Put a tasty fall twist on your favorite brunch cocktail and enjoy Apple Cider Mimosas. With a delicious mix of cider, cinnamon syrup, Calvados apple brandy, and sparkling wine, these bubbly little sippers are just loaded with fabulous fall flavor.
I love me a good Mimosa. But hey, Mimosas don't have to be limited to just orange juice! Put a fun fall twist on this classic brunch cocktail with apple cider as the base, instead. As much as I love classic orange juice-based Mimosas, I think I love Apple Cider Mimosas even more.
With their delicious mix of cider, cinnamon syrup, Calvados apple brandy, and sparkling wine, these bubbly little sippers are just loaded with fabulous fall flavor. And an optional cinnamon-sugar rim on the glasses adds a beautifully delicious extra-special touch, too.
A quick note about the Calvados apple brandy called for in this Apple Cider Mimosas recipe. -- When testing, we made the mimosas with no brandy at all, with regular brandy, and with Calvados. Truthfully, we thought brandy would make the mimosas more tasty (and we were right on that), but thought using Calvados Apple Brandy versus regular brandy would make no difference at all. -- On that thought, we were very wrong.
Calvados, a variety of brandy produced in France that's made from apples, created far superior flavor in the finished Apple Cider Mimosas than did regular brandy. So much so in fact, we do not recommend substituting regular brandy for the Calvados at all.
Calvados brings wonderful flavor undertones to the mimosas that regular brandy simply just didn't produce. The version made with regular brandy tasted a bit harsh and just off. So when it comes to Apple Cider Mimosas, we say Calvados is a "special purchase" ingredient that's totally worth it.
With a delicious mix of cider, cinnamon syrup, Calvados apple brandy, and sparkling wine, these bubbly little sippers are just loaded with fabulous fall flavor.
What's to Love About This Recipe?
- A fun fall twist on this classic - Mimosas don't have to be limited to orange juice! Put a fun fall twist on this classic brunch cocktail with apple cider as the base, instead.
- Fabulous apple flavor - With a delicious mix of apple cider, cinnamon, and Calvados apple brandy, these bubbly little sippers are just loaded with fabulous fall apple flavor.
- That cinnamon-sugar rim! - A cinnamon-sugar coated rim adds a beautifully delicious extra-special touch to these tasty Apple Mimosas.
- Cinnamon syrup - Not only is the fabulous flavor of cinnamon around the rim of these tasty Apple Mimosas, it's in the drink itself, too! -- In the form of an easy-to-make and simply delicious cinnamon simple syrup.
Apple Cider Mimosa Ingredients:
With their apple cider + apple brandy base, Apple Cider Mimosas are loaded with fabulous fall apple flavor. To whip up a batch, you'll need:
- Sparkling wine - A dry champagne or sparkling wine, meaning those that have the least amount of sugar and sweetness, provides the traditional mimosa bubbly element in these Apple Mimosas. Dry sparkling wines are typically labeled as "Brut," so look for that designation on the label. -- Some good examples are most non-vintage (NV) champagnes, a Prosecco, or a Cava. We typically use a Prosecco to make our Apple Cider Mimosas.
- Apple cider - Brings fabulous, rich apple flavor to these tasty fall mimosas. If you're making this Apple Cider Mimosa recipe outside of the fall season and are having difficulty finding apple cider in your grocery store, try looking in the produce section. -- It's often stocked there in small quantity out of season.
- Calvados apple brandy - A variety of brandy produced in France that's made from apples, Calvados brings wonderful undertones of flavor to the mimosas. We do not recommend substituting regular brandy for the Calvados, as it just doesn't produce the same flavor elements as Calvados does.
- Cinnamon simple syrup - A mixture of water, dissolved granulated sugar, and cinnamon sticks, cinnamon simple syrup brings a nice fall-spice element and cinnamon undertone to the drinks.
- Apple slices (optional) - Thin apple slices make for a simple, yet lovely, garnish in each cocktail.
How to Make Apple Cider Mimosas:
The first step in making a batch of Apple Cider Mimosas is to prepare an easy cinnamon simple syrup. -- This both sweetens the mimosas and brings a delicious undertone of cinnamon flavor.
To make the cinnamon simple syrup, place some granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, cooking and stirring it until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove the mixture from the heat and drop in four 3-inch cinnamon sticks.
Set the cinnamon simple syrup aside to cool to room temperature. Then pour it into a container, cover, and chill it for at least 12 hours to allow its cinnamon flavor to develop.
A next optional step in preparing Apple Cider Mimosas is to coat the rims of the cocktail's champagne flutes with cinnamon-sugar -- much like salting the rims for Margaritas. While completely optional, the cinnamon-sugar rims are a beautiful and tasty touch.
To create the cinnamon-sugar rims, simply combine some granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small plate or shallow dish. Then wet the rim of each champagne flute, all the way around, with water (or a bit of the prepared cinnamon simple syrup to be used in the mimosas) and dip each rim into the cinnamon-sugar to coat.
