Caramel Apple Mimosa: The Ultimate Fall Cocktail Recipe

Fall is the season of cozy sweaters and apple-flavored everything. If you are looking to elevate your autumn brunch, happy hour, or Thanksgiving celebration, you need a drink that captures the essence of the season in every single sip. This Caramel Apple Mimosa is the perfect simple drink for the season.

This fun twist on the classic brunch staple combines the tart, refreshing brightness of fresh apple cider with the bubbly effervescence of Prosecco. But the real fun addition? A homemade Werther’s Original infused vodka that brings a rich, buttery caramel note tying the whole cocktail together. Whether you are hosting a fall gathering or simply winding down on a crisp weekend afternoon, this drink is guaranteed to impress.

If you love apple cider cocktails try my Apple Cider Margarita or Apple Cinnamon Spritz

What Is Apple Cider?

Before you start mixing, it helps to understand the star non-alcoholic ingredient of this cocktail: apple cider. Unlike clear, filtered apple juice, which is pasteurized and heavily processed, traditional apple cider is raw, unfiltered, and unsweetened. It is made by pressing fresh apples into a pulpy, amber-colored liquid that retains a rich, tart, and deeply fruity flavor profile.

Because apple cider is naturally cloudy and packed with fine apple solids, it provides a fantastic texture and depth that regular juice just cannot match. When paired with dry sparkling wine like Prosecco, the natural acidity and sweetness of the cider cut through the bubbles, creating a perfectly balanced sip that isn’t overly cloying.

If you want to learn how to make your own apple cider at home, try my Slow Cooker Apple Cider

Ingredients and Tools You Will Need

Creating this decadent cocktail is surprisingly simple, requiring just a handful of ingredients and basic bar tools.

Equipment & Tools

• Champagne flutes: Essential for maintaining the carbonation of your Prosecco.
• Small plates: Used for holding your caramel sauce and cinnamon-sugar rimming mixture.
• Mason jar or glass container: For infusing the vodka with hard candies ahead of time.
• Jigger or measuring spoons: To ensure your cocktail ratios are accurate.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Werther’s infused vodka (See candy infusion recipe below)
• 1 oz chilled apple cider
• 3–4 oz chilled Prosecco or your favorite dry sparkling wine
• Caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) for the glass rim
• Cinnamon sugar (a 1:1 mix of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar) for the glass rim

Candy Infusion Instructions (Makes 8 servings)

To get that signature buttery flavor, you will need to prep your vodka ahead of time:

1. Combine 1 cup of vodka with 10–12 unwrapped Werther’s Original hard candies in a sealed glass jar.
2. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours, shaking occasionally until the candies are completely dissolved.
3. Store the finished infusion in your refrigerator until ready to use.

How to Rim Your Glass Like a Pro

Presentation is half the fun when it comes to craft cocktails. A decadent caramel and cinnamon-sugar rim not only looks stunning for photos, but it also adds a delicious burst of flavor with every single sip you take from the glass.

1. Prep your stations: Pour a thin, even layer of caramel sauce onto one small plate. On a separate small plate, mix equal parts granulated sugar and ground cinnamon to create your cinnamon-sugar blend.
2. Apply the caramel: Take your clean, dry champagne flute and gently invert it, pressing the rim directly into the caramel sauce. Give the glass a slight twist to ensure an even, sticky coating around the entire edge. Let any excess drip off for a few seconds so it doesn’t pool inside the glass.
3. Coat with cinnamon sugar: Immediately dip the caramel-coated rim into your cinnamon-sugar mixture, rotating the glass gently to coat it completely.
4. Set the rim: Set the glass aside for a moment to let the caramel firm up slightly while you gather your remaining cocktail ingredients.

Pro Tips for the Best Caramel Apple Mimosa

• Keep everything ice cold: Make sure your Prosecco and apple cider are thoroughly chilled in the refrigerator before mixing. Cold ingredients help preserve the carbonation in the sparkling wine so your drink stays fizzy longer.
• Choose the right bubbly: While Prosecco is traditional and adds a pleasant fruit-forward sweetness, you can also use a dry Cava or a Brut Champagne if you prefer a less sweet, crisper cocktail profile.
• Prep the infusion in advance: The Werther’s vodka takes up to 24 hours to fully dissolve. Be sure to plan ahead so your infused spirit is ready and chilled by the time your guests arrive.
• Control the sweetness: If your caramel sauce is exceptionally sweet, opt for a “Brut” or “Extra Brut” Prosecco to balance out the sugar levels in the finished cocktail.