add ice to the glass, and top it off with ginger ale. Garnish the glass with apple slices, a mint sprig and a cinnamon stick.

Tips & tricks

Make the perfect cocktail with these few tips and tricks:

  • For best results, use chilled ginger ale to help keep the cocktail cold and keep from watering down the ice. No one wants a watered down cocktail!
  • Don’t use hot apple cider in this recipe. I recommend making it ahead of time, or buying pre-made cider, and chilling it before adding to the highball glass.
  • If you don’t have a muddler, the end of a wooden spoon or rolling pin will work great! You just need something that has a large enough surface area to smoosh the mint leaves to release the oils.
A tall glass of iced apple cocktail garnished with mint, apple slices, and a cinnamon stick, placed on a woven coaster.

Food pairings

Serving this during cocktail hour? Pair it with delicious fall appetizers like a charcuterie board, cranberrie brie bites, or baked brie with honey, bacon and walnuts.

This is a fantastic drink for a dinner of apple cider pulled pork tacos too!

And of course, you can pair it with all of the Thanksgiving classics — green bean casserole, roast turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin spice cake, and so much more.

Two tall glasses of iced apple and lime drinks with mint and cinnamon garnish on woven coasters, surrounded by apples, limes, mint leaves, and a gold jigger on a marble surface.

FAQ

Is apple cider the same as apple juice?

No. Apple cider is usually unfiltered and unpasteurized, whereas apple juice is filtered and pasteurized. Apple cider can also have flavors from warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves.

Can I make apple cider mojitos in a pitcher?

This recipe can be made in bulk if you prefer with mint simple syrup, which eliminates the need for muddling. However, I do not recommend adding the ginger ale to the pitcher. Instead, add to each glass just before serving to ensure the bubbles are crisp!

More apple drinks

— Did you make this recipe? —

Please leave a ★★★★★ review or comment below.

A floral glass with iced apple mojito garnished with mint, cinnamon stick, apple slice, and lime. Served on a woven coaster with a red apple and lime nearby.

Apple Cider Mojito

Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Use apple cider and ginger ale to bring an autumnal twist to this summer classic that will have your guests asking for more. This apple cider mojito is delicious!
5 from 1 vote
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ingredients

instructions

  • In a highball glass or cocktail shaker, add the mint leaves, apple cider and simple syrup. Muddle together to release the oils in the mint.
  • Add lime juice and spiced rum. Stir together.
  • Add ice to the glass, then top up with ginger ale.
  • Garnish with apple slices, a mint sprig and a cinnamon stick.

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nutrition information

Yield: 1 drink

amount per serving:

Serving: 6ounces Calories: 209kcal Carbohydrates: 21g Protein: 0.4g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.03g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g Sodium: 16mg Potassium: 118mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 17g Vitamin A: 354IU Vitamin C: 11mg Calcium: 29mg Iron: 1mg
did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #feastandwestrecipes!

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Comments

  1. Meghan says

    This drink is happening TONIGHT – I just can’t wait until Thanksgiving!! P.S. I want that glass, it’s so cute #thingsonlyafoodbloggerwouldsay *love*

    • Susannah says

      It is just so good, Meghan! I think you would looooove it. And isn’t that glass awesome? I borrowed it from my mom and she would be absolutely chuffed that you like it!

  2. Jeanne says

    Hello from this Virgnia blogger! I found your website via ByRegina.com, and she’s right – it’s a feast for the senses. I look forward to your posts.

    • Susannah says

      Thank you so much Jeanne! I appreciate that so much. Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to connecting soon!

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