Apple Cinnamon Iced Refresher Drink

Name: Iced Apple Cinnamon Refresher Drink
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings, about 10 ounces each including ice
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 cinnamon sticks, each about 3 inches long; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 3 cups chilled apple juice, preferably 100% juice, 40°F or colder; 1 cup chilled sparkling water or still filtered water, 40°F or colder; 1/4 cup prepared cinnamon simple syrup; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 cups ice cubes, divided; 1 small crisp apple, thinly sliced into 1/8-inch slices; 4 cinnamon sticks; 4 small lemon wedges, optional

Imperial June 24, 2026June 24, 2026

Quick Recipe Version (TL;DR)

Yield: 4 servings, about 10 ounces each including ice
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Quick Ingredients

3 cups chilled apple juice, 40°F or colder
1 cup chilled sparkling water or still filtered water, 40°F or colder
1/4 cup cinnamon simple syrup
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups ice cubes, divided
1 small crisp apple, thinly sliced, for garnish
4 cinnamon sticks, for garnish
For the cinnamon syrup: 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

Do This

1. Simmer water, sugar, cinnamon sticks, and salt over medium heat for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes.
3. Strain the syrup and chill it in an ice bath for 10 minutes, until 40°F or colder.
4. Stir together apple juice, sparkling water, 1/4 cup cinnamon syrup, and lemon juice in a pitcher.
5. Fill 4 glasses with 1/2 cup ice each.
6. Pour the refresher over the ice and garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Comforting but refreshing: Crisp apple juice and cool ice keep it bright, while cinnamon adds a cozy, gentle spice.
Easy for gatherings: Make the syrup ahead, then stir everything together right before serving.
Beautiful with simple garnishes: Thin apple slices and cinnamon sticks make each glass feel special with very little effort.
Flexible sweetness: Use more sparkling water for a lighter drink or a little extra syrup for a sweeter, spicier version.

Grocery List

Produce: 1 fresh lemon, 1 small crisp apple such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Pink Lady, or Fuji
Dairy: None
Pantry: Apple juice, sparkling water or still filtered water, granulated sugar, cinnamon sticks, fine sea salt, ice cubes

Full Ingredients

For the Cinnamon Simple Syrup

1/2 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cinnamon sticks, each about 3 inches long
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the Apple Cinnamon Iced Refresher

3 cups chilled apple juice, preferably 100% juice, 40°F or colder
1 cup chilled sparkling water or still filtered water, 40°F or colder
1/4 cup prepared cinnamon simple syrup
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups ice cubes, divided

For Garnish

1 small crisp apple, thinly sliced into 1/8-inch slices
4 cinnamon sticks
4 small lemon wedges, optional

Apple Cinnamon Iced Refresher Drink – Closeup

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the cinnamon syrup

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt. Set the pan over medium heat and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until the sugar dissolves. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, about 200°F, then simmer for exactly 5 minutes. Keep the heat steady and avoid a hard boil so the cinnamon flavor stays smooth rather than sharp.

Step 2: Steep and strain the syrup

Remove the saucepan from the heat, cover it, and let the cinnamon sticks steep for 10 minutes. This short steep gives the syrup a warm cinnamon aroma without making the drink taste too heavy. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a heat-safe measuring cup or jar. You should have about 2/3 cup syrup; this recipe uses 1/4 cup, and the extra can be saved for another batch.

Step 3: Chill the syrup quickly

Place the jar or measuring cup of strained syrup into a bowl filled with ice water. Let it sit for 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the syrup is cool to the touch and ideally 40°F or colder. Starting with cold syrup helps the drink stay crisp and prevents the ice from melting too quickly.

Step 4: Mix the refresher base

In a 1 1/2-quart pitcher, combine 3 cups chilled apple juice, 1 cup chilled sparkling water or still filtered water, 1/4 cup chilled cinnamon syrup, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Stir gently for 15 to 20 seconds. If using sparkling water, stir slowly so you keep as much fizz as possible.

Step 5: Taste and adjust

Taste the mixture before serving. For a brighter drink, add 1 additional teaspoon fresh lemon juice. For a sweeter cinnamon-forward drink, add 1 tablespoon more cinnamon syrup. For a lighter refresher, add up to 1/2 cup more chilled sparkling water. Keep adjustments small so the apple flavor remains the main focus.

Step 6: Prepare the glasses

Fill 4 tall glasses with 1/2 cup ice cubes each. Add 2 to 3 thin apple slices to each glass. If you want the apple slices to stay especially pale, rub them lightly with a cut lemon wedge before adding them to the glasses.

Step 7: Pour and garnish

Pour the apple cinnamon refresher evenly over the ice, about 1 cup liquid per glass. Garnish each drink with a cinnamon stick and, if desired, a small lemon wedge on the rim. Serve immediately while the drink is very cold and the ice is fresh.

Pro Tips

Use good apple juice: Since apple is the main flavor, choose a juice you enjoy drinking on its own. Cloudy, unfiltered apple juice gives a richer orchard-style taste, while clear apple juice makes a lighter-looking refresher.
Do not over-steep the cinnamon: More than 20 minutes can make the syrup taste woody or slightly bitter. Ten minutes is enough for a subtle, cozy spice.
Chill everything first: Apple juice, water, and syrup should be 40°F or colder before mixing. A cold base keeps the drink crisp and prevents watered-down flavor.
Add bubbles right before serving: If using sparkling water, mix the pitcher just before pouring so the refresher stays lively.
Slice apples thinly: Thin 1/8-inch slices look elegant in the glass and release a little fresh apple aroma as you sip.

Variations

Apple Cider Cinnamon Refresher: Replace the apple juice with 3 cups chilled apple cider for a deeper, more autumnal flavor. Shake or stir the cider well before measuring.
Ginger Apple Cinnamon Refresher: Replace the sparkling water with 1 cup chilled ginger beer or ginger ale for a spicier, slightly sweeter drink.
Herbal Apple Refresher: Add 1 small rosemary sprig or 2 fresh thyme sprigs to the pitcher for 3 minutes, then remove before serving for a subtle herbal finish.

Storage & Make-Ahead

The cinnamon syrup can be made up to 2 weeks ahead. Store it in a clean, covered jar in the refrigerator at 40°F or colder. The apple refresher base can be mixed without ice and without sparkling water up to 24 hours ahead; refrigerate it in a covered pitcher. If making ahead, combine the apple juice, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup cinnamon syrup, then add the sparkling water, ice, apple slices, and cinnamon stick garnishes right before serving. Once poured over ice, the drink is best enjoyed within 15 minutes for the freshest flavor and texture.

Nutrition (per serving)