Thanksgiving Mocktail

Name: Thanksgiving Mocktail
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 Batch Maple Simple Syrup; 4 Cups Apple Cider; 3 Cinnamon Sticks; 1 2" Piece Fresh Ginger (peeled); 1/2 Teaspoon Whole Cloves; 2 Star Anise (optional); 2 Black Tea Bags; 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice; 1/4 Cup Cinnamon (on a flat plate); Water (in a shallow bowl); 4 Cinnamon Sticks; 1 Medium Apple (sliced)

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This Thanksgiving Mocktail is an easy fall drink, with apple, cinnamon, and a slight bite to mimic alcohol. Make it for all your holiday gatherings!

Several glasses of Thanksgiving mocktail on a table with a vase of flowers.

I'm a little obsessed with holiday mocktails. I don't really drink these days, but that doesn't stop me from wanting a cozy fall/winter beverage in my hands. All the delightful fall spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves are so enticing. And I know I can still have a delicious drink, without any of the alcohol.

Feel free to whip out this mocktail at Thanksgiving, for all the fall vibes. Or really any holiday gathering. (Or even at home by yourself - I won't judge!)

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Why this recipe works
Why I love this Thanksgiving Mocktail
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Step-By-Step Instructions
FAQ & Expert Tips
Recipe Prayer
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A glass of Thanksgiving mocktail, garnished with cinnamon sticks.

Why this recipe works

The key to a mocktail that tastes like a cocktail is to replace the bite or acidity that alcohol adds to a cocktail.

In this mocktail I use black tea. Like in my Old Fashioned Mocktail recipe, black tea mimics the slight bite of whiskey.

I also use ginger and lemon juice for a bit more acid and bright flavor.

Two glasses of Thanksgiving mocktail, garnished with cinnamon sticks and apple slices.

Why I love this Thanksgiving Mocktail

No Alcohol - of course! It's a mocktail, so there's no alcohol at all. If you want to add alcohol I give the quantity and type of liquor below
Dietary needs - besides being alcohol-free this mocktail is plant-based, oil-free, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free
It's naturally sweetened! - apple cider and maple syrup are less-processed than other sugars.
Quick and easy - it only takes 15 minutes to whip up
Great for kids and adults - the kids can have fun feeling like an adult and the adults can enjoy a cocktail without the effects of alcohol
Fall flavors - enjoy all the classic flavors of fall, like apples and cinnamon

A glass of Thanksgiving mocktail, viewed from the top to see the apple slice garnish.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Maple Simple Syrup: my Maple Simple Syrup recipe is SO easy. It's just like a regular simple syrup - a 1:1 ratio of maple syrup to water
Apple Cider: most apple ciders are just made from apples - double check to make sure the brand you buy doesn't have added sugar
Cinnamon Sticks: these add so much warm flavor to the drink. Cinnamon sticks are quite easy to find in the spice aisle
Ginger: fresh ginger is necessary here - you don't want to end up with a gritty drink. The easiest way to peel ginger is to use a spoon to scrape off the outer layer.
Whole Cloves: these are very easy to find in the spice aisle.
Star Anise: star anise isn't as easy to find in the store, but can be ordered online. It has a lovely sweet, almost licorice-like taste
Black Tea Bags: instead of whiskey, these mocktails use tea as the base. Tea is rather neutral but still has a bit of a bite, to mimic the whiskey flavor. You can look for a decaf tea bag, to avoid caffeine in the evening.
Lemon Juice: lemon juice also helps to bring some brightness to the mocktail. Fresh lemon juice is ideal

For the rim & garnish (optional)

Cinnamon: you can also use cinnamon sugar
Water
Cinnamon Sticks
Apple

Thanksgiving Mocktail Garnish ingredients

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1. In a medium pot, add the maple simple syrup, cider, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cloves, and star anise. Cook on medium-low for 5 minutes, until warm.

Thanksgiving Mocktail Step 1 - heat the cider and spices.

Step 2. Turn off the heat and add the tea bags. Let sit 5 minutes.

Thanksgiving Mocktail Step 2 - add the tea.

Step 3. Stir in the lemon juice.

Thanksgiving Mocktail Step 3 - add the lemon juice.

Step 4. If desired, rim the glasses. Dip each glass in water, then immediately transfer to a plate of cinnamon. Coat liberally.

Thanksgiving Mocktail Step 4 - rim the glass.

Step 5. Strain the mocktail mixture into the glass. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and apple slices.

Thanksgiving Mocktail Step 5 - strain into glasses and garnish with apple slices.

FAQ & Expert Tips

Add Alcohol

By the glass: add a shot of bourbon or rye to your glass.
Whole batch: add four shots of bourbon or rye in step 2.

Storage

Store leftovers in a mason jar in the fridge for up to a week.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, place back in a pot on the stove and cook over medium heat until warm.

Feed a crowd

Feel free to double or triple this recipe. (The slider bar in the recipe card allows you to adjust the serving size to however many you need!)

A glass of thanksgiving mocktail, rimmed with cinnamon.

Recipe Prayer

Thank you God for this mocktail. Thank you for alcohol-free drinks that we can enjoy this holiday season. Amen.

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