Apple Cider Syrup for the BEST Fall Cocktails and Mocktails

Name: How to Make Apple Cider Syrup
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

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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.

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Ingredients for Apple Syrup
How to Make Apple Cider Syrup
Ways to Use Apple Cider Syrup
Tips on Making Apple Cider Syrup
Looking for more Apple Recipes?
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How to Make Apple Cider Syrup

This recipe skips the cinnamon and nutmeg for this recipe in favor of savory fresh sage and bright citrus. With minimal cook time, this apple syrup easy to make and perfect for keeping on hand for fall entertaining and happy hours.

Use Apple Cider Syrup to create amazing fall cocktails and mocktails. Use it with sparkling water for an apple soda, with bourbon in my Apple Old Fashioned, or combine it with tonic water and my apple cinnamon gin for an amazing fall drink.

Ingredients for Apple Syrup

Ingredients for apple cider syrup - apple cider, brown sugar, orange, lemon, sage.

Apple cider - Fresh from the farm, farmers market, or grocery store, delicious apple cider is the key ingredient to this syrup.
Brown sugar - Brown sugar has a richness that pairs perfectly with apples. Want to use a different sweetener? Swap it out for maple syrup.
Fresh sage - Do not use dried sage here. Only fresh sage leaves will do.
Orange - We're using the peel of the orange for this recipe, so choose a fresh, firm orange. I use naval oranges for this syrup.
Lemon - Like the orange, we're using only the lemon peel in this recipe so look for one that's fresh and very firm to the touch.

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.

Using a fine mesh strainer, 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.

Ways to Use Apple Cider Syrup

Make Apple Cider Sangria mocktails - Combine 2 oz apple cider syrup, 1 oz ginger ale, and 2 oz sparkling water in a glass. Add ice. Garnish with slices of apple or red and green grapes. Enjoy!
Use it to sweeten hot tea.
Shake up 2 oz apple cider syrup with oat milk, ice cubes, and espresso for a delicious take on Starbucks' Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken.
Make an 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!
As a key ingredients in my Apple Old Fashioned Cocktails.

Apple Old Fashioned Cocktails. — Apple Old Fashioned

Tips on Making 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 or don't like sage, just leave it out of the recipe.

Looking for more Apple Recipes?

Apples are so versatile and delicious in lots of recipes. Try them with goat cheese in my Apple, Bacon, and Goat Cheese Crostini. Or baked up in Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal, my favorite fall breakfast.

Of course I have lots of delicious apple cocktail and mocktail recipes too! This Apple Orchard cocktail is crisp and refreshing, as are my Citrus Apple Mocktails. Get all my favorite apple recipes on this 15 Unique and Delicious Apple Recipes roundup page.