This Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail is the perfect festive drink to celebrate the season! It combines the warm, comforting flavors of apple cider with a touch of vanilla, a hint of caramel, and a bubbly finish from champagne or prosecco. I love how this cocktail is both elegant and easy to make, and it's sure to impress your guests. It's a perfect way to toast to the holidays and enjoy the flavors of fall.
Why You'll Love This Thanksgiving Cocktail
- Festive Flavors: The combination of apple cider, vanilla, caramel, and sparkling wine is perfect for Thanksgiving and the fall season.
- Easy to Make: This cocktail uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly.
- Elegant Presentation: The sugared rim and apple garnish make this cocktail look as good as it tastes.
- Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness and the amount of alcohol to your liking.
Ingredients for Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail
Here's what you'll need to make this festive cocktail. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
- Water (Liquid)
- Maple sugar (Sweetener)
- Vanilla bean (Flavoring)
Cocktail
- Apple cider (Juice)
- Lemon juice (Acid)
- Gluten-free vodka (potato or grape, such as Ciroc) (Liquor)
- Ice (Ice)
- Champagne or prosecco, chilled (Sparkling Wine)
Garnishes
- Apple cider caramel (optional) (Garnish) See original recipe for link
- Maple sugar (Sweetener)
- Cinnamon (Spice)
- Diced apple, for skewers (Fruit)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Alcohol: Use rum, bourbon, or brandy instead of vodka.
- Make it a Mocktail: Omit the vodka and use sparkling apple cider instead of champagne or prosecco.
- Add Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice to the simple syrup.
- Different Garnish: Use a cinnamon stick, a star anise, or an orange slice for garnish instead of apple skewers.
How to Make Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail:
Make the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup
- First, I make the simple syrup. I place the water and maple sugar in a saucepan.
- Then, I cut the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the back of a knife.
- I place the seeds and the vanilla bean in the simple syrup, whisk together, then let it cook on low for about 5 minutes, until the maple sugar has dissolved.
- I remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Prepare Glasses
- I dip the rim of each martini glass into caramel, then into maple sugar mixed with cinnamon until the rims are completely covered.
Combine Ingredients
- I place the apple cider, lemon juice, vodka, ice, and ¼ cup of the simple syrup (or more if I prefer it sweeter) in a shaker bottle and shake to combine.
- Then, I add in the champagne and stir with a spoon to keep from bubbling over.
Strain and Serve
- Strain and Serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Cocktail
Here are my secrets for making this cocktail truly exceptional:
- Use Good Quality Apple Cider: The flavor of the apple cider will really shine through, so use a good quality one.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Chill the Ingredients: Make sure the apple cider, champagne/prosecco, and vodka are well-chilled before making the cocktail.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste the cocktail and adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more simple syrup.
- Don't Over-Shake: Shake the cocktail just until it's well-chilled. Over-shaking can dilute the drink.
How to Serve
This Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail is perfect for:
- Thanksgiving Dinner: A festive and delicious cocktail to serve with your Thanksgiving meal.
- Holiday Parties: A great addition to any holiday gathering.
- Fall Celebrations: Perfect for any fall occasion.
- Brunch: A fun and flavorful brunch cocktail.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can make the vanilla bean simple syrup ahead of time and store it in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The cocktail itself is best made just before serving.
FAQs about Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail
- Can I use a different type of alcohol?
- Yes, you can use rum, bourbon, or brandy instead of vodka.
- Can I make this without the alcohol?
- Yes, you can omit the vodka and use sparkling apple cider instead of champagne or prosecco for a non-alcoholic version.
- Can I use store-bought caramel?
- Yes you can
Enjoy this festive, flavorful, and easy-to-make Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail! It's a perfect way to celebrate the holidays.
Print
Thanksgiving Vanilla Bean Caramel Apple Cider Sparkling Cocktail
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Holiday, Thanksgiving
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Thanksgiving cocktail combines the warm flavors of apple cider and vanilla with a touch of sparkle from champagne or prosecco. A homemade vanilla bean simple syrup adds depth, and an optional apple cider caramel rim with maple sugar and cinnamon makes it extra special.
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup maple sugar (see notes)
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
For the Cocktail (per serving):
- 2 cups apple cider (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) gluten-free vodka (potato or grape-based, such as Ciroc)
- ⅓ cup ice cubes
- ½ cup chilled champagne or prosecco
For the Garnishes (Optional):
- Apple cider caramel (see notes for recipe link - you would insert your own internal link here)
- ¼ cup maple sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup diced apple, for skewers (see notes)
Instructions
Make the Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup:
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the water and maple sugar.
- Add Vanilla: Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the back of a knife. Add both the seeds and the pod to the saucepan.
- Simmer: Whisk the mixture together. Bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the maple sugar is completely dissolved (about 5 minutes).
- Cool: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely. Remove the vanilla bean pod before storing or using.
2. Prepare Garnishes (Optional):
- Caramel Rim: If using, prepare the apple cider caramel according to the recipe (linked in the original post - you would insert your own internal link here). Let it cool slightly.
- Cinnamon Sugar: In a small, shallow dish, combine the ¼ cup maple sugar and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
- Rim Glasses: Dip the rim of each martini glass (or other cocktail glass) into the slightly cooled caramel, then dip it into the cinnamon-maple sugar mixture, coating the rim evenly.
- Apple Skewers: Dice apple. Prepare skewers
3. Make the Cocktail (Per Serving):
- Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the apple cider, lemon juice, vodka, ice cubes, and ¼ cup of the cooled vanilla bean simple syrup. Adjust the amount of simple syrup to your preference; add more for a sweeter cocktail.
- Shake: Close the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, or until well-chilled.
- Add Champagne:** Carefully add the chilled champagne or prosecco to the shaker. Do not shake vigorously after adding the champagne. Gently stir with a spoon to combine, being careful not to over-stir and cause the champagne to lose its bubbles.
- Strain: Strain the cocktail into the prepared, sugared-rimmed martini glass (or other cocktail glass), leaving the ice behind.
4. Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish with the apple skewers. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Maple Sugar: Maple sugar adds a unique maple flavor to the simple syrup and the rim. If you can't find maple sugar, you can substitute granulated sugar, but the flavor will be slightly different.
- Vanilla Bean: Using a whole vanilla bean infuses the simple syrup with a rich vanilla flavor. You can substitute 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, but the flavor will be less intense.
- Apple Cider: Use a good-quality apple cider, preferably one that is only apples and spices. Avoid ciders with added sugar or artificial flavors.
- Vodka: Use a gluten-free vodka, such as potato or grape-based vodka (like Ciroc), if needed.
- Champagne/Prosecco: Use a dry (brut) or extra-dry champagne or prosecco.
- Apple Cider Caramel: The apple cider caramel rim is optional but adds a delicious and festive touch. The original recipe provides a link to a separate recipe, which you would replace with an internal link to your own caramel recipe.
- Apple Skewers: For the apple skewers, use a firm apple variety that won't brown quickly, such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith. Toss the diced apple with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Simple Syrup Storage: Leftover vanilla bean simple syrup can be stored in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It's delicious in cocktails, coffee, or tea.
- Serving Suggestion: Enjoy!
