Fireside Spiced Ember Mocktail – A warm, cozy, smoky-sweet sip perfect for winter nights

🎉 Introduction

The Fireside Spiced Ember Mocktail is everything you want in a winter drink — warm, comforting, gently spiced, and layered with deep cozy flavors reminiscent of sipping something special by a crackling fire.

This alcohol-free cocktail blends tart apple cider, smoky cinnamon, warm spices, citrus brightness, and a hint of maple sweetness. Served warm or chilled, it feels luxurious, sophisticated, and soothing — the perfect drink for holiday evenings, winter gatherings, or unwinding under a blanket on a chilly night.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Small saucepan
• Heatproof mug or cocktail glass
• Fine mesh strainer
• Stirring spoon
• Citrus peeler
• Measuring cups & spoons

🛒 Ingredients

Fireside Base

• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup (more to taste)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• Small strip of orange peel

Optional Smoky Finish

• 1 drop liquid smoke (optional but gives true “fireside” aroma)
• OR a smoked cinnamon stick
• OR a pinch of smoked paprika

Garnish

• Dehydrated orange slice
• Cinnamon stick
• Fresh cranberries
• Star anise (optional)

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Warm the base

In a small saucepan, combine:

• Apple cider
• Cranberry juice
• Lemon juice
• Maple syrup
• Cinnamon stick
• Cloves
• Orange peel

Warm over medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes, just until steaming.
Do not boil — this preserves flavor and aroma.

Step 2: Add smoky element (optional)

Remove from heat.
Add one drop of liquid smoke (or a smoked cinnamon stick).
Stir gently.

Step 3: Strain & pour

Strain into a heatproof mug or cocktail glass.
If serving chilled, pour over ice.

Step 4: Garnish

Top with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, cranberries, or star anise.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Serves: 1
• Prep Time: 2 minutes
• Cook Time: 5–7 minutes
• Total Time: <10 minutes

🧊 Storage

• The spiced cider base can be stored 3–4 days in the refrigerator. ❄️
• Reheat gently on low heat — do not boil.

🥄 Variations

• Maple Fireside Latte (Non-Coffee)
  Add ¼ cup steamed milk or oat milk.
• Cran-Apple Fireside Mule
  Serve chilled over ice and top with ginger beer.
• Fireside Old-Fashioned Mocktail
  Add extra maple and a dash of bitters (non-alcoholic bitters only).
• Sparkling Ember
  Chill the spiced base and top with sparkling water.
• Pumpkin Spice Campfire
  Add 1 teaspoon pumpkin puree + pinch of pumpkin spice.

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Is this mocktail served warm or cold?
   Either! Warm is cozy; cold is refreshing.
2. Is liquid smoke safe to use?
   Yes — just a drop adds aroma without overpowering.
3. Can I make a big batch?
   Easily — multiply ingredients and warm in a pot.
4. Can kids drink this?
   Yes — it’s fully alcohol-free.
5. Can I sweeten it more?
   Add more maple syrup or a splash of apple cider.
6. Can I make it spicy?
   Add fresh ginger slices while warming.
7. What if I don’t have apple cider?
   Use apple juice, but reduce the maple slightly.
8. Can it be dairy-free?
   Completely — no dairy in the base recipe.
9. Can I chill it and use as a base for mocktail spritzers?
   Yes — excellent for sparkling mocktails.
10. What makes it taste “fireside”?
    The warm spices + citrus peel + optional smoky note.

🏁 Conclusion

The Fireside Spiced Ember Mocktail is warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting — everything a winter drink should be. With its layered spices, citrus brightness, apple depth, and subtle smoky touch, it captures the feeling of relaxing beside a glowing fire. Elegant enough for holiday gatherings and simple enough for a quiet night at home, this mocktail will quickly become a winter favorite.

Fireside Spiced Ember Mocktail – A warm, cozy, smoky-sweet sip perfect for winter nights

The Fireside Spiced Ember Mocktail is everything you want in a winter drink — warm, comforting, gently spiced, and layered with deep cozy flavors reminiscent of sipping something special by a crackling fire. This alcohol-free cocktail blends tart apple cider, smoky cinnamon, warm spices, citrus brightness, and a hint of maple sweetness. Served warm or chilled, it feels luxurious, sophisticated, and soothing — the perfect drink for holiday evenings, winter gatherings, or unwinding under a blanket on a chilly night.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 Servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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Ingredients

  

Fireside Base

• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup more to taste
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• Small strip of orange peel

Optional Smoky Finish

• 1 drop liquid smoke optional but gives true “fireside” aroma
• OR a smoked cinnamon stick
• OR a pinch of smoked paprika

Garnish

• Dehydrated orange slice
• Cinnamon stick
• Fresh cranberries
• Star anise optional

Get Our Best App for Daily Great Recipes 🍽️

Discover warm, delicious, home-style meals — fresh recipes added every day inside Jacky’s Kitchen.

Coming Soon

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Heatproof mug or cocktail glass
• Fine mesh strainer
• Stirring spoon
• Citrus peeler
• Measuring cups & spoons

Method

 

Step 1: Warm the base

1. In a small saucepan, combine:
2. Apple cider
3. Cranberry juice
4. Lemon juice
5. Maple syrup
6. Cinnamon stick
7. Cloves
8. Orange peel
9. Warm over medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes, just until steaming.
10. Do not boil — this preserves flavor and aroma.

Step 2: Add smoky element (optional)

1. Remove from heat.
2. Add one drop of liquid smoke (or a smoked cinnamon stick).
3. Stir gently.

Step 3: Strain & pour

1. Strain into a heatproof mug or cocktail glass.
2. If serving chilled, pour over ice.

Step 4: Garnish

1. Top with an orange slice, cinnamon stick, cranberries, or star anise.

Notes

🧊 Storage

The spiced cider base can be stored 3–4 days in the refrigerator. ❄️

Reheat gently on low heat — do not boil.

🥄 Variations

Maple Fireside Latte (Non-Coffee)
Add ¼ cup steamed milk or oat milk.

Cran-Apple Fireside Mule
Serve chilled over ice and top with ginger beer.

Fireside Old-Fashioned Mocktail
Add extra maple and a dash of bitters (non-alcoholic bitters only).

Sparkling Ember
Chill the spiced base and top with sparkling water.

Pumpkin Spice Campfire
Add 1 teaspoon pumpkin puree + pinch of pumpkin spice.

❓ 10 FAQs

Is this mocktail served warm or cold?
Either! Warm is cozy; cold is refreshing.

Is liquid smoke safe to use?
Yes — just a drop adds aroma without overpowering.

Can I make a big batch?
Easily — multiply ingredients and warm in a pot.

Can kids drink this?
Yes — it’s fully alcohol-free.

Can I sweeten it more?
Add more maple syrup or a splash of apple cider.

Can I make it spicy?
Add fresh ginger slices while warming.

What if I don’t have apple cider?
Use apple juice, but reduce the maple slightly.

Can it be dairy-free?
Completely — no dairy in the base recipe.

Can I chill it and use as a base for mocktail spritzers?
Yes — excellent for sparkling mocktails.

What makes it taste “fireside”?
The warm spices + citrus peel + optional smoky note.

🏁 Conclusion

The Fireside Spiced Ember Mocktail is warm, aromatic, and deeply comforting — everything a winter drink should be. With its layered spices, citrus brightness, apple depth, and subtle smoky touch, it captures the feeling of relaxing beside a glowing fire. Elegant enough for holiday gatherings and simple enough for a quiet night at home, this mocktail will quickly become a winter favorite.