The weather may be holding steady at 90 degrees outside, but I am wholeheartedly embracing fall inside. In all seriousness though, enough with this disgusting weather. I'm finally starting to see apple cider pop up in the stores and at farm stands again so it can only get better from here. I wanted to whip up a couple of easy and festive cider cocktails for you this season since I just can't face putting on fall clothes, even just to take photos.

Let me know your favorite apple cider cocktail down in the comments! 

Apple Cider Mimosas

Who doesn't love mimosas? This is just a fun fall twist on the classic brunch favorite. 

Ingredients: 

• Champagne or other sparkling wine

• Apple cider

• Agave nectar, brown sugar + cinnamon to rim the flutes 

Directions: 

1. Pour some brown sugar into a little dish and mix in some cinnamon. Take another little dish and pour some agave nectar into it. You can substitute simple syrup or corn syrup here, I just happen to prefer agave because I find it's the perfect consistency and I usually have it on-hand. Also, I hate making simple syrup and having to wait for it to cool. Once the rim of the glass is coated with the sweetener of your choice dip it into the plate of brown sugar and cinnamon. You can skip this step, but I really think it adds something special to the drink.

2. Decide on the ratio of apple cider to sparkling wine. I prefer to do 1/3 juice and 2/3 wine when I'm making mimosas so they're not so sweet but by all means, add more or less juice to cater to your taste. 

3. Carefully pour the cider into the flutes and then top off with champagne or your favorite sparkling wine and enjoy! 

Bourbon Cider Smash

Ingredients (Makes 2): 

• 3 oz bourbon

• 3 oz apple cider, chilled 

• 4 oz ginger beer

• Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions:

1. Pour bourbon and apple cider into a cocktail shaker, add a generous handful of ice, and shake vigorously.

2. Fill the glasses you're serving this in with ice and strain the bourbon/cider mixture evenly into both glasses. 

3. Top off with ginger beer and stir gently. If you don't have ginger beer, feel free to substitute ginger ale or even unflavored seltzer water.

4. Garnish with cinnamon sticks and enjoy responsibly!