Apple Cider Martini

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This Apple Cider Martini is a tasty, fall-inspired vodka cocktail that is easy to make with simple ingredients. It’s made with a homemade apple cinnamon simple syrup for even more fall apple flavor.

Fall is apple season, which means that apple cider is generally easy to find and especially fresh. There are lots of ways you can use apple cider to make creative cocktails, such as in this Apple Cider Sangria.

For some other fall cocktails, try this Pumpkin RumChata Martini, this Brown Sugar Old Fashioned, or this Caramel Apple Mimosa.

And if you’re specifically looking for vodka cocktails, try one of these Fall Vodka Cocktail Recipes.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make An Apple Cider Martini
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Homemade Apple Cinnamon Syrup — What makes this apple cider martini unique from other recipes is the addition of a homemade apple cinnamon syrup. Instead of regular simple syrup, this recipes uses one that has been infused with fresh apples, cinnamon and brown sugar.
• Fall Martini Recipe — If you love martinis, this is one of the best fall-inspired martini recipes. Looking for other autumn martinis? Try this Pumpkin Espresso Martini too!
• Easy To Make — This is a quick recipe to whip up. Plus, you can make the simple syrup in advance and store it until you are ready to serve your drinks to save time.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Apple Cider: Apple cider is the main ingredient in this recipe that gives all the flavor. Use a high quality, fresh apple cider. You can even use homemade apple cider if you prefer.
• Apples: You’ll need some fresh apple slices to make the apple cinnamon syrup. You can use any type that you like. I like to use Gala, Fuji or McIntosh.
• Vodka: Use your favorite brand of mid-shelf vodka for this recipe. It is not as spirit-forward as a classic martini, so don’t use your top-shelf vodka for this recipe. If you want a sweeter drink or for a little extra fall twist, use caramel vodka instead. If you don’t like vodka, you can use gin as a replacement.
• Cointreau: Cointreau is an orange flavored liqueur. You can use Triple Sec or Grand Marnier as a substitute. It is also ok to leave out the Cointreau entirely if you are not a fan.
• Brown Sugar: You’ll need some brown sugar to make the apple cinnamon syrup as well as to line the rim of the martini glass. You can use granulated sugar as a substitute here, but I find brown sugar adds more of a “fall flavor” with a little hint of caramel to the syrup.
• Lemon: A little dash of lemon juice brings out the apple flavor well. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice if you have it, or a high quality bottled lemon juice.
• Cinnamon: A cinnamon stick is used for making the apple cinnamon syrup. And a bit of ground cinnamon is used to rimming the cocktail glass (optional).
• Water: Water is used to make the simple syrup. Use filtered water to avoid any unpleasant flavors from tap water.

How To Make An Apple Cider Martini

Step 1: Heat the apple slices, brown sugar, cinnamon stick and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to heat for about 5 to 10 minutes until the apples soften and the brown sugar has completely dissolved. Stir occasionally as needed. Remove the syrup from the stove and strain out the apple slices and cinnamon stick.

Step 2: Line the rim of your martini glass with a bit of lemon, then roll it in a mixture of brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside for now.

Step 3: Add the apple cider, vodka, cointreau, lemon juice and apple cinnamon syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 20 seconds and strain into your prepared martini glass.

Expert Tips

• Don’t let the syrup boil. When making the apple & brown sugar syrup, reduce the temperature on the stove if needed to prevent the syrup from boiling. If the syrup boils, it can turn into a really thick, sticky syrup that doesn’t dissolve well.
• Store leftover syrup in the fridge. This recipe will make a bit of extra syrup. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Use the syrup to make more martinis, or use it in this Caramel Apple Sangria.
• Make it a Caramel Apple Martini. For a sweeter variation, this recipe works really well as a caramel apple martini. Use caramel vodka instead of regular vodka. For the martini glass rim, dip the edge into some thick caramel sauce before rolling it in brown sugar.
• Adjust the alcohol content. Martinis are strong drinks — and so is this one even if it is sweeter than a regular martini. Don’t hesitate to cut the amount of vodka in half and leave out the Cointreau if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.
• Save the apples from the syrup. After straining out the apple slices from making the simple syrup, save them! These cinnamon brown sugar apple slices are delicious mixed into some plain Greek yogurt with granola.

Recipe FAQs

Print

📖 Recipe