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    Home » Recipes » Simple Syrups

    Brown Sugar Apple Cider Syrup for Fall Drinks

    Modified: Apr 18, 2025 · Published: Oct 5, 2021 by Katy McAvoy

    This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

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    Apple Cider Syrup for cocktails and mocktails.

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

    Apple Cider Syrup
    Jump to:
    • What's in Brown Sugar Apple Syrup
    • How to Make Brown Sugar Apple Cider Syrup
    • Ways to Use Apple Cider Syrup
    • Tips on Making Apple Cider Syrup
    • Looking for more Apple Recipes?
    • Try These Simple Syrup Recipes 
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Brown Sugar Apple Cider Syrup Recipe

    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. 

    Made with simple ingredients and full of fall of fall flavors, this easy apple brown sugar syrup recipe is a delicious way to bring sweet apple flavor to your morning coffee. If you enjoy the Starbucks apple brown sugar syrup in your macchiato, you'll love this recipe. And you can make it in your own kitchen in mere minutes! 

    Use Brown Sugar 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.

    What's in Brown Sugar 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, apple cider is the key ingredient to this syrup.
    • Brown sugar - Brown sugar has a richness that pairs perfectly with apples. Choose either light brown sugar or dark brown sugar depending on your preference. 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 Brown Sugar Apple Cider Syrup

    Heat apple cider in a small saucepan 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 sieve, remove sage leaves and citrus peels. 

    Straining sage leaves and citrus peel from apple cider syrup

    Pour into a glass, airtight container (like a mason jar) and refrigerate until ready to use. 

    Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. 

    apple-cider-syrup-story-cover

    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.

    Sparkling Citrus Apple Mocktail
    Citrus Apple Mocktails

    Try These Simple Syrup Recipes 

    Perfect for hot coffee and cold drinks alike, these homemade syrups are a great way to add lot of flavor to your favorite sip. 

    • Pumpkin Spice Syrup
    • Cinnamon Syrup for Drinks
    • Vanilla Syrup for Coffee
    • Brown Sugar Coffee Syrup

    Print the Recipe Card

    Apple Cider Syrup

    Brown Sugar Apple Cider Syrup Recipe

    Katy McAvoy
    Nothing says fall like fresh apple cider. And while there are dozens of ways to enjoy cider, none are as uniquely delicious as Brown Sugar Apple Cider Syrup. 
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Servings 16

    Equipment

    • Fine Mesh Strainer
    • Glass Bottles
    • Small Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups apple cider
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 8 fresh sage leaves
    • 2 inch piece orange peel
    • 2 inch piece lemon peel

    Instructions
     

    • Heat apple cider in a small pot over medium heat. 
      2 cups apple cider
    • Stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add sage leaves. 
      1 cup brown sugar, 8 fresh sage leaves
    • Bring to a boil, then immediately reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. 
    • Remove from heat and add orange peel and lemon peel. 
      2 inch piece orange peel, 2 inch piece lemon peel
    • Set mixture aside and allow to cool to room temperature, approx 90 mins. 
    • Remove sage leaves and citrus peels. 
    • Pour into a glass jar and refrigerate until ready to use. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ounceCalories: 67kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.003gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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