Crisp Orchard Fruits Layered With Gentle Spice and a Hint of Citrus
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, this Golden Harvest Cooler is the perfect autumn mocktail to settle into the season.
A comforting, non-alcoholic cocktail recipe that brings together Edenvale Non-Alcoholic Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, cloudy apple juice and warming spices, it delivers layers of orchard fruit, gentle citrus and soft spice in every sip.
Easy to make and beautifully balanced, it's the kind of drink that hits all the right notes for this time of year.
What Ingredients Are in a Golden Harvest Cooler?
If you enjoy spicing things up this time of year, Autumn mocktails like this one are the answer. It's a celebration of harvest bounty, brimming with apple, pear, and honey.
The warm kick comes from cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and star anise; a combination that lifts this drink to something really complex and interesting.
The piece de resistance is none other than Edenvale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay, which gives the drink a creamy richness we're sure you'll love.
Golden Harvest Cooler Mocktail Recipe
Preparation time
15 minutes
Ingredients for one standard glass
- 100ml Edenvale Non-Alcoholic Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
- 60ml Cloudy apple juice
- 30ml Pear nectar
- 15ml Honey syrup (1:1 honey and warm water)
- 10ml Fresh lemon juice
- 2 Cinnamon sticks (1 for garnish)
- 2 Whole cloves
- 1 Star anise
- 1 Cup of ice
- 1 Thin apple slice studded with cloves for garnish
- 1 Pinch freshly grated nutmeg (for garnish)
Directions
1. Infuse the spices
Lightly crush the cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise with the back of a spoon. Add to a cocktail shaker and pour in the apple juice and pear nectar, and infuse for five minutes.
2. Add remaining ingredients
Add the Chardonnay, honey syrup, and lemon juice to the shaker. Fill with ice.
3. Shake and strain
Seal and shake firmly for 15 seconds. Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled rocks glass or stemmed wine glass over a large ice cube, catching all the spice fragments.
4. Garnish and serve
Float the clove-studded apple slice on top. Rest a fresh cinnamon stick against the rim and finish with a light grating of nutmeg over the surface for a warm, spiced aroma. Serve immediately.
Top Preparation and Serving Tips
- 🗸 Serve warm for the ultimate mocktail on a cool Autumn evening
- 🗸 You can refrigerate the honey syrup for up to a fortnight
- 🗸 Why not add a thin slice of fresh ginger or a pinch of ground cardamom to complete the spicy warmth
- 🗸 Using freshly-pressed cloudy apple juice gives this mocktail more body and is a superb base for the selection of spices
Non-Alcoholic Adelaide Hills Chardonnay - the Premium Touch
Crafted from premium fruit grown in the cool Adelaide Hills, this hallmark Chardonnay brings generous layers of white peach and crisp green apple, gently rounded with subtle hints of vanilla and a soft, creamy finish.
That natural balance of freshness and texture makes it the perfect base for the Golden Harvest Cooler, complementing the orchard fruits while adding depth, softness and a beautifully smooth finish to every sip.
Why You'll Want These Autumn Mocktails
Many reasons make this drink wonderful, including:
- A refreshing and creative way to enjoy premium non-alcoholic Chardonnay
- It captures the flavours of the season beautifully
- The warm spices are perfect for this time of year
- Citrus provides a great dose of Vitamin C
- Instagrammable, the spicy garnishes ensure the drink looks as good as it tastes
Can You Prepare This Spicy Mocktail Recipe in Advance?
No, this mocktail is best when prepared just prior to serving. If you're planning to make this drink for a party or social get-together, adding the garnishes at the end can be a fun activity for everyone.
Can You Batch Make These Autumn Mocktails?
Absolutely, batch-making the Golden Harvest Cooler is easy. However, rather than using a cocktail mixer, we would recommend pouring all ingredients into a kitchen mixer and pulsing it a few times.
Golden Harvest Mocktail Food Pairings
It's no surprise that we turn to some classic Autumn harvest bounty when pairing Autumn mocktails with food. Think gentle flavours that won't overpower, but provide a hint of earthiness, sweetness or spice.
We highly recommend:
- Roasted carrots with honey and thyme
- Roasted pumpkin and feta with a drizzle of honey
- Chicken, apple and walnut finger sandwiches
- Glazed ham with mustard and cloves
- Lamb kofta with yoghurt and herbs
- A sharp cheddar cheese with stone fruit chutney
- Custard tart with a dusting of nutmeg
When and Where to Serve This Spicy Mocktail
Everything about this recipe says slow and sensory. It's perfect for:
- Long, relaxed lunches where conversation and drink flow, and it's early evening before you know it
- An elegant afternoon tea with a twist
- Grab a blanket, a book, the mocktail, and go outside for some golden afternoon rays and quiet me-time
More Edenvale Mocktail Recipes
Looking for some more exciting ways to enjoy Edenvale non-alcoholic wine? Check out other recipes in this series:
