Apple Cider Syrup for the BEST Fall Cocktails and Mocktails

Name: Apple Cider Syrup for the BEST Fall Cocktails and Mocktails
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups apple cider; 1 cup brown sugar; 8 fresh sage leaves; 2 inch piece of orange peel; 2 inch piece of lemon peel

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.

Nothing says fall like fresh apple cider. And while there are dozens of ways to enjoy cider, none are as uniquely delicious as Apple Cider Syrup.

We’re skipping the cinnamon and nutmeg for this recipe in favor of savory fresh sage and bright citrus. The cook time is minimal, making this syrup easy to make and perfect for keeping on hand for fall gatherings and cocktail hours.

Use Apple Cider Syrup to create amazing fall favorite cocktails and mocktails. Use it with sparkling water, bourbon, or my apple cinnamon gin. Drink recipes for all three of these tasty options are below!

What You Need

Apple cider
Brown sugar
Fresh sage
Orange peel
Lemon peel

How to Make Apple Cider Syrup

Heat apple cider in a small pot over medium heat.

Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add sage leaves.

Apple cider, sage, and brown sugar in a pot.

Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Apple cider, brown sugar, and sage simmering in a pot.

Remove from heat and add orange peel and lemon peel.

Orange peel and lemon peel being added to a pot on the stove.

Set mixture aside and allow to cool to room temperature, approximately 90 minutes.

Remove sage leaves and citrus peels.

Straining sage leaves and citrus peel from apple cider syrup

Pour into a glass jar and refrigerate until ready to use.

What to Make with Apple Cider Syrup

Apple Cider Sangria Mocktail

Combine 2 oz apple cider syrup, 1 oz ginger ale, and 2 oz sparkling water in a stemless wine glass.

Add ice. Garnish with slices of apple or red and green grapes. Enjoy!

Apple Old Fashioned

Combine 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz apple cider syrup, 3 dashes aromatic bitters in a mixing glass half filled with ice. Stir for 10-15 seconds until mixture is well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Twist an orange peel over the glass and drop it into your drink. Enjoy!

Apple Gin Cocktail

Combine 2 oz gin, 2 oz apple cider syrup, and 0.5 oz lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Pour into a coupe glass and top with 1.5 oz ginger ale. Try it with apple cinnamon infused gin!

Tips on Apple Cider Syrup

What can I use instead of brown sugar?

Maple syrup (100% pure, not pancake syrup), is a great substitute for the brown sugar in this recipe.

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Yes, but you’ll need to cook the apple juice first. To use apple juice instead of cider, add 2 ½ cups of juice to your pot over medium heat and cook until it reduces down to 2 cups before adding the brown sugar and continuing on with the recipe.

Can I use dried sage instead of fresh?

Nope. You need fresh sage leaves for this recipe. If you can’t find fresh sage, just leave it out.