Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail – A Non-Alcoholic Twist on the Classic Gin Sour

Adam

Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail – A Non-Alcoholic Twist on the Classic Gin Sour

The crisp air of fall calls for drinks that are as cozy as they are refreshing — something bright, balanced, and beautifully seasonal. That’s where the Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail comes in. 🍋🍎✨ Inspired by the beloved Gin Sour cocktail, this alcohol-free version keeps all the elegant flavor and texture but swaps the gin for botanical, aromatic ingredients that bring the same sophistication — without the alcohol. Think lemon juice, apple cider, cinnamon syrup, and frothy aquafaba or egg white substitute for that signature silky finish. The result? A mocktail that’s tangy, smooth, slightly sweet, and perfectly autumnal. It’s ideal for Thanksgiving dinners, fall brunches, or as a classy zero-proof drink to serve guests who love complex flavors. Each sip tastes like a golden fall day — bright from citrus, mellow from apple, and perfectly balanced with a touch of warm spice. Whether you’re cutting back on alcohol or just want a delicious seasonal mocktail, this Autumn Citrus Sour will quickly become your go-to fall favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings: 2 mocktails

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create your Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail:

🍋 Fresh Juices

2 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
2 oz apple cider unfiltered for a rich, autumn flavor

🍯 Sweetener

1 oz cinnamon honey syrup see below for recipe

🥚 For the Foam

2 tablespoons aquafaba liquid from canned chickpeas — or 1 pasteurized egg white substitute

🍃 Flavor Enhancers

2 drops vanilla extract adds warmth similar to gin botanicals
1 dash non-alcoholic bitters optional but adds depth

❄️ Ice

1 cup ice cubes for shaking

🍎 Garnish

Cinnamon stick or apple slice
Ground cinnamon or nutmeg dusting

🧡 Cinnamon Honey Syrup Recipe

To make your own cinnamon honey syrup:
Combine 1/2 cup honey + 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan.
Add 1 cinnamon stick and heat gently until the honey dissolves.
Let cool remove cinnamon stick, and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Equipment

To make this elegant, bar-worthy mocktail, you’ll need:
Cocktail shaker (or mason jar with a lid)
Fine mesh strainer
Measuring jigger or small measuring cups
Citrus juicer
Whisk or handheld frother (for the foam)
Coupe or rocks glass
Ice cubes
Optional but recommended: a microplane for grating cinnamon or nutmeg on top before serving.

Method

Follow these simple steps to create your perfect Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail:

Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients

Add lemon juice, apple cider, cinnamon honey syrup, vanilla extract, and aquafaba (or egg white substitute) to a cocktail shaker.
Don’t add ice yet — this is your “dry shake” step to create the foam.

Step 2: Dry Shake (Without Ice)

Seal the shaker tightly and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds.
This builds that classic, frothy texture found in traditional sours.

Step 3: Add Ice & Shake Again

Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake again for another 15–20 seconds.
This chills the mocktail and strengthens the foam.

Step 4: Strain and Serve

Strain the mocktail into a chilled coupe or rocks glass.
Let the beautiful foam rise naturally to the top.

Step 5: Garnish

Garnish with a cinnamon stick, apple slice, or a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Serve immediately and enjoy that silky texture and cozy fall aroma.
Each sip delivers that perfect sour balance — bright lemon, cozy apple cider sweetness, and spiced warmth, topped with a velvety foam that feels luxuriously smooth.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Storage

The drink should be served fresh to keep its foam and fizz.

However, you can prepare the cinnamon honey syrup and juice mixture up to 3 days ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator.

Make-Ahead

Mix your apple cider, lemon juice, and syrup base early in the day.

Shake with aquafaba or egg white right before serving for that signature frothy finish.

🥄 Variations

Try one of these creative versions to make your Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail unique every time:

Cran-Apple Sour: Add 1 oz cranberry juice for a tangy holiday twist.

Maple Sour: Replace honey syrup with pure maple syrup for a deeper, earthy flavor.

Pumpkin Spice Sour: Add 1 tablespoon pumpkin purée and a pinch of pumpkin spice before shaking.

Ginger Sour: Add 1 oz ginger syrup for extra warmth.

Rosemary Citrus Sour: Infuse your honey syrup with rosemary for an aromatic finish.

Caramel Apple Sour: Replace honey syrup with caramel syrup for a dessert-like mocktail.

Pear Cider Sour: Swap apple cider for pear juice for a smoother fall flavor.

Vanilla Chai Sour: Add 1 oz cooled chai tea for a comforting spiced version.

Sparkling Sour: Top with a splash of soda water for a lighter, bubbly mocktail.

Berry Sour: Add muddled raspberries or blackberries before shaking for a colorful, fruity spin.

Each variation celebrates fall in its own way — warm, fruity, spicy, or sweet.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. What can I use instead of aquafaba or egg white?
You can use a non-dairy foaming agent like 1 tablespoon of oat milk creamer for a lighter froth.

2. Can I make this without a shaker?
Yes! Use a mason jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously — it works just as well.

3. Is this drink kid-friendly?
Completely! It’s alcohol-free and made with natural ingredients.

4. Can I make it vegan?
Yes — simply use aquafaba instead of egg white and honey substitute like agave syrup.

5. What does this mocktail taste like?
It’s tangy like lemonade but smoother, with cozy apple and cinnamon undertones.

6. Can I make this into a warm drink?
You can! Skip the foam step and gently heat the lemon, apple cider, and honey syrup together for a warm version.

7. How can I make it fizzier?
Top the finished mocktail with a splash of soda water.

8. How do I make the foam thicker?
Shake longer during the “dry shake” and use cold aquafaba — it foams beautifully.

9. What can I serve this with?
It pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, apple desserts, turkey, or cheese boards.

10. Can I make a large batch?
Yes! Mix the liquid base in a pitcher and shake individual servings with aquafaba or froth them just before serving.

🏁 Conclusion

The Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail proves that you don’t need alcohol to create a truly special, sophisticated drink. With its bright citrus flavor, velvety foam, and touch of fall spice, it’s the perfect blend of elegance and coziness — ideal for both festive occasions and relaxing nights in.

Whether you’re serving it at Thanksgiving dinner, a cozy brunch, or just treating yourself to something indulgent, this mocktail delivers that “craft cocktail” experience with none of the spirits. Every sip is a celebration of fall’s balance — tart meets sweet, citrus meets spice, and comfort meets freshness.

So grab your shaker, pour that golden cider, and let this Autumn Citrus Sour Mocktail fill your glass — and your season — with sparkle, warmth, and pure fall flavor.