The Golden Spiced Swirl is an unusual mocktail that combines non-alcoholic malt with a homemade spiced apple mixture. The turmeric gives it a striking golden color, and the combination of warm spices and fizzy malt creates something that feels like a cross between a cocktail and a mulled cider. It’s a drink that makes more sense in a glass than it does on paper.

Making the spice base

Heat the apple juice with the turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and honey in a small saucepan. Stir until everything is dissolved and the mixture turns golden. Don’t let it boil; you want to bloom the spices gently, not cook the juice. Let it cool to room temperature before combining with the malt drink. The spice base keeps in the fridge for a few days, so you can make a batch and assemble individual drinks as needed.

The malt component

A non-alcoholic beer like Heineken 0.0 adds mild maltiness and carbonation that lifts the spiced apple mixture out of tea territory and into cocktail territory. The carbonation is what makes this feel like a drink rather than a warm tonic. Athletic Brewing’s options work well too if you prefer a craft-style malt with more body.

Warm or cold

This recipe works both ways. Over ice, the drink is refreshing and sparkling, with the spices adding warmth in the background. Skip the ice and serve it slightly warm, and it becomes more like a mulled drink, comforting and aromatic. The warm version works well for holiday gatherings when you want to offer something unexpected alongside the usual hot cider.