Apple juice is not the first mixer people reach for with gin. Citrus, tonic, soda, and lemonade tend to come first. But gin and apple juice is a combination that deserves more attention, especially in the fall when really good apple juice is easy to find, and you want something that feels seasonal without requiring a lot of work.

The botanicals in gin, particularly juniper and any citrus notes, contrast with the natural sweetness of apple juice, preventing the drink from becoming too sweet.

Which gin

A floral or citrus-forward gin works best, as the lighter botanical profile lets the apple flavor come through rather than being buried under juniper.

A heavily piney or juniper-forward London Dry will make the drink more assertive and slightly more bitter. Not bad, just a different direction.

The apple juice

Fresh-pressed apple juice, the cloudy kind you find at farmers’ markets or in the refrigerated section, is drastically better than the clear, shelf-stable kind. It has real apple flavor, a little tartness, and a slight earthiness that plays well with gin’s botanicals.

Clear apple juice from a shelf-stable carton is sweeter and more one-dimensional. It works, but if you can find fresh-pressed, use it.

Ratio

Combining 2 oz of gin with 4 oz of apple juice is the standard bar measurement. Apple juice is sweeter than grapefruit or lemon, so you may want to balance it with a squeeze of lemon or a dash of something dry.

Garnish

A cinnamon stick in the glass adds warmth and aroma that pairs naturally with apple. An apple fan on the rim looks great in fall. A fresh sprig of rosemary from the garden is another option that adds an herbal note.

Find more ideas in my cocktail garnishes guide.

The 3-Ingredient Autumn Version

Add a cinnamon stick to the glass and let it sit in the drink as you sip. The cinnamon slowly infuses into the apple juice and adds a warm spice note that makes the whole drink feel more autumnal.

You can also add a dash of cinnamon directly to the juice if you want the flavor to come through faster. A small sprinkle of ground cinnamon on top adds a nice touch for presentation.

Alternatively, add half an ounce of fresh lemon juice before topping with apple juice. The acidity tightens the drink and balances the sweetness, which is the better call if it’s not yet fall and you want something brighter.

Mocktail Version

Mix together fresh-pressed apple juice with sparkling water and a cinnamon stick, using a ratio of about 3 parts juice to 1 part sparkling water. A squeeze of lemon keeps it from being too sweet.

Non-alcoholic gin works well here, too, because the botanicals give the apple something to play against.

Glassware

This is a long, easy-drinking cocktail that needs the height of a highball glass (like this one). Use a long cocktail stirrer to gently mix it, without losing the apple juice’s natural carbonation, if you’re using sparkling apple juice.

More bartending tools in my Amazon shop.

More 2-Ingredient Gin Cocktails:

• Gin Apple Juice Highball
• Gin & Grapefruit
• Gin Guava
• Gin and Juice
• Gin & Lemonade
• Gin Pineapple
• Gin & Soda
• Gin Sprite
• Gin & Tonic
• Gin Tonic (Flavored)
• Gin Watermelon

Gin cocktails to try next:

• Apple Rosemary Gin Fizz
• Citrus Rosemary Gin Fizz
• Basil Gin Smash

Gin and Apple Juice Highball

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz apple juice (fresh-pressed preferred)
• Cinnamon stick or rosemary sprig, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add gin.
3. Top with apple juice and stir gently.
4. Garnish with a cinnamon stick or rosemary sprig.

Autumn 3-Ingredient Version

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 4 oz apple juice (fresh-pressed preferred)
• 1 cinnamon stick (or ½ oz fresh lemon juice for a brighter version)
• Apple slice or rosemary sprig, for garnish

Instructions

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Add gin.
3. Top with apple juice and stir gently.
4. Drop in a cinnamon stick or add lemon juice and stir.
5. Garnish with an apple slice or rosemary sprig.