Sometimes you want a drink that feels a little special without being complicated—or loaded with added sugar. This Apple Cider Fizz is one of those wonderfully simple recipes.

We start by gently warming unsweetened apple cider with cinnamon and cloves, which gives the cider that cozy, spiced flavor we associate with fall. Then we lighten it up with sparkling mineral water and finish it with a fresh orange slice.

The result is crisp, bubbly, and just sweet enough from the cider itself. Serve it over ice for a refreshing fall mocktail, or skip the ice and enjoy the spiced cider warm with a splash of sparkling water just before serving.

***All of my recipes are gluten-free, dairy-free, blood sugar-friendly, and gut-supportive. We are all different so you may need to make adjustments based on your body’s unique needs.***

❤️Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients: You only need apple cider, whole spices, sparkling mineral water, and an orange.
• Naturally alcohol-free: It feels festive without needing alcohol.
• No added sweetener needed: Apple cider provides plenty of natural sweetness on its own.
• Easy to customize: Adjust the amount of sparkling water depending on how sweet or light you prefer your drink.
• Beautiful for entertaining: An orange slice and cinnamon stick make an effortless garnish.
• Works warm or chilled: Enjoy it over ice or turn it into a cozy fall drink.

🌿Why Your Body Loves This Recipe

• Sparkling mineral water keeps it refreshing: Using mineral water as part of the drink adds plenty of bubbly hydration while diluting the naturally occurring sugars in the cider.
• Cinnamon brings big flavor without added sugar: Warming spices make the drink taste special without needing syrups or sweeteners.
• Cloves add another plant-based spice: A couple of whole cloves contribute their distinctive warm flavor and naturally occurring plant compounds.
• Orange adds freshness: A fresh orange garnish adds aroma, color, and a little citrus flavor.
• The cider portion stays modest: Using ½ cup of cider and topping the glass with sparkling mineral water creates a lighter drink than drinking a full glass of cider.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsweetened apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• Sparkling mineral water, to taste
• 1 orange slice, for garnish
• Ice, optional

Optional:

• 1 whole star anise, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Infuse the cider. Add the apple cider, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves to a small saucepan. Warm gently over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Avoid bringing it to a hard boil.
2. Strain. Remove the saucepan from the heat and strain out the cinnamon stick and cloves.
3. Prepare your glass. For a chilled Apple Cider Fizz, fill a glass with ice and pour in the spiced cider. For a warmer version, skip the ice and use a heat-safe glass or mug.
4. Add the fizz. Top with sparkling mineral water to taste. Start with about ½ cup and add more if you’d like a lighter drink.
5. Garnish and serve. Add a fresh orange slice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or star anise if desired, and enjoy immediately while it’s bubbly.

Recipe Notes:

1. Choose unsweetened cider: Look for apple cider without added sugar. Apples naturally contain sugar, so “unsweetened” doesn’t mean sugar-free—it simply means no additional sweetener has been added.
2. Adjust the cider-to-water ratio: If you prefer a lighter, less-sweet drink, simply add more sparkling mineral water. This is an easy way to customize the fizz to your taste.
3. Make it ahead: Infuse a larger batch of cider with the cinnamon and cloves, strain, cool, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve, pour individual portions and add the sparkling mineral water at the last minute.
4. Keep those bubbles bubbly: Don’t add the sparkling water until you’re ready to drink. Adding it ahead of time will leave you with a much flatter fizz.
5. Serving it warm: Sparkling water loses carbonation more quickly when heated, so warm only the spiced cider. Add room-temperature sparkling mineral water just before serving, or enjoy the spiced cider on its own as a warm alternative.
6. Blood sugar note: Apple cider contains naturally occurring sugars even when no sugar has been added. Using a modest portion and diluting it with sparkling mineral water reduces the amount of cider per glass, but individual glucose responses can vary.
7. Make it party-ready: Orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and whole star anise make beautiful garnishes for a holiday or fall gathering. Star anise is especially pretty, but remove whole spices before drinking and don’t eat them.