Apple Cider Martini Recipe

I love the holidays. And celebrating. And all four seasons (which explains why I live in Chicago).

I love celebrating the holidays and the seasons so much that I have set some pretty specific guidelines (ok, fine…rules) for when I can start celebrating. It’s a ‘slow down and smell the roses’ situation.  For instance, I LOVE pumpkin but don’t allow it until October 1st (update: life is short so I’ve revised this to the first day of Fall). The best way to fully appreciate the season or holiday I’m in is to embrace it before moving on to the next. 

Want to know what’s a great ‘we’re celebrating fall now’ flavor before October 1st comes? Apple. Once Labor Day hits (yes, that’s my benchmark for Fall) it’s officially apple season. Or rather apple cider season. Apple cider straight up, apple cider donuts, apple cider candles, and apple cider martinis.

Jump to my Apple Cider Martini Recipe

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Why an Apple Cider Martini?

I’ve been a vodka girl for longer than I’d care to say.  Back in the day, I’d order a Cosmopolitan (thank you Carrie Bradshaw) but then switched to Gimlets.  As I started experimenting with my at-home bar, in large part due to the elusive Brandy Old Fashioned, I began to wonder what festive drinks I could make to celebrate fall with a vodka base.

Enter the Cran-Apple Cider Martini.  What I love about this cocktail is that it’s not too sweet like a lot of ‘fun’ drinks.  There are no sweeteners added and I suggest that the mixers you use have only 1 ingredient in them.  I also like that it’s not as strong as a traditional martini with a twist.

The Apple Cider Martini is the perfect cocktail when you want to be seasonal and festive without straying too far from the classics.  Pairs nicely with your favorite fall movie.

Enjoy!

Cran-Apple Cider Martini Recipe

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 oz premium vodka (I prefer Grey Goose)
• 3 oz apple cider (apple as the only ingredient)
• ½ oz cranberry juice (cranberry is the only ingredient) 
• 1 apple (for garnish)
• Ice

Directions

1. Place ice in a martini shaker, filling it ¾ of the way up
2. Add vodka, apple cider, and cranberry juice
3. Place topper and cap on martini shaker and shake for 10 seconds
4. Serve with a ½ apple slice garnish

 Tips

• If you are having a party, you can make multiple servings at once in a martini pitcher, stir, and pour.
• Better to overshake than undershake, the colder the better for martinis.
• Large ice cubes work best to chill the martini without diluting it.
• The garnish isn’t necessary, just ignore it if you don’t have an apple. Feel free to substitute it with an orange twist or cinnamon stick for a flavor boost.
• Are you looking for an apple-based mocktail? Try this Virgin Old Fashioned recipe.

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Looking for more Fall Martinis?