Set the coated-rim glasses aside until you're ready to prepare the Apple Cider Mimosas. Note, the cinnamon-sugar rims can be prepared a day or two in advance just fine. -- Once the rims are dry, lightly cover them with plastic wrap until they're needed.
To mix up the Apple Cider Mimosas themselves, combine some apple cider, Calvados apple brandy, and a bit of the prepared cinnamon simple syrup in a measuring cup or small pitcher that pours. Then pour the cider mixture into 4 prepared champagne flutes, dividing the mixture evenly.
Drop an apple slice into each glass as garnish, if you'd like.
Slowly add chilled sparkling wine to each glass, and give each mimosa a brief little stir.
Then you're ready to enjoy the Apple Cider Mimosa deliciousness! With their delicious mix of cider, cinnamon syrup, Calvados apple brandy, and sparkling wine, these bubbly little sippers' fall flavor is sure to please. -- And are a nice seasonal departure from the the classic orange juice mimosa base.
Recipe FAQs:
- What type of champagne or sparkling wine is best to make Apple Cider Mimosas? - Dry champagne or sparkling wines, meaning those that have the least amount of sugar and sweetness, work best to make Apple Cider Mimosas. Dry sparkling wines are typically labeled as "Brut," so look for that designation on the label. -- Some good examples are most non-vintage (NV) champagnes, a Prosecco, or a Cava. We usually use a Prosecco to make our Apple Cider Mimosas.
- What is Calvados brandy? - Calvados is a variety of brandy produced in Normandy, France. It's made from apples, and sometimes from a combination of apples and pears.
- Do I really need to use Calvados apple brandy to make Apple Cider Mimosas, or can I just use any kind of regular brandy? - We do recommend using Calvados apple brandy when making Apple Cider Mimosa, rather than substituting regular brandy. Calvados brings wonderful undertones of flavor to the Apple Mimosas that regular brandy just does not.
- Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider to make Apple Mimosas? - Apple cider is a fresh, unfiltered, unsweetened beverage made from pressed apples. It has rich, bold apple flavor. Apple juice, on the other hand, is filtered, pasteurized, and contains added sugar. It's much thinner in consistency and has a much sweeter taste than apple cider. While you can use apple juice to make Apple Mimosas if you'd like, the flavor of the finished drink will greatly differ from one made with apple cider.
Check out these other super tasty fall cocktail recipes:
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Yield: 4 cocktails
Apple Cider Mimosas
Put a tasty fall twist on your favorite brunch cocktail and enjoy Apple Cider Mimosas. With a delicious mix of cider, cinnamon syrup, Calvados apple brandy, and sparkling wine, these bubbly little sippers are just loaded with fabulous fall flavor.
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 10 MinInactive time: 12 HourTotal time: 12 H & 25 M
Ingredients
For the Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 1/2 c. water
- 4 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
For the Cinnamon-Sugar Rims: (optional)
- 2 T. granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
For the Apple Cider Mimosas:
- 2 c. dry sparkling wine (such as Prosecco), chilled
- 1 c. apple cider
- 1/2 c. Calvados apple brandy
- 2 T. cinnamon simple syrup
- apple slices (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Cinnamon Simple Syrup:
- Place sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently.
- Cook and stir until sugar is fully dissolved, about 10 to 20 seconds.
- Remove from heat and add cinnamon sticks. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Pour into a container, cover, and chill for at least 12 hours (or up to 48 hours) to allow the cinnamon flavor to develop.
Prepare the Cinnamon-Sugar Rims: (optional)
- Place granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small plate or shallow dish; stir together until well combined.
- Wet the rim of each of 4 champagne flutes, all the way around, with water (or a bit of the prepared cinnamon simple syrup). Dip each rim into cinnamon sugar to coat.
- Set aside until ready to prepare the Apple Cider Mimosas. (Note, cinnamon-sugar rims can be prepared a day or two in advance. -- Once the rims are dry, lightly cover with plastic wrap.)
Prepare the Apple Cider Mimosas:
- Combine apple cider, Calvados brandy, and cinnamon simple syrup in a measuring cup or small pitcher that pours; stir to combine. Pour into 4 prepared champagne flutes, dividing the mixture evenly. Drop in an apple slice as garnish, if you'd like.
- Slowly add the chilled sparkling wine to each glass. Stir briefly.
- Serve immediately.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
- When preparing Apple Cider Mimosas, keep in mind the cinnamon simple syrup needs to be made the day before so its cinnamon flavor has time to develop.
- You will have leftover cinnamon simple syrup. Store it in the refrigerator to make more Apple Cider Mimosas, whip up a batch of Apple Sangria, stir it into coffee or tea, or drizzle it over fresh fruit.
- Calvados is a variety of brandy produced in France that's made from apples. It brings wonderful undertones of flavor to the Apple Mimosas. We do not recommend substituting regular brandy for the Calvados, as it just doesn't produce the same flavor elements that Calvados does.
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