Apple cider and whiskey is one of fall's best combinations — the tartness of the apple, the warmth of the spices, the weight of the spirit. Here's the non-alcoholic version that captures all of it.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- 4 oz fresh apple cider (not apple juice — the cloudy, unfiltered kind)
- ½ oz lemon juice
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters (All the Bitter makes a great non-alcoholic version)
- Cinnamon stick and apple slice to garnish
- Ice or serve warm
How to Make It (Cold)
- Combine No. 86, apple cider, lemon juice, and bitters in a shaker with ice.
- Shake for 8 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a thin apple slice on the rim.
How to Make It (Warm)
- Warm the apple cider in a small saucepan with a cinnamon stick, 2 cloves, and a star anise for 5 minutes on low. Don't boil.
- Strain spices out. Add No. 86 and lemon juice to a mug.
- Pour the warm cider over. Stir once.
- Garnish with a fresh cinnamon stick.
Fresh Cider vs Apple Juice
Use fresh, unfiltered apple cider — the cloudy kind from the farmers market or the refrigerated section of the grocery store. It has tartness and depth that filtered apple juice doesn't. Apple juice is too sweet and too thin. The cider needs to hold up against No. 86's oak character.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this in a batch for a party?
Yes — it's one of the best batch cocktails there is. Combine No. 86 and apple cider in a large pitcher (6:1 cider to spirit ratio), add bitters and lemon juice, refrigerate. Serve over ice with cinnamon sticks. For a warm batch, keep the spiked cider in a slow cooker on low.
What spices work best?
Cinnamon is essential. Cloves add depth. Star anise adds a slightly licorice note that works well with No. 86's vanilla. Cardamom is unusual but excellent. All four together makes a mulled cider that's worth the extra step.
Does this work year-round?
Best in fall and winter when fresh cider is available. Cold in summer with lots of ice works too — it reads as more refreshing than warming.
Fall in a glass.
No. 86 and fresh apple cider — the seasonal ritual, without the alcohol.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.