Five Cozy Fall Mocktails

Fall is a magical time of the year: apple picking, fall foliage, pumpkin spice lattes, bonfires, and autumn-themed cocktails. Of course, a drink can be carefully crafted to encapsulate the season without alcohol. Here, we’ll prove it with five cozy mocktail recipes you’ll fall in love with.

Candy Corn Mocktail

(image via laura the gastronaut)

We know candy corn is a hot topic for debate every spooky season. But when you combine candy corn simple syrup with cream soda and pineapple juice, the result is scary delicious. Check out this recipe from Laura the Gastronaut.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup water
• ½ cup candy corn
• 2 tsp honey
• 4 small slices fresh ginger (about 1½-by-¼-by-1-inch)
• 2 oz cream soda
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1½ oz heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Make Candy Corn Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine water, candy corn, honey, and ginger. Place over medium heat and stir until mixture is simmering. Lower heat and continue to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 20 minutes.
2. Make Mocktail: Dip and roll the rim of a cocktail glass into candy corn simple syrup, then dip and roll it into orange-colored sugar.
3. Pour 1 oz of candy corn simple syrup into the cocktail glass. Slowly pouring the back of a bar spoon, add cream soda so it floats on top of syrup. Then, slowly pouring on the back of a bar spoon, add pineapple juice. The cream soda and pineapple juice will mix some, but they both should float on top of the syrup. Lastly, pouring slowly over the back of a bar spoon, add heavy cream. Gently use the bar spoon to spread the cream so it covers the top of the drink.
4. Before drinking, stir the mocktail to combine the layers and enjoy.

Blackberry and Sage Spritzers

(image via grandbaby cakes)

If the perfect fall day means spending time outdoors, this sweet yet woodsy mocktail recipe from Grandbaby Cakes may be just what you’re after. Fresh blackberries, honey, sage leaves, and ginger ale create an aromatic and delicious beverage.

Ingredients:

• 8 fresh blackberries, plus more for garnish
• ¼ cup honey
• 10 fresh sage leaves, plus more for garnish
• 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• ½ cup ginger ale
• 2 cups seltzer water, divided

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker, mix blackberries, honey, and sage until well combined. If necessary, add ice to help mash together the ingredients.
2. Add lime juice and ginger ale, cover, and shake to mix.
3. Strain the mixture into two glasses with ice.
4. Top off each glass with 1 cup seltzer.
5. Garnish with blackberries and sage leaves, then serve.

Autumn Spice Mocktail

(image via intentional hospitality)

Cranberry juice, fresh ginger, cloves, cinnamon, freshly squeezed orange juice, and Granny Smith apples work together in this mocktail recipe from Intentional Hospitality to perfectly encapsulate the taste of autumn. This drink is perfect for sipping anytime you’re wrapped in your favorite sweater, enjoying a crisp fall evening.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups diet cranberry juice
• 1 orange, juiced
• ½ Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into slices
• 1 tsp whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 piece fresh ginger, cut the size of a penny about ¼-inch thick
• 1 empty tea bag or cheesecloth
• Orange slices, rosemary sprigs, and cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Place ginger, cinnamon stick, and cloves into the tea bag and pull the drawstring tight. You can also tie spices in a cheesecloth.
2. Pour 4 cups cranberry juice into a saucepan. Place the tea bag of spices, orange juice, and apple slices in a pan.
3. Simmer over low heat for 1 hour.
4. Remove the tea bag of spices. Chill to serve cold over ice or serve immediately warm.
5. Garnish cold drink with orange slice and sprig of rosemary. Garnish warm drink with cinnamon stick.

Rosemary Pear Mocktail

(image via mash and spread)

Pear is a classic fall flavor, so we never turn down the opportunity to enjoy it in any way we can. The rosemary adds an unmistakable sharpness that complements the sweetness. Check out this recipe from Mash and Spread.

Ingredients:

For the Rosemary Simple Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary

For the Mocktail:

• Ice
• 4 Tbsp pear juice
• 1 Tbsp rosemary simple syrup
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 6 Tbsp sparkling water

Instructions:

For the Rosemary Simple Syrup:

1. Combine sugar and water in a pot and cook over medium heat until sugar is completely melted/dissolved. Turn off heat and allow mix to cool with rosemary sprigs.
2. Once cooled, remove rosemary sprigs and set aside.

For the Mocktail:

1. Add ice halfway to glass. Add pear juice, rosemary simple syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water.
2. Garnish with fresh pear slices or thyme sprigs.

Caramel Apple Pie Mocktail

(image via merry about town)

What’s more festive than a drink that tastes like a fall delicacy – a bite at first but ends on a soft, sweet note? Think: sparkling apple cider with just the right amount of caramel. Try this recipe from Merry About Town.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups apple cider
• ½ cup caramel syrup
• 3 cups sparkling water
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 apples
• 6 rosemary sprigs
• Golden brown sugar for rimming

Instructions:

1. In a pitcher, mix apple cider with caramel syrup and add cinnamon.
2. Cut apples into thin slices and add to pitcher. Add rosemary sprigs and let it sit for 20 minutes.
3. Pour the sparkling water into the pitcher. Mix.
4. Rim glasses with golden brown sugar.
5. Pour the caramel apple pie mocktail into the glasses and serve.