This caramel apple cider cocktail is the perfect drink for fall: chilled apple cider over crushed ice, blended with salted caramel vodka and finished with ginger ale. Refreshing, cozy, and absolutely delicious.
New fall cocktail alert!
This is one of those cocktails that doesn’t really taste like a typical cocktail — and that’s what makes it so easy to sip.
Full disclosure: the salted caramel vodka blends into the drink so well you hardly notice it. The result is a fizzy, sweet apple cider that feels like a dessert in a glass. I’m reaching for this over and over this season, especially piled with crushed ice.
This recipe came from a reader tip — thank you, Beth! She mentioned an apple cider crush she loved that combined apple cider, salted caramel vodka (or caramel vodka), and a lemon-lime soda or Sprite, sometimes with Crown Royal, though she often skips the whiskey at home. I adapted that idea and it’s a winner.
“You loved orange crushes when you came to Delaware. One of our local restaurants does seasonal crushes and the fall one is an apple cider crush!! A-mazing…. Apple cider, apple Crown Royal, salted caramel vodka (or caramel vodka), and Sprite. At home, we ended up skipping the Crown Royal, still amazing.”
Big thanks to Beth for the inspiration!
I was so excited to try this that I ran out to buy ingredients right away. It felt instantly autumnal and comforting. If you’ve ever made a honeycrisp crush before, this cider-based crush really elevates those cozy fall flavors.
If you’re an apple cider fan, you’ll love how bright and seasonally spiced this cocktail tastes. It’s great for Halloween gatherings, fall parties, or a simple weekend treat.
What you need and why it works
Apple cider. Use a fresh, chilled apple cider from a local farm or store-bought — it’s the base and main flavor, so pick one you enjoy.
Salted caramel vodka. Flavored vodka isn’t always my go-to, but the salted caramel versions (Stolichnaya or Smirnoff make nice options) add a dessert-like richness without being cloying.
Ginger ale or seasonal seltzer. Ginger ale adds warmth and sweetness that pairs perfectly with cider. If you prefer more bite, use ginger beer. A seasonal seltzer — for example an apple-flavored seltzer — works well too and keeps the drink less sweet while adding fizz.
Optional touches: rim the glass with cinnamon sugar for a sweet-spicy edge and garnish with fresh apple slices. Both look and taste delightful.
For parties, this is easy to multiply. Pre-mix the cider and vodka in a pitcher and keep cold. When serving, pour into glasses filled with crushed ice and top with ginger ale or seltzer so each glass stays fizzy.
Cheers to fall cocktails!
Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail
Caramel Apple Cider Crush
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Ingredients
- 4 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounce salted caramel vodka
- 2 ounces ginger ale, (or seasonal seltzer flavor, like apple)
- cinnamon sugar for the rim, optional
- apple slices for garnish
Instructions
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If you like, rim a glass with a citrus wedge (lemon or orange works well) and dip the rim into cinnamon sugar. You can rim a small section for a subtle touch.
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Fill a glass with crushed ice. Add apple cider and salted caramel vodka, stirring gently to combine. Top with ginger ale or your chosen seltzer, taste, and add more if you want extra fizz. Garnish with apple slices and serve.
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Optional: drizzle a little caramel over the top if you’re feeling indulgent.