Can I use ground cinnamon to make the syrup?

You can, but a cinnamon stick is better. Using ground cinnamon will still add flavor, but it will leave some cinnamon grains. Straining the syrup through a cheesecloth can help in this case.

Can I use a store bought simple syrup instead of making my own?

Yes, but it won’t taste quite the same. As a substitute, you can try this brown sugar cinnamon syrup and/or this apple simple syrup .

Do I have to peel the apples?

No. You don’t have to peel the apples before making the apple & brown sugar syrup.

Apple Cider Martini - The Littlest Crumb

Description

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.

Ingredients

Scale

Apple Cinnamon Syrup:
- ½ apple, sliced
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick

Apple Cider Martini:
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ tsp brown sugar (optional)
- 2 oz apple cider
- 1 ½ oz vodka
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz apple cinnamon syrup
- ½ tbsp Cointreau

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Instructions

Make the apple cinnamon syrup. Heat the apple slices, brown sugar, water and cinnamon stick together in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally. Continue to heat for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the apples have softened and the brown sugar has completely dissolved in the water.
Remove the saucepan from the stove and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Strain out the apples and cinnamon stick.
Rim the martini glass. Run a wedge of lemon around the edge of the martini glass. Then roll the rim in a mixture of ground cinnamon and brown sugar, pressing gently to make it stick. Set the glass aside for now.
Make the apple cider martini. Add the apple cider, vodka, lemon juice, apple cinnamon syrup and cointreau to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well for 20 to 30 seconds and strain into your prepared martini glass. Serve immediately.

Notes

Caramel Apple Martini: For a caramel apple martini, use caramel vodka instead of regular vodka. And for the martini rim, dip the rim of your martini in caramel sauce, then roll it in brown sugar.
Make it sweeter: Martinis are generally strong, spirit-forward drinks. If you want a sweeter drink, use 3/4 to 1 oz of vodka, leave out the Cointreau and/or increase the apple cinnamon syrup to 1 oz.
Storing leftover syrup: This recipe will make extra apple cinnamon syrup. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can use leftovers to make lots of different drink recipes, such as this Apple Cider Sangria.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Cocktail Recipes
Method: Shaken
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Calories: 187
Sugar: 17g
Sodium: 7mg
Fat: 0.1g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 19g
Fiber: 0.2g
Protein: 0.2g
Cholesterol: 0mg