Ingredients:

  • 4 cups Apple Cider (or 100% Apple Juice)
  • 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
  • 2 large Whole Cinnamon Sticks
  • 3 Star Anise Pods
  • 6 Whole Cloves
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 Large Apple, roughly chopped
  • 12 fl oz 100% Pomegranate Juice (unsweetened)
  • 12 fl oz Sparkling Water or Soda Water (very cold)
  • Ice, as needed
  • Pomegranate Arils, for garnish
  • Thin Apple Slices, for garnish
  • Fresh Rosemary Sprigs, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Simmer Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider/juice, brown sugar, whole spices (cinnamon, star anise, cloves), chopped apple, and lemon juice.
  2. Bring to a Boil: Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture reaches a rolling boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Reduce and Infuse: Reduce the heat to low. Simmer gently, uncovered, for 15–20 minutes. The liquid should reduce by about a third and smell intensely spiced.
  4. Strain: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing gently on the solids to extract all liquid. Discard the solids.
  5. Cool and Chill: Allow the finished syrup (Spiced Apple Reduction) to cool completely to room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 1 hour.
  6. Prep Glasses: Fill six serving glasses generously with ice.
  7. Mix Base: Gently combine the chilled Spiced Apple Reduction (approximately 12 fl oz total) and 100% Pomegranate Juice in a jug. Stir slowly to combine.
  8. Pour and Top: Pour the juice mixture evenly over the prepared ice in the six glasses. Top each glass with approximately 2 fl oz (60 ml) of cold sparkling water or soda water. Stir very briefly.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Garnish each mocktail immediately with a sprinkle of pomegranate arils, a thin apple slice, and a rosemary sprig.