Apple Cider Mimosa

Quick Answer: An Apple Cider Mimosa is a simple fall brunch cocktail made with dry sparkling wine, unfiltered apple cider, and fresh lemon juice, finished with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

The recipe takes about 5 minutes, makes 4 servings, and is best assembled immediately before serving so the sparkling wine stays bubbly.

For the best balance, use Brut or Extra Brut sparkling wine and unfiltered, cloudy apple cider.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Apple Cider Mimosa

• Only 5 minutes to make: There’s no cooking or complicated preparation.
• Perfect for fall brunch: Apple cider gives the classic mimosa a cozy seasonal twist.
• Simple ingredients: You only need sparkling wine, apple cider, lemon juice, and garnishes.
• Easy to customize: Adjust the cider-to-wine ratio depending on how dry or sweet you like your drink.
• Great for entertaining: Set up a mimosa bar and let guests pour their own.
• Beautiful presentation: Cinnamon sticks and thin apple slices make an easy garnish.
• Easy non-alcoholic option: Use sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling cider instead of champagne.

A classic mimosa is usually made with sparkling wine and orange juice, but apple cider makes a wonderful seasonal alternative.

This Apple Cider Mimosa combines the crisp bubbles of dry sparkling wine with the deeper, sweeter flavor of unfiltered apple cider. A little fresh lemon juice adds acidity to keep the drink balanced rather than overly sweet.

I especially like this version for autumn brunches, Thanksgiving morning, holiday gatherings, bridal showers, and other daytime celebrations.

If you’re planning a fall brunch, you can pair these mimosas with our Brussels Sprouts and Apple Salad for a fresh savory contrast.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 16 fluid ounces (473 ml) unfiltered apple cider, chilled
• 16 fluid ounces (473 ml) Brut champagne or dry sparkling wine, chilled
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 4 cinnamon sticks, for garnish
• 4 thin apple slices, for garnish

Choose Unfiltered Apple Cider

Use unfiltered, cloudy apple cider rather than clear apple juice.

The cider provides a deeper apple flavor and more body, while clear apple juice is sweeter and lacks the same tangy character.

Choose a Dry Sparkling Wine

Brut or Extra Brut sparkling wine works best because apple cider already contributes considerable sweetness.

Prosecco is also a good substitute if you prefer a slightly fruitier sparkling wine.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Champagne flutes or coupe glasses
• Measuring cup
• Measuring spoon
• Spoon or small stirrer
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Refrigerator or freezer for chilling the glasses

Champagne flutes are particularly useful because their narrow shape helps preserve carbonation longer.

How to Make Apple Cider Mimosas

1. Chill the Glasses

Place your champagne flutes or coupes in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.

A cold glass helps the drink retain its bubbles longer.

2. Add the Lemon Juice

Add ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) of fresh lemon juice to the bottom of each glass.

The acidity helps balance the sweetness of the cider.

3. Add the Apple Cider

Pour 4 fluid ounces (120 ml) of chilled apple cider into each glass.

4. Add the Sparkling Wine

Slowly pour 4 fluid ounces (120 ml) of chilled champagne or sparkling wine down the side of each glass.

Tilt the glass slightly as you pour to reduce excessive foaming.

5. Garnish and Serve

Add a cinnamon stick and thin apple slice to each glass.

Serve immediately while the drink is still actively fizzing.

Tips for the Best Apple Cider Mimosa

Keep Everything Cold

Chill the cider, sparkling wine, and glasses before assembling the drinks.

Warm liquids lose carbonation quickly and can leave you with a flat mimosa.

Use Fresh Lemon Juice

Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the drink a cleaner, brighter flavor.

The original recipe specifically recommends fresh rather than bottled lemon juice.

Don’t Stir After Adding the Wine

The pouring action is enough to combine the cider and sparkling wine.

Stirring can release the carbonation and make the drink go flat.

Use a 1:1 Ratio

The standard recipe uses equal parts apple cider and sparkling wine.

This gives you a good balance between the sweetness of the cider and dryness of the wine.

Adjust the Ratio to Your Taste

For a drier drink, use 2 parts sparkling wine to 1 part cider.

For a sweeter, lower-alcohol drink, use 1 part sparkling wine to 2 parts cider.

Don’t Use Sweet Sparkling Wine

Avoid sweeter wines such as Demi-Sec or Moscato because the cider can make the finished drink overly sweet.

Brut or Extra Brut is a better choice.

Storage & Make-Ahead

Can You Make Apple Cider Mimosas Ahead?

Don’t fully assemble the drinks ahead of time.

The carbonation can dissipate quickly after the cider and sparkling wine are mixed.

Instead, prepare the components ahead:

• Chill the sparkling wine.
• Chill the apple cider.
• Measure the lemon juice.
• Chill the glasses.
• Prepare the garnishes.

Then assemble the drinks just before serving.

Serving a Crowd

For a large gathering, don’t mix the entire batch in a pitcher.

Instead, create a self-serve mimosa bar with chilled sparkling wine and cider, then allow guests to pour their own drinks. This keeps the carbonation fresher.

For a full fall brunch menu, serve them alongside our Apple Cider Glazed Chicken.

Variations

Maple Bourbon Cider Mimosa

Add:

• ½ oz (15 ml) bourbon
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup

This gives the mimosa a warmer, richer, oaky flavor.

Cranberry Cider Mimosa

Add 1 oz (30 ml) cranberry juice for a tart, festive drink with a beautiful red color.

Spiced Cider Mimosa

Add 1 dash Angostura bitters for a deeper, more complex spiced flavor.

Rosé Cider Mimosa

Replace the standard sparkling wine with Rosé Brut for a lighter, fruitier variation.

Non-Alcoholic Apple Cider Mimosa

Replace the champagne with plain sparkling water, ginger ale, or non-alcoholic sparkling cider.

Sparkling water gives the least sweetness, while ginger ale adds a spicy note. Non-alcoholic sparkling cider works too, although it will produce a sweeter drink.

For another refreshing alcohol-free option, try our Mango Pineapple Chia Smoothie.

FAQ

What Is an Apple Cider Mimosa?

It’s a seasonal variation of a traditional mimosa that replaces orange juice with unfiltered apple cider.

The combination creates a deeper, sweeter, more autumnal flavor than the classic citrus-based drink.

How Much Champagne vs. Apple Cider Should I Use?

The standard ratio is 1:1.

Use equal parts sparkling wine and apple cider for the recipe as written. You can use 2:1 wine-to-cider for a drier drink or 1:2 for a sweeter, lower-alcohol version.

What Is the Best Champagne for Apple Cider Mimosas?

Choose Brut or Extra Brut champagne or another dry sparkling wine.

Prosecco also works well if you prefer a slightly fruitier flavor.

Can I Use Prosecco Instead of Champagne?

Yes.

Prosecco is a good substitute and provides the dry bubbles needed for the drink.

Is Apple Cider the Same as Apple Juice?

No.

The recipe calls for unfiltered apple cider, which is cloudy and has a stronger apple flavor. Apple juice is filtered, clear, and generally sweeter.

Can I Use Hard Cider?

No.

The original recipe specifically recommends non-alcoholic, unfiltered apple cider. Hard cider already contains alcohol and would change the balance of the drink.

How Do I Fix an Apple Cider Mimosa That Is Too Sweet?

Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice or a dash of bitters.

You can also top the drink with a little dry club soda or use a drier sparkling wine next time.

For a fall dessert to serve afterward, try our Ultimate Cinnamon Apple Crisp.

When Should I Serve Apple Cider Mimosas?

They’re especially suited to autumn and winter brunches, Thanksgiving morning, holiday gatherings, October or November bridal showers, and daytime celebrations.

For a savory fall pairing, try our Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash.

Conclusion

Apple Cider Mimosas are an easy way to give the classic brunch cocktail a cozy fall twist.

The key is simple: keep everything cold, use a dry Brut sparkling wine, use unfiltered apple cider, stick close to the 1:1 ratio, and pour each drink immediately before serving.

For a larger gathering, skip the pitcher and set up a simple mimosa bar instead. That way, every glass stays fresh, cold, and bubbly.