Rosemary Apple Cider Gin Cocktail – Crisp, Herbal, and Perfect for Any Season

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This Rosemary Apple Cider Gin Cocktail is the kind of drink that makes an ordinary evening feel special. It blends bright, botanical gin with cozy apple cider and a whisper of rosemary for a balance that’s both fresh and warming. It’s simple enough for a weeknight, but polished enough for a dinner party.

Think fall flavors without being heavy, and a clean finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.

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Rosemary Apple Cider Gin Cocktail - Crisp, Herbal, and Perfect for Any Season

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2 servings

Ingredients

• Gin (2 ounces): A classic London dry or a citrus-forward gin works best.
• Apple cider (3 ounces): Choose high-quality, unfiltered cider for fuller flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice (1/2 ounce): Adds brightness and acidity.
• Rosemary simple syrup (1/2 to 3/4 ounce): Sweetness plus herbal depth; adjust to taste.
• Club soda (1–2 ounces): Optional, for a lighter finish.
• Ice: Cubes for shaking and serving.
• Garnish: Fresh rosemary sprig and a thin apple slice or lemon wheel.
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2–3 fresh rosemary sprigs

Instructions

• Make the rosemary syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Add rosemary sprigs, turn off the heat, and let steep for 15–20 minutes. Strain and cool. Tip: The longer it steeps, the stronger the rosemary flavor.
• Chill your glass: Fill a rocks or coupe glass with ice water to chill while you mix the drink. Cold glassware makes a noticeable difference.
• Add ingredients to a shaker: In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, apple cider, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup.
• Shake with ice: Add ice and shake for about 12–15 seconds. You want it well-chilled and slightly diluted.
• Prep the glass: Dump the ice water and add fresh ice to a rocks glass, or strain into a chilled coupe for an up-style serve.
• Strain: Double strain (using a fine mesh strainer) into your glass to keep out pulp and ice shards for a smoother sip.
• Top with fizz (optional): Add 1–2 ounces of club soda for a lighter, spritz-like version.
• Garnish: Smack a rosemary sprig between your hands to release the oils and rest it on the rim. Add a thin apple slice or lemon wheel for aroma and color.
• Taste and adjust: If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more syrup. If you want more brightness, squeeze in a few extra drops of lemon.

Why This Recipe Works

This cocktail leans on a few well-chosen ingredients that play nicely together. Gin brings crisp juniper notes and citrusy botanicals, which cut through the sweetness of apple cider. A rosemary simple syrup doesn’t just add sugar—it adds a savory, piney lift that makes the drink feel grown-up.

Fresh lemon brightens everything, and a light fizz of club soda keeps it refreshing. The result is balanced: not too sweet, not too tart, and layered with aroma.

What You’ll Need

• Gin (2 ounces): A classic London dry or a citrus-forward gin works best.
• Apple cider (3 ounces): Choose high-quality, unfiltered cider for fuller flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice (1/2 ounce): Adds brightness and acidity.
• Rosemary simple syrup (1/2 to 3/4 ounce): Sweetness plus herbal depth; adjust to taste.
• Club soda (1–2 ounces): Optional, for a lighter finish.
• Ice: Cubes for shaking and serving.
• Garnish: Fresh rosemary sprig and a thin apple slice or lemon wheel.

For the Rosemary Simple Syrup

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2–3 fresh rosemary sprigs

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the rosemary syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.

   Add rosemary sprigs, turn off the heat, and let steep for 15–20 minutes. Strain and cool. Tip: The longer it steeps, the stronger the rosemary flavor.

2. Chill your glass: Fill a rocks or coupe glass with ice water to chill while you mix the drink. Cold glassware makes a noticeable difference.
3. Add ingredients to a shaker: In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, apple cider, lemon juice, and rosemary syrup.
4. Shake with ice: Add ice and shake for about 12–15 seconds.

   You want it well-chilled and slightly diluted.

5. Prep the glass: Dump the ice water and add fresh ice to a rocks glass, or strain into a chilled coupe for an up-style serve.
6. Strain: Double strain (using a fine mesh strainer) into your glass to keep out pulp and ice shards for a smoother sip.
7. Top with fizz (optional): Add 1–2 ounces of club soda for a lighter, spritz-like version.
8. Garnish: Smack a rosemary sprig between your hands to release the oils and rest it on the rim. Add a thin apple slice or lemon wheel for aroma and color.
9. Taste and adjust: If you prefer it sweeter, add a touch more syrup. If you want more brightness, squeeze in a few extra drops of lemon.

How to Store

• Rosemary simple syrup: Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

  For longer storage, add a splash of vodka as a preservative.

• Apple cider: Keep refrigerated and use within 7–10 days after opening. Shake before using, especially if it’s unfiltered.
• Pre-batched cocktails: Mix gin, cider, lemon, and syrup in a pitcher without ice and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Stir and add club soda just before serving.

Benefits of This Recipe

• Balanced flavor: Sweet, herbal, citrusy, and crisp without being cloying.
• Seasonally flexible: Works in fall and winter but still feels refreshing in spring.
• Easy to scale: Great for gatherings; batch the base and serve over ice with a splash of soda.
• Customizable: Adjust sweetness, citrus, and fizz to fit your taste or the weather.
• Minimal tools: A shaker, strainer, and basic saucepan for syrup are all you need.

What Not to Do

• Don’t skip fresh lemon: Bottled juice can taste flat.

  Fresh juice lifts the entire drink.

• Don’t over-steep the rosemary: More than 30 minutes can create a bitter, resinous syrup.
• Don’t use spiced “apple drink” or juice: Choose real apple cider for proper body and flavor.
• Don’t overshake: You want it chilled, not watery. About 15 seconds is plenty.
• Don’t muddle fresh rosemary directly in the shaker: It can turn the cocktail astringent. Use the infused syrup and a garnish instead.

Alternatives

• No gin? Swap with bourbon for a warmer, richer profile, or vodka for a cleaner, milder base.
• No rosemary? Try thyme or sage simple syrup for a similar savory-herbal note.
• Make it zero-proof: Use a nonalcoholic gin alternative or skip the spirit and increase cider to 4 ounces, add extra lemon, and a dash of bitters (NA if needed).
• Spice it up: Add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon to the shaker, or rim the glass with cinnamon sugar for a dessert-leaning twist.
• Make it sparkling: Use dry sparkling apple cider or dry ginger ale in place of club soda for more character.
• Simplify the syrup: If you don’t want to make syrup, warm a small amount of honey with rosemary and water to thin it, then cool.

  It’s quicker and still delicious.

FAQ

What gin works best for this cocktail?

A London dry gin is a safe bet because it’s crisp and clean, which balances the cider’s sweetness. If you like citrus, a grapefruit- or lemon-forward gin also shines. Avoid overly floral gins, which can compete with the rosemary.

Can I use sparkling apple cider instead of still cider?

Yes.

If you use sparkling cider, skip the club soda. Choose a dry or semi-dry style so the drink doesn’t turn too sweet.

How sweet should the cocktail be?

Start with 1/2 ounce of rosemary syrup and adjust to taste. Unfiltered cider can vary in sweetness, so taste and tweak.

The lemon should keep things lively, not sour.

Do I need to double strain?

It’s optional but recommended. Double straining removes pulp from cider and any ice shards, giving a smoother feel and cleaner look.

Can I make the syrup ahead of time?

Absolutely. Make a small jar on the weekend and keep it in the fridge for up to two weeks.

It’s great in tea and lemonade, too.

What glass should I use?

A rocks glass over fresh ice feels relaxed and sippable. For a more elegant presentation, use a chilled coupe and skip the soda.

How do I garnish if I don’t have rosemary?

Use a thin apple fan, a lemon twist, or a cinnamon stick. You’ll miss the herbal aroma, but the drink will still taste great.

Can I batch this for a party?

Yes.

Mix 2 cups gin, 3 cups cider, 1 cup rosemary syrup, and 3/4 cup lemon juice in a pitcher. Chill. Pour over ice and top each glass with a splash of club soda just before serving.

Adjust sweetness to taste.

Is there a warm version?

You can serve it warm by gently heating the cider with a rosemary sprig, then adding gin and lemon off the heat. Skip the club soda. Serve in heatproof mugs with a small lemon twist.

How do I make it less sweet without losing flavor?

Reduce the syrup to 1/4 ounce and increase lemon to 3/4 ounce.

You can also choose a drier cider or add an extra splash of club soda to thin the sweetness.

Wrapping Up

The Rosemary Apple Cider Gin Cocktail is easy, balanced, and crowd-pleasing without feeling basic. With a handful of ingredients, you get something aromatic, bright, and just a bit cozy. Keep a jar of rosemary syrup in the fridge, and you’ll be ready to shake one up whenever the mood strikes.

Whether you serve it over ice with fizz or straight up in a coupe, it’s a reliable go-to for any season—and any guest list.