This Apple Cider and Ginger Mocktail is perfect for a group dinner party in early fall. It’s sweet, a little tangy, smooth from the blending, and finishes with a warm heat from the ginger.
One of my favorite times to serve this is with an early fall dinner - when the weather is warm during the day, but cools off once the sun sets. This drink is perfect to sip on when you've put on a light jacket to step outside after dinner, when the evening starts to turn clear and crisp.
You can serve it before dinner when the windows might still be open to let in the breeze. Or you can serve it after dinner in the sitting room while talking about the most recent game.
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Ingredients
One of my main gripes about apple cider is that it tends to be too sweet. So when I was working on this, I wanted to find a way to serve cider that was different, fun, and not overly sweet or heavily spiced. I usually like to pour apple cider over ice and let some natural dilution happen. And I tried infusing apple cider with ginger power, but it just turned out grainy and too spicy. Eventually I landed on making sure the apple cider was COLD and then blending in the ginger before straining everything.
This combo of chilling and blending, plus a few dashes of apple cider vinegar, cuts the sweetness. Also blending and straining the ingredients aerates the drink, giving it a nice foam… which more labor intensive versions of this would only get AFTER a very long shaking period. Which I tried while testing this drink multiple times. Blending is the way to go.
The small dashes of apple cider vinegar gives this just a tiny bit of zing that shouldn’t really be noticeable, but will cut the inherently syrupy nature of apple cider. The ginger gives the drink a peppery, spicy kick that lingers for an afterglow.
- Apple Cider - If possible, get this from a local orchard. Ideally it will be fresh pressed and you can sample some before you make a purchase. If you can’t get it farm fresh, so to speak, you can see if your grocery store carries fresh apple cider. The higher quality apple ciders should be in the refrigerated section near the juice. If it’s not there, it might be stocked on an endcap. If all else fails, ask an employee.
- Ginger - Yes, this really needs to be fresh ginger. You can usually find fresh ginger in the produce section of your grocery store. Look for ginger that is firm and smooth. Avoid getting anything that feels soft or looks shriveled - both are indicators that it’s gone bad.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - This is actually optional; but I write it into the recipe because you should have it on hand, and use your judgement on how much suits your particular palette. I recommend a high quality vinegar. But if you don't have one, even a few drops of any apple cider vinegar will do.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Place chopped ginger and cider in a blender and blend for 10 seconds on low, then 30 seconds on high.
Strain through a fine mesh sieve or strainer.
Hint: If you have a small strainer, you may want to do this in batches, scraping out the ginger solids before adding additional liquid to the strainer.
Equipment
Blender - A blender is needed for this, and a high power blender is great if you have one.
Fine Mesh Sieve or Strainer - Using a fine mesh strainer will help you quickly separate out the ginger solids after blending. Cheese cloth wasn't letting enough liquid through when I tried it, so I don't recommend that as a substitute.
Storage
You can make this ahead of time and store in the fridge for 2-3 days in a sealed container. It is important that you strain the mixture fully so that no ginger bits remain. Leaving ginger in the apple cider will turn it into a VERY peppery drink.
Pro tip
If you know how to smoke glasses, this is a good drink to do that for. I burned a cinnamon stick for a test round and loved it. If you have no idea what smoking a glass for a drink means, don’t try it right before you have guests over. THAT would be a rookie move... which I’ve done before.
FAQ for Apple Cider and Ginger Mocktail
I think bourbon would make a great addition. But others have said that whisky is a favorite pairing with apple cider.
Related
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📖 Recipe
Apple Cider and Ginger Mocktail
Equipment
- Blender
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 6 cups Fresh Apple Cider
- 1 cup Fresh Ginger roughly chopped
- 2-3 dashed Apple Cider Vinegar about ⅛ teaspoon
Optional Garnish
- Extra thin apple slices
Instructions
- Place chopped ginger and apple cider in a blender and blend for 10 seconds on low, then 30 seconds on high.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve or strainer into a pitcher, then pour into individual glasses.
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