Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup + Three Seasonal Drinks: Cozy Drinks, Florida Style
Enjoy Florida’s fall and holiday season with Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup and three warm-weather drinks that capture cozy, cold-weather flavor without the heat. This post features two refreshing cocktails, the Spiced Rum Harvest and Crisp Orchard Fizz, plus a festive non-alcoholic Crisp Orchard Sparkler. These chilled, seasonal drinks are perfect for breezy Florida evenings, outdoor entertaining, and celebrating the season in a warm climate.
Celebrating the Holidays in a Warm Climate
Even though we don’t experience a “true” winter here in Florida, we definitely feel the shift in seasons. The humidity backs off, the evenings turn crisp, and suddenly it’s great to be outside again. It’s the time of year when we love to open the windows, sit around the fire pit, and enjoy the cooler weather.
While the rest of the country turns to warm drinks and sweaters, we celebrate the season in our own way: with cocktails and mocktails that bring all the cozy cold-weather vibes, but stay bright, refreshing, and chilled. Think apples, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg… but chilled.
This season I am making batch after batch of Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup. It’s so delicious and versatile, you will want to try it in everything!
In this post, I share my syrup recipe along with three drinks to enjoy anytime from fall through the holiday season:
- Spiced Rum Harvest – boozy, aromatic, and perfect by the fire pit
- Crisp Orchard Fizz – light, refreshing, and bubbly for any gathering
- Crisp Orchard Sparkler (Mocktail) – a festive non-alcoholic option everyone will love
These drinks are easy, versatile, and perfect for Florida fall entertaining, Thanksgiving cocktails, Christmas parties, or simply enjoying on the patio on a cool December evening.
Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup
This syrup blends apples, cinnamon sticks, and warm spices to create a cozy base you can use in cocktails, mocktails, coffee, tea, sparkling water, and more. It keeps well in the refrigerator, so keep a batch on hand for last minute entertaining.
Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Fine mesh strainer
Ingredients
- 2 apples, Cored, diced, with peel on
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Place diced apples, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and water in a medium saucepan.Heat over medium heat until bubbling
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes, or until apples are soft
- Remove from heat and allow mixture to steep for 10 minutes
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the liquid from solids into a bowl
- Using a wooden spoon, press down on the apples to remove juices
- Return the liquid to the saucepan, add the brown sugar to the pan
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves
- Allow syrup to cool completely. Store in airtight container in the refrigerator
Notes
- I suggest using a sweet apple for this syrup, such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Fuji.
- Leave the apple peel on, for added flavor.
- Because this recipe calls for brown sugar, the syrup will be a deep brown color.
Spiced Rum Harvest
Rum • Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup • Orgeat • Lime • Fresh Nutmeg
This cocktail is full of flavor without being heavy, which is perfect on a cool Florida evening. With aromatic spices, smooth rum, and a squeeze of fresh lime, it’s balanced and refined. A dusting of grated nutmeg makes it feel instantly like the holiday season.
Spiced Rum Harvest Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1 ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- ½ ounce orgeat
- grated nutmeg, for garnish
- 1 lime slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine rum, lime juice, apple cinnamon simple syrup, and orgeat in a shaker with ice.
- Shake well, and strain liquid into a chilled coupe glass
- Garnish with grated nutmeg and a slice of lime
Notes
- I prefer a smooth dark rum, such as Metusalem in this cocktail.
- Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup a couple of days before your gathering. Then, when guests arrive, your cocktail comes together in no time.
Crisp Orchard Fizz
Vodka • Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup • Lime • Ginger Ale
This drink is light, bright, and refreshing, perfect for warm fall afternoons or holiday gatherings where you want something festive but not too rich. The ginger ale adds gentle sparkle, while the apple-cinnamon syrup brings a flavorful spice.
Crisp Orchard Fizz Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Vodka
- 1 ounce Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 2 ounces ginger ale
- lime slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Add vodka, Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice
- Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Add ginger ale and garnish with slice of lime
Notes
- Prepare the Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup a couple of days before your gathering. Then, when guests arrive, your cocktail comes together in no time.
Crisp Orchard Sparkler (Mocktail)
Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup • Lime • Ginger Ale
This mocktail is festive, fizzy, and perfect for guests of all ages. Served in a flute with a slice of lime, it’s elegant enough for holiday celebrations and simple enough for a casual fall brunch. The combination of apple, cinnamon, and ginger gives it the perfect seasonal touch. No alcohol required.
Crisp Orchard Sparkler Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 6 ounces ginger ale
- lime slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour Apple Cinnamon Simple Syrup and lime juice into a flute.
- Fill glass with ginger ale
- Stir gently, and garnish with lime slice
Notes
Warm Weather Holiday Entertaining
Whether you’re hosting friends, planning a holiday gathering, or simply relaxing outside on a beautiful Florida evening, these drinks bring you the best of both worlds: cozy seasonal flavor and refreshing, warm-weather ease.
Let Me Know What You Think
If you make any of these drinks, I’d love to know! Tell me your favorite or tag me on Instagram and Facebook @modernclassichost.
I’m going to try this in an old fashion cocktail!!
Sound like a great idea! Let me know how it turns out!