Clean Slate Recipe
Mocktails: Apple Cider I Lemon I Turbinado Simple I Pinch of Cinnamon
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Ingredients
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Apple Cider Base
Sparkle & Finish
Method
Apple Cider Base
- 1
Warm and dissolve
Combine 2 cups fresh apple cider, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons turbinado sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat just until steaming (do not boil) while stirring to dissolve the sugar, about 2–3 minutes.
- 2
Add cinnamon
Remove the pan from heat and stir in a pinch of ground cinnamon. Taste and adjust — add an extra 1/4 teaspoon turbinado if you prefer sweeter, or another small pinch of cinnamon for more spice.
- 3
Chill slightly
Let the warmed cider mixture cool to warm/room temperature, about 10 minutes, or transfer to the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes until cool but not fully cold. (Cooling prevents fizz loss when combined with sparkling water.)
Sparkle & Finish
- 4
Fill a highball or Collins glass with 1 cup ice.
- 5
Pour about 3/4 cup of the cooled apple cider base into the prepared glass, leaving room for sparkling water. (Reserve any extra cider for a second drink or to taste.)
- 6
Top gently with 1/4–1/3 cup chilled club soda or sparkling water to reach about 1 cup total liquid in the glass. Stir once gently with a bar spoon to combine without flattening the bubbles.
- 7
Garnish & serve
Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim and a thin apple slice floated on top. Serve immediately while fizzy.