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Kicking off the Thanksgiving cocktails with this Harvest Apple Ginger Spritz. Fresh apple juice combined with vodka, orange liquor, and lemon, along with a sweet honey, ginger, and sage syrup. Mix everything together to create a simple, but super delicious, pitcher style cocktail that will make entertaining this Thanksgiving stress free. When guests arrive, simply top each drink off with sparkling water to add a little fizz. Everyone will love this seasonal and festive cocktail!
Welcome to the first cocktail Saturday of November! Today marks the official start of the “holiday” drinks. I have a lineup of fun and festive cocktails that I’m very exited to share over the next couple of months. And today is just the start! If you have any cocktails you’d like to see this holiday season, leave me a comment (email or DM me on Instagram)!! I have many drinks already planned. But I always try to make room for a couple of last-minute inspirations…as those recipes often tend to end up as personal favorites!!
Alright, so this spritz. It’s deliciously good. Super simple. And pretty much perfect for Thanksgiving. Because it’s a pitcher drink, this means no mixing up of cocktail after cocktail. No, no, no, none of that.
One of my main goals this Thanksgiving is easy, breezy entertaining. Last Thanksgiving was spent back in Cleveland after my Nonnie’s passing. It wasn’t one of my greatest. Especially not being able to work out of my own kitchen. So I’m determined to make this year’s Thanksgiving beyond good. And that means planning make-ahead recipes, and some really dang good cocktails.
To make this spritz, start with the syrup. It’s mix of honey, ginger, and sage. It’s all things sweet and savory, and adds an extra special touch to this drink.
Once you have the syrup, mix that together with vodka, orange liquor, apple juice (be sure to use a good, high quality apple juice or cider), and lemon. Store the spritz in the fridge until ready to serve. I love letting the spritz sit in the fridge a few hours, or even overnight, to really let the ginger and sage flavor the entire drink.
Just before serving add the sparkling water, and done.
I love the zesty orange flavors with the sweet apple and hints of ginger and sage. It’s kind of fancy, just a little sweet, citrusy, and spiced up with ginger. Truly the ultimate fall cocktail that no one can turn down!
If you make this harvest apple ginger spritz please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Harvest Apple Spritz.
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 359 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 inch fresh ginger,
- 6 fresh sage leaves, plus more for serving
- 8 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces orange liquor
- 1 1/2 cups high quality apple juice or apple cider
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 4-6 cans (12 ounces) sparkling water
- orange zest and apple slices, for serving
Instructions
- 1. In a small pot, bring 1/2 cup water, the honey, and ginger, to a boil over high heat. Boil 5 minutes, add the sage, then remove from the heat. Let cool. Remove the sage and ginger, if desired.2. In a large pitcher, combine the sage, ginger syrup mix, vodka, orange liquor, apple juice, and lemon juice. Chill until ready to serve. 3. Add the sparkling water just before serving. Garnish each drink with an apple slice and orange zest, if desired.
Have you tried to make this a Mocktail? Curious if you’d make any adjustments as I’d love to adjust this one for guests to prefer a Mocktail.
Hi Jeanette,
You can just omit the alcohol and add more of the sparkling water and apple cider for a mock-tail. Cheers! xx
Hi!
This cocktail sounds amazing! Excited to try it this weekend at a Friendsgiving Night as I am in charge of the cocktails!
Question tho, I don’t want to assume: Do you use all of the syrup? It seems like a lot, but the instructions do not specify another amount other than the whole syrup recipe.
Thank you!
Hey Daniela,
Yes, you are going to use all of the syrup because this recipe is for 8 servings:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers! xx
Awesome! Making it right now!
Can’t wait to try!!!
Thank you!
The picture of the cooking of the Harvest Apple Spritz looks like 6 pieces of ginger yet the recipe calls for only 1. Why the discrepancy? Also could I add a sparkling wine, like champagne or Prosecco instead of water? This is my first attempt at your recipes. It sounds delicious!
Hi Lynn,
You can follow the recipe as written, I just made more of the syrup mix so I added additional ginger. I think adding sparkling wine to this in place of the water would make for A LOT of alcohol in this recipe that I probably wouldn’t recommend. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
This is one of the best Fall cocktails ever! I needed a pitcher style drink for my Halloween party last night and this was perfect— I had a sparkling apple beverage on hand for the topper and it was just amazing. All of my guests loved it! It was super easy to do and I had sage in my garden so it was quick and easy.
Hey Lucy,
Happy Sunday! 🎃 So glad to hear that this recipe was a hit, thanks a lot for making it and sharing your feedback! xx
Hi Tieghan!
I’m wondering if you have any suggestions on making this a Mocktail? Or if you have any other cocktails on your website you might think would be better converted to a mocktail? Thank you!
Hey Melissa,
Just skip the vodka and add some more sparkling water. I hope you love this recipe! Cheers! xx
What would you recommend as an alternative to vodka?
Hey Kelly,
Tequila would also be good here. I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Question, if wanting to make a “double batch”, does it make sense to just double the quantities?
Hey Ryan,
You bet! I hope you love the recipe, cheers! xTieghan
Loved this! Seeing how 2020 went, my 2021 NY resolution is learn to make cocktails (i.e. drink more) and this was my first attempt. It was light and refreshing and not too sweet. I think a pitcher of this would be great on the patio on a hot summer day.
Hey Justyna,
Thanks so much for trying the recipe, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
The taste was pleasant, but I’m wondering if I misinterpreted the instructions for sparkling water. We all felt like we were drinking a light apple soda????? I put in 48 oz of sparkling water, and am wondering if it was supposed to be 12oz total. Maybe my cider was too weak….not sure. Again, we all enjoyed it but were expecting more.
Hi Jeri! No, you were correct! I am sorry this did not turn out well for you.. Is there anything I can help with? xTieghan
This drink recipe sounds yummy. But your recipe states the apple juice before the cider so I assume that juice was your preference but in all the comments and replies “cider” was used. They are two very different things. Was wondering which one do YOU use when making this. Want to try this for Thanksgiving this year.
Hi Dawn! I personally prefer the cider, but I know many cannot find it so I give the option for apple juice as well! I hope you love this one! xTieghan
I can’t stop making your recipes even when I try to… I forced myself to google a sage ginger apple cider cocktail recipe instead of looking here first and guess where my google search took me lol. I love you and your recipes so much. Can’t wait to try this!
Yes!! So happy you have been loving my recipes, Kate! I hope you love this as well! Thank you! xTieghan
Focus on what you are doing and promote them to the best. Your article is great for promoting good information.
Thank you! xTieghan
Ginger spritz apples you concocted very tasty and attractive. I will learn this recipe from you.
I am glad you like this! Thanks! xTieghan