Apple Cider Popsicles

Made with fresh apple cider, warm spices, and an optional caramel drizzle with toppings, these Apple Cider Popsicles are light, refreshing, and easy to customize.

Jump to:

• 🧡 Why this recipe works
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 🍎 Recipe tips
• ⏲️ How to store
• 🎉Variations on recipe
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Not much makes me happier than when grocery stores, local orchards, and farm stands put out fresh apple cider.

I could drink it by the gallon, but also love using it in recipes like apple cider cocktails, desserts, and even apple cider chicken wings!

Another great option for the seasonal drink? Apple cider popsicles. Not only are these a deliciously refreshing way to enjoy cider, but they can be served in so many ways, topped with caramel or chocolate, toffee, nuts, and so much more.

Think popsicles are just for kids? These apple cider popsicles will change your mind!

That is, if my mango popsicles and lime popsicles didn't already 😉

🧡 Why this recipe works

Only a few ingredients are needed: Made with just apple cider, spices, and lemon juice (plus optional toppings), these popsicles pack all the cozy apple cider vibes into a simple frozen treat.

Customizable and fun to decorate: Though the popsicles are simple, there are endless ways to customize them and jazz them up. You can dip them in caramel, drizzle them with white chocolate, or top them with crushed toffee or pecans. You can even make a more "adult" version.

Easy spice mixing: After experimenting and realizing that spices like cinnamon and ginger don't easily mix into cold liquid, I decided to bloom them in hot water first. After doing this, the spices blend seamlessly into the cider without clumping or floating on top.

Optional apple slices for visual appeal: I like to add thinly sliced apple wedges into my popsicle molds for some extra visual appeal. They look beautiful when frozen into the apple cider ice pops.

Quick and easy make-ahead treat: These popsicles freeze solid and store well for weeks, making them a great prep-ahead treat for fall gatherings.

🗒 Ingredients

Here's everything you need for the apple cider popsicles (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):

• Apple cider
• Lemon juice
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Fresh apple: optional for adding slices to popsicles
• Caramel sauce or chocolate sauce: optional for drizzling on frozen pops
• Toffee pieces, crushed pecans, sprinkles, etc.: optional for decorating frozen pops

Note that you will need a popsicle mold in order to make these popsicles. I like silicone popsicle molds best.

Most molds come with popsicle sticks, but if not, you'll need to purchase those, too.

🍎 Recipe tips

• Use fresh, good-quality apple cider. The flavor of these popsicles depends entirely on the cider, so choose a fresh one, rather than a shelf-stable one.

• Be sure to "bloom" the cinnamon and ginger first (mix them with a little bit of hot water) to help them blend into the cold cider better. If you don't do this, they'll likely clump and rise to the top of the mixture.

• If you're adding fresh apple slices to your pops (they look pretty!), be sure to cut them no thicker than ⅛" so they freeze nicely and don't overpower the popsicle. Press them gently against the mold wall for best visibility.

• Fill the popsicle molds almost to the top with the apple cider mixture, but be sure to leave a little room as the liquid will expand a bit as it freezes.

• Freeze completely before decorating or adding toppings.

• If you have trouble removing the popsicles from the molds after freezing them, run warm water over the outside of the molds for 5-10 seconds and gently wiggle the sticks.

• If you're decorating/adding toppings to the popsicles, pop them back in the freezer (on a baking sheet) for 15-30 minutes to ensure toppings stick.

• If you're using chocolate or white chocolate to decorate pops and it's not sticking, try mixing the melted chocolate with a tablespoon of coconut oil or heavy cream for a "magic shell" like consistency.

I drizzled my popsicles with caramel sauce and added toffee bits. Because apple cider and toffee is the most heavenly combination ever.

These apple cider popsicles are the perfect level of sweetness and are absolutely packed with fall flavor.

⏲️ How to store

These popsicles are great for making ahead and serving during fall festivities!

To store them, place them in a single layer in a airtight container or large freezer-safe Ziplock bag. If layering popsicles, add a piece of parchment paper in between each layer.

For even better freshness, place each popsicle in a popsicle wrapper or wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper before placing in container or bag. This will ensure the popsicles don't stick together.

When stored properly, apple cider popsicles should stay nice and fresh for about a month.

🎉Variations on recipe

I love the simplicity of these fall popsicles, but I also love that they're totally customizable and there are so many changes and additions you can make.

Here are some ideas:

• Add maple syrup to the cider mixture for added sweetness and fall flavor.
• Replace half the apple cider with pear juice.
• Switch out the spices you use. Instead of cinnamon and ginger, try nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, or pumpkin pie spice.
• Turn these into "adult" popsicles by adding bourbon, brandy, vodka, or spiced rum. Be sure to add just a couple tablespoons of alcohol as you don't want it to prevent freezing.
• Fill molds ⅔ of the way with cider, freeze partially, then add a layer of vanilla soda, cream soda, or whipped cream to mimic apple cider float vibes.
• Drizzle with melted chocolate or white chocolate.
• After adding caramel or chocolate, top pops with crushed nuts (I like pecans best), crushed pretzels, crushed graham crackers, edible glitter, sprinkles, etc.

If you're looking for more ways to enjoy apple cider season or just a fun fall project to do with the kids, these apple cider popsicles are a must-make!

📖 Recipe