I promise my Fall Apple Cider Cocktail is going to be your favourite new autumn drink! Is there anything better than coming home after a long autumn day, gazing outside at the multicoloured leaves, and mixing yourself a delicious seasonal drink? Folks, it’s time to meet the grown-up version of everyone’s favourite fall beverage, apple cider! This apple cider cocktail is a healthful knockout because it contains ginger kombucha (hello happy gut bacteria), cinnamon, and lemon for some kick. If you’re feeling bold you can even add bourbon and have yourself a seasonal happy hour. Get the recipe and more health benefits of this yummy Fall Apple Cider Cocktail below.

Must Make Apple Recipes Cooking Class

Can’t get enough of these delicious, crunchy, scrumptious fall fruits? Join me for my Must Make Apple Recipes Cooking Class, I’ll be teaching you step by step how to make my Pecan Apple Crisp to satisfy any autumn sweet tooth. This cooking class is also a little different because you’ll get to choose your second recipe. Pick either savoury and sensible, or sweet and sumptuous. We’ll be making either my Cranberry-Apple Kale Slaw to help you meet your daily dose of greens, OR this Apple Cider Cocktail/Mocktail – because who doesn’t love happy hour! Either way, you choose, you’ll be reaping the benefits of these delectable and nutritious fall fruit!

Learn more about my fall programming here and email info@jesselanewellness.com to book a team-building event for your team.

Fall Apple Cider Cocktail Recipe

gluten-free & vegan

Prep time: 5 minutes | Serving size: 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz apple cider
• 2 oz bourbon *optional
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 4 ice cubes
• 2 oz ginger kombucha
• Cinnamon stick, cinnamon sugar & apple slices to garnish

Directions

1. Place apple cider, bourbon (if using), lemon juice and cinnamon in a cocktail shaker or mason jar with a lid. Shake for 10 seconds.
2. For fancy presentation, run lemon along the edge of a lowball glass. Dip into a bowl with cinnamon sugar.
3. Pour the glass with or without ice, top with kombucha, a sprinkle of cinnamon and garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

NOTE: If you prefer sweeter cocktails, add maple syrup to taste. If you can’t find ginger kombucha, ginger ale or ginger beer work as well.

Health Benefits of Kombucha

Kombucha is a fantastic and healthy substitute for pop or other sugar-laden drinks. It has a multitude of health benefits, it is:

• Rich in probiotics – the good bacteria that populate the gut. Probiotics aid in digestion, fight bad bacteria and facilitate the absorption of nutrients
• Full of active enzymes that help with digestion and reduce constipation
• High in B vitamins that provide a vibrant energy boost
• Alkalinizing, which means it raises the body’s pH making you more resistant to disease
• Metabolism-boosting and charged with antioxidants
• Detoxifying and liver cleansing

Kombucha is made through the fermentation of sugar so it does contain a little alcohol, usually less than 1%.

How Probiotics Boost Energy Levels

Probiotics manufacture energy-boosting B vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, and folic acid. B vitamins work best when they are a team but they each have their own specialities.

• Vitamin B1 has a key role in the cellular production of energy as part of the glucose metabolism process. It also helps convert carbohydrates to fat which can be stored until the body is ready to turn it into energy.
• Vitamin B2 is a building block for two coenzymes that are important for energy production. The coenzymes help carry hydrogen which is used in the production of ATP when carbohydrates and fats are metabolized.
• Vitamin B3, aka niacin, acts as part of two coenzymes that play a key role in glycolysis which is the process of creating energy from carbohydrates and sugar.
• Pantothenic acid (B5) acts as a coenzyme that is important in the cellular metabolism of carbohydrates and fats to create energy.
• Vitamin B6 facilitates the release of glycogen (stored glucose) from the liver and muscles so it can be transformed into usable energy for the body.
• Folic aids red blood cell production and helps in the breakdown and utilization of protein.

Make Your Own Kombucha

Making delicious homemade kombucha is super easy, nutritious and saves you a ton of money! I was intimidated by the kombucha-making process but everything changed when my fantastic friend showed me how quick and easy it is to make. Now I’m totally hooked on this incredible fizzy and sour drink! Learn to make your own step-by-step here.

Health Benefits Cinnamon

There are two different types of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon and cassia cinnamon. The cinnamon we buy at grocery stores is usually the cassia variety. Cassia cinnamon can have a blood thinning effect and a mildly toxic effect on the liver and kidneys when consumed in excess. Ideally, you want to buy Ceylon cinnamon, especially if you consume a ton of cinnamon.

Both types of cinnamon offer health benefits:

• Ceylon cinnamon has a blood sugar balancing effect because it improves insulin sensitivity, which means your pancreas can produce less insulin to get sugar into your cells.
• Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde which is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
• It displays antimicrobial ability to stop the growth of bacteria and fungus.
• Cinnamon has a protective effect against cancer by reducing the growth of cancer cells.

More Delicious Drink Recipes like this Fall Apple Cider Cocktail

Gingerbread Orange Hot Toddy Cocktail

This easy cocktail recipe is another one you’ll want to have on hand this fall! Its spicy flavours are just what you need to warm you up! Cinnamon takes the spotlight once again here (can you tell I love cinnamon cocktails). This yummy and healthy Hot Toddy also contains fresh orange juice for a kick of vitamin C, calcium-rich black strap molasses, ginger, and if you’re feeling an authentic Hot Toddy, whisky! Say hello to a season of healthy Hot Toddies!

Cranberry Apple Detox Juice

Trying to kick coffee? Look no further than my Cranberry Apple Detox Juice! This juice is the perfect way to start your fall mornings! This juice is packed with fruits and veggies for a low-sugar, high-energy drink! The stars of this drink are apples, cranberries, romaine lettuce, celery, lemon, and ginger! Top it off with some fizzy water for a yummy cocktail too!

 

Mojito Ice Tea

Did someone say healthy Mojitos? Did you know that the average mojito has around 26 grams of sugar in it? My mojitos are sweetened with stevia so they’re sugar-free! They also contain fresh limes for a boost of vitamin C and TONS of – you guessed it – mint! If you’re looking for a healthy spin on everyone’s favourite cocktail, I’ve got you covered!

Healthy Paloma Cocktail Recipe with Real Food Ingredients

If you’re still holding on to that summer sunshine my Healthy Paloma Cocktail is just what you need! I LOVE grapefruits so Palomas are one of my favourite cocktails. So I ditched the artificial sweeteners and sodas, and I created this Healthy Paloma Cocktail recipe using real food ingredients like grapefruit, lime, sparkling water, maple syrup and of course tequila. If tequila isn’t your jam or you are pregnant, leave it out.