Maple Apple Cider Lemonade
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I love apple cider season, but early fall in North Carolina doesn’t always feel like hot-drink weather. In fact, it’s been in the 90s again the past few days! So I wanted to make a cold drink with the flavors of fall that would also be kid-friendly.
I combined apple cider and lemonade, then added a little maple syrup, vanilla and the tiniest pinch of salt. The alcohol-free version passed a kid taste test, and when my boyfriend came home and tried it, he said, “Ooh, it’s delicious. Can you add some rum to mine?” Haha. So we added a shot of Bacardí Caribbean Spiced Rum, and it was excellent.
And that’s how this became one fall drink that works for both kids and adults. Keep the base alcohol-free, then add rum only to the adult glasses.
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Why You’ll Love This Maple Apple Cider Lemonade
- It’s a cold, noncarbonated drink with the flavors of fall.
- You only need five ingredients, plus ice (garnishes are optional), so it’s quick and easy to make.
- The main recipe is kid-friendly, and it can also be served as a mocktail.
- Adults can turn their glass into a spiced rum cocktail, if they want.
- It makes one serving, so it’s easy to test before serving it to guests if you’re having a party.
Kitchen Tools and Equipment
Here’s everything you need to make this Maple Apple Cider Lemonade recipe. If you’re looking for recommendations for ingredients or kitchen tools, check out the Recipe Resources section at the bottom of this post.
- Liquid measuring cup or jigger
- Measuring spoons
- Glass
- Long spoon or cocktail stirrer
Ingredients
- Apple cider
- Lemonade
- Pure maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- A very small pinch of fine sea salt
- Ice
- Thin apple slices and/or a lemon wheel, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Maple Apple Cider Lemonade
- Add the apple cider, lemonade, maple syrup, vanilla extract and sea salt to a glass.
- Stir well until the maple syrup is completely mixed in.
- Add ice and stir again.
- Garnish with thin apple slices and a lemon wheel, if desired.
Why Add Salt?
A tiny pinch of salt balances the sweetness of the apple cider and maple syrup with the tartness of the lemonade. It also helps the apple, maple and vanilla flavors stand out. The finished drink should not taste salty, so use only a very small pinch!
Make It a Maple Apple Cider Rum Cocktail
For the adult version, make one serving of this drink recipe as written and stir in 1½ ounces Bacardí Caribbean Spiced Rum (or your favorite spiced rum). Keeping the rum separate makes it easy to serve the same fall drink to kids and adults without mixing up the glasses.
If you would rather have a warm apple cider cocktail, try my Hot Buttered Rum with Apple Cider.
Is Maple Apple Cider Lemonade a Mocktail?
Yes, this drink can be made as a mocktail, especially when it is served over ice with an apple and lemon garnish. I kept “lemonade” in the recipe title because it tells you exactly what the drink is, while the optional rum turns it into a simple fall cocktail.
What Kind of Rum Is Best With Apple Cider Lemonade?
I tested this drink with Bacardí Caribbean Spiced Rum, and it was fantastic. Add one 1½-ounce shot to an individual serving. I recommend using your favorite spiced rum in this recipe, since that goes well with apple cider.
Can I Use Apple Juice Instead of Apple Cider?
No, I wouldn’t. I haven’t tested this recipe with apple juice. For the same flavor and results described here, use apple cider! If you do decide to try it with apple juice instead, leave a comment at the bottom of the page and let us all know how it was.
Maple Apple Cider Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4 ounces chilled apple cider
- 2 ounces lemonade
- ½ teaspoon pure maple syrup
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- A very small pinch of fine sea salt
- Ice
- Thin apple slices and a lemon wheel for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Add the apple cider, lemonade, maple syrup, vanilla extract and sea salt to a tall glass.
- Stir well until the maple syrup is completely mixed in.
- Add ice and stir again.
- Garnish with thin apple slices and a lemon wheel.
Notes
Use only a very small pinch of salt. The finished drink should not taste salty.
Recipe Resources
Here are the ingredients and kitchen tools I used to make this recipe.
-
Apple cider: Wegmans Apple Cider
-
Lemonade: Simply Lemonade
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Maple Syrup: Great Value Pure Maple Syrup
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Vanilla Extract: Watkins Baking Vanilla
-
Sea Salt: Maldon’s Sea Salt
I hope you’ll try this maple apple cider lemonade the next time you want a cold drink that still feels like fall. If you make it, let me know whether you kept it alcohol-free or added the spiced rum!
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