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    Home All Cocktails

    Apple Cider Martini

    Published: Oct 20, 2023 · Modified: Oct 4, 2024 by Kimberly · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Side view of an Apple Cider Martini on a countertop. The drink has a cinnamon sugar rim, a cinnamon stick and an apple slice garnish. In the background are some ingredients and bar tools. Text at the top says “Apple Cider Martini” in bold letters.

    This Apple Cider Martini recipe is like fall in a glass! With fresh apple cider, vodka, Amaretto, and a hint of cardamom, this is such a delicious drink for crisp autumn afternoons. It's easy to make, and a great way to enjoy some cider after a long afternoon of apple picking.

    Side view of an Apple Cider Martini on a countertop. The drink has a cinnamon sugar rim, a cinnamon stick and an apple slice garnish. In the background are some ingredients and bar tools.

    Since apple cider is mostly only available in the fall, this definitely makes the perfect seasonal fall cocktail. This makes a great holiday cocktail and is perfect for Thanksgiving too!

    If you're looking for more tasty fall drinks, try out an Apple Cider Mimosa, a Pear Martini or a batch of Fall Sangria with Apple Cider for a crowd.

    Or, this easy and delicious Fireball Apple Cider is always a hit!

    For a more decadent option, try this creamy pumpkin pie spiced martini, another great Thanksgiving pick!

    Jump to:
    • What is the difference between Apple Cider and Apple Juice?
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Top tip - Batching
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What is the difference between Apple Cider and Apple Juice?

    Apple cider is made from fresh-pressed apples, and usually looks cloudy (especially after you shake it up!) It has a bunch of fine apple particles left in the liquid.

    Because cider isn't filtered, it has a stronger apple flavor. But, it also doesn't last as long and needs to stay refrigerated.

    Apple juice, instead, gets filtered to remove the apple particles, and then pasteurized for longer shelf life. This results in a clearer, sweeter liquid with a milder apple taste.

    Apple Cider Martini on a countertop with a cinnamon stick and apple slice garnish. The drink has a cinnamon sugar rim.

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you'll need for this drink:

    • Apple cider - preferably fresh and local apple cider if you can find it!
    • Vodka - you can use your favorite vodka here, but no need to break the bank as most of the flavor here comes from the apples and spices. I used Tito's vodka.
    • Amaretto - this almond liqueur brings some sweetness and a warm flavor to the drink. I used Disaronno Amaretto.
    • Cardamom bitters - cardamom is a spice that goes so well with apples. I used The Bitter Housewife cardamom bitters, which also has a touch of cinnamon in it.
    • Cinnