Description
A crisp, spicy, and comforting fall cocktail featuring spiced apple cider, crisp lager, and a cinnamon sugar rim. This easy-to-make drink captures the essence of an Oktoberfest beer garden.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480ml) unfiltered apple cider
- 2 bottles (24oz total) cold Lager or Märzen beer
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2–3 cinnamon sticks
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 3–4 whole cloves
- 1 star anise pod (optional)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 lemon (cut into wedges)
- 2–3 thin apple slices for garnish
- 1 extra cinnamon stick for garnish
- Ice
Instructions
- Pour apple cider into a small saucepan. Add cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves, and star anise.
- Heat over medium-low until warm but not boiling. Simmer gently for 10 minutes to infuse spices.
- Remove from heat and strain the cider through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. Let cool to room temperature or chill in the fridge.
- Stir fresh lemon juice into the cooled spiced cider.
- Rub the rims of highball or Collins glasses with lemon wedges.
- Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon on a small plate. Dip the wet glass rims into the mixture to coat.
- Fill the rimmed glasses with ice.
- Pour the spiced apple cider base into the glasses, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Slowly top with cold lager or Märzen beer to minimize foam.
- Garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not boil the cider as it can make the flavor flat. Use cold beer for the best contrast. The rim can fall off if the glass isn’t wet enough with lemon juice. The spiced cider base can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in the fridge. Do not mix with beer until serving to keep it fizzy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 10
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: Oktoberfest, apple beer cocktail, fall drinks, cinnamon sugar rim, spiced cider, lager cocktail, easy cocktails, seasonal drinks