If you love sweet drinks or classic mimosas, you’ll want to try making a Caramel Apple Mimosa.
This fun recipe mixes bubbly champagne with apple cider and smooth caramel for a drink that tastes like fall in a glass.
Whenever I want a cocktail that feels special but is still easy to make, I turn to caramel apple mimosas.
The flavors remind me of caramel apples from the fair, but with a grown-up twist.
With just a few ingredients and simple steps, you can make this festive drink at home.
It’s a hit for brunch, parties, or even a cozy night in.
Caramel Apple Mimosa Cocktail Recipe
I love making Caramel Apple Mimosas for gatherings or a cozy night in.
This cocktail combines crisp apple cider, sparkling wine, and creamy caramel flavors for a sweet drink with a festive twist.
Equipment
- Champagne flutes (or any narrow glass)
- Small plates or shallow bowls (for rimming glasses)
- Bar spoon or small stir stick
- Jigger or measuring cup
- Paring knife (for slicing apples)
- Paper towels or napkins
- Optional: shaker (not required, but can help mix ingredients gently)
I find that using proper champagne flutes gives the bubbles room to rise.
The small plates help me easily dip and coat the rim with caramel sauce and cinnamon sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 bottle sparkling wine (champagne, prosecco, or any dry sparkling white wine)
- 1 cup apple cider (regular or spiced works)
- 1–2 tablespoons caramel sauce or caramel syrup (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 oz caramel vodka (optional, for extra caramel flavor)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (for rimming the glass)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for rimming the glass)
- 1 apple (sliced for garnish)
- Ice (optional, if you prefer your drink extra cold)
I like to keep ingredients chilled before making the drink, as it helps the mimosa stay crisp.
Using a good-quality caramel sauce adds richer taste.
Instructions
- Pour a thin layer of caramel sauce onto a small plate.
- Mix sugar and ground cinnamon together on a separate plate.
- Dip the rim of each champagne flute first in the caramel sauce, then in the cinnamon sugar to coat.
- Add 2–3 apple slices to the glass for a fun garnish.
- Pour 1–2 tablespoons of apple cider into each flute.
- Add 1 oz caramel vodka if using.
- Slowly top with sparkling wine, pouring down the side of the glass to preserve bubbles.
- Drizzle a little more caramel sauce on top if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
It’s important to pour the sparkling wine slowly to prevent overflow.
I make sure the flutes aren’t overfilled, so the garnish fits without spilling.
Notes
If I don’t have caramel vodka, I skip it or substitute with regular vodka for less sweetness.
This recipe works with either regular or spiced apple cider.
For a lighter drink, I sometimes use just half the amount of sparkling wine and add extra apple cider.
I use chilled glasses to keep the drink cool longer.
The cinnamon sugar rim complements the tart apple and caramel flavors.
When I want extra garnish, I thread apple slices onto cocktail picks.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bottle sparkling wine champagne, prosecco, or any dry sparkling wine
- 1 cup apple cider regular or spiced
- 6 oz caramel vodka optional – 1 oz per glass
- 2 tbsp caramel sauce or caramel syrup plus extra for rimming
- 2 tbsp sugar for rimming
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon for rimming
- 1 apple thinly sliced, for garnish
- Ice cubes optional, if preferred chilled
Instructions
- Pour a thin layer of caramel sauce onto a small plate.
- On a second plate, mix together the sugar and cinnamon.
- Dip the rim of each champagne flute into the caramel sauce, then into the cinnamon sugar to coat.
- Add 2–3 apple slices into each prepared glass.
- Pour 1–2 tablespoons (approx. 1 oz) of apple cider into each flute.
- Add 1 oz caramel vodka per glass if using.
- Slowly top each glass with sparkling wine, pouring down the side to avoid excess foam.
- Drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top for garnish if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Tasting Notes
The first thing I notice with the Caramel Apple Mimosa is how crisp it smells.
The aroma is sweet, with hints of caramel and fresh apple.
When I take a sip, the bubbly texture is the star.
The sparkling wine adds a gentle fizziness that dances on my tongue. It is very refreshing.
The flavor is a blend of tart apple and smooth caramel.
The apple cider brings some tang, while the caramel is soft and sweet.
Here’s a quick look at the flavors I taste:
| Flavor | Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | Medium-High | Tart, crisp |
| Caramel | Medium | Sweet, buttery |
| Bubbly | High | Light, refreshing |
| Wine/Champagne | Medium | Slightly dry, bright |
I love how the drink feels both sweet and light.
The finish is smooth, with a soft caramel aftertaste that stays for a bit.
If you like a sweeter taste, add more caramel.
For a tarter drink, use a little extra apple cider.
The bubbles in this cocktail keep every sip lively and make it easy to enjoy.
Must Have Ingredients
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|
Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
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Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
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Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
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Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
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Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
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WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
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Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
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Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
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Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
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1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
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Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
|
Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Substitute
Sometimes I just don’t have everything I need at home. Here are some easy substitutes I like to use:
- Apple Juice: If I run out of apple cider, I use apple juice instead. It’s a little lighter, but still brings a nice apple flavor.
- Sparkling Water: If I want less sugar or no alcohol, I swap champagne for sparkling water or club soda.
- Caramel Syrup: If caramel sauce is missing, I just grab caramel coffee syrup. It mixes well and gives a similar sweet taste.
- Pear Juice: For a twist, I’ve used pear juice in place of apple juice. Totally changes the flavor, but still keeps the drink fresh and fruity.
| Original Ingredient | Substitute Option |
|---|---|
| Apple cider | Apple juice, pear juice |
| Champagne | Sparkling water, club soda |
| Caramel sauce | Caramel syrup |
Instructions:
- Mix any of these substitute ingredients as you would the originals.
- Taste after every change—see what fits your style best.
- Add ice if you want it extra cold.


























