Apple Cider Martini

Meet the best fall cocktail….the Apple Cider Martini! It’s deliciously balanced: sweet tart with a hint of cinnamon on the finish.

Looking for a great cocktail with apple cider? Look no further than this Apple Cider Martini! It’s no secret that apple cider is one of our favorite ingredients for fall cocktails. This one surprised us as a new favorite. It’s tangy and balanced, with just the right interplay between sweet tart cider and citrusy orange liqueur. It’s got a hint of cinnamon on the finish and beware: it’s very drinkable. This one’s right up there with our apple cider margarita as a must-make drink!

What’s in an apple cider martini?

The apple cider martini is a spin on a flavored vodka martini using apple cider. The exact ingredients in a martini like this are up to the mixologist, since it’s a spin on the classic. In fact, you could consider it a spin on the Apple Martini, aka Appeltini, without the sour apple schnapps. This version is all sweet cider, accentuated by citrus and spice. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Apple cider
• Vodka
• Cointreau or Triple Sec
• Lemon juice
• Pure maple syrup (or simple syrup)
• Cinnamon

The type of apple cider to use

There are a few major types of apple cider you’ll find at the store that you can use in this Apple Cider Martini. If you can find local cider, even better! But take care when you’re shopping to find these two things:

• Look for unfiltered apple cider. Some apple cider is sold unfiltered, which has the pulp and sediment. Other cider is sold filtered, which is basically like apple juice. Choose unfiltered if you can find it: it has the most developed flavor and best color. Using filtered cider, the drink is much lighter in color.
• Look for pasteurized apple cider. Pasteurizing apple cider makes it more shelf stable. If it’s unpasteurized, it can turn into hard cider or apple cider vinegar over time, so you should drink it within 2 weeks. Unpasteurized cider has more risk of bacteria, so we recommend pasteurized.

Maple syrup vs simple syrup

Pure maple syrup is a great stand-in for simple syrup in cocktails: it has a nuanced sweetness with hints of caramel and vanilla. It does not, in fact, taste like maple! You won’t necessarily taste any of that signature flavor, so you can easily use it to taste in for simple syrup in any of our cocktail recipes. We like using it in fall cocktails to bring in an autumnal vibe.

If you can’t find pure maple for this Apple Cider Martini, you can use homemade simple syrup. This drink would also be great with homemade Brown Sugar Syrup, which would add even more intense caramel notes.

How to make an apple cider martini

Once you’ve got the right type of apple cider, mixing up this Apple Cider Martini is a breeze! Here’s all you need to do:

• Shake: Add all ingredients (see below) to a cocktail shaker. Add 1 handful of ice and shake until cold!
• Strain & garnish: Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with thinly sliced apples if you like.

More fall martini recipes

Vodka martinis are a fun drink for fall because they’re so easy to customize with different flavors! Here are a few more to try:

• Try a delicately sweet Pear Martini
• Go for a cozy Pumpkin Martini
• Try an Apple Martini (Appletini) or more apple cocktails
• Opt for a Cranberry Martini or Pomegranate Martini

01

Pear Martini

02

Pumpkin Martini

03

Apple Martini (Appletini)

04

Cranberry Martini

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