Apple Cider Mimosa With Cinnamon Sugar Rim

If you’re looking for a drink that tastes like fall in a glass, this apple cider mimosa is it! The mix of crisp apple cider, warm bourbon, and bubbly sparkling wine is refreshing and festive, and the cinnamon sugar rim adds the perfect sweet-spiced touch. It looks and tastes impressive, but is made in only 5 minutes.

Three champagne glasses filled with a yellow Apple Cider Mimosa, garnished with apple slices and cinnamon rims, are placed next to apples, brown sugar, and a bottle of sparkling wine. - 1

If I’m in the mood for a festive drink that feels cozy and celebratory, this apple cider mimosa is the one I make. It’s a sparkling mix of crisp apple cider, a splash of bourbon for warmth, and bubbly sparkling wine to keep things light and fun. The cinnamon sugar rim finishes it with a touch of autumn magic in every sip.

I make these every fall, and they’re always the first thing friends ask for when they come over. They’re incredibly easy to mix up but feel straight off a brunch menu—special without being fussy. One sip in, and it’s hard to imagine going back to a plain mimosa.

Ingredient notes

all the ingredients needed to make an apple cider mimosa - 2

all the ingredients needed to make an apple cider mimosa - 3

Here’s what you’ll need to make this crisp and refreshing mimosa recipe with apple cider:

Cinnamon sugar: I use my homemade cinnamon sugar blend . It’s easy to make your own by mixing one part cinnamon with four parts sugar.
Apple cider: Fresh apple cider is ideal, but unfiltered apple juice tastes great, too.
Bourbon or spiced rum: Bourbon has notes of caramel and vanilla, while spiced rum is sweeter with notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Use your favorite or what you have on hand. Both add lots of flavor to this festive cocktail.
Sparkling wine: I always opt for Brut for mimosas because it’s not overly sweet so it balances out the sweetness of the apple cider. If you like sweeter drinks, pick up a bottle of Cava or Prosecco.

How to garnish your apple mimosa

Late every summer, I always get a visit from my lovely neighbour who brings me a big bag of apples from her tree. They are tiny apples and make the perfect garnish for these mimosas. I cut them in half (through the middle, not the top) to make the star shape in the middle.

If you don’t have a neighbour who gifts you mini apples, a slice of apple works great. When I do this, I put the apple slice right into the glass – it looks really pretty! A cinnamon stick is another pretty garnish you can try.

How to make a pitcher of apple cider mimosas

If you’re entertaining, it’s easy to turn this recipe into a pitcher for parties by using cups instead of ounces. Use 2 cups of apple cider, ½ cup of bourbon (or spiced rum), and 2 cups of sparkling wine.

To make these mimosas ahead of time, rim the glasses with cinnamon sugar the day before your party and leave them on your counter. You can also add the bourbon and apple cider to a pitcher and refrigerate it. Right before serving, pour in the sparkling wine and serve!

Can I turn this into a mocktail?

Mimosas are the easiest cocktail to make non-alcoholic. In this case, you have two options. Omit the bourbon and use either de-alcoholized sparkling wine (for a very low alcohol version) or sparkling apple juice (for a no-alcohol mimosa). I often make the version with dealcoholized sparkling wine for myself, and it’s wonderful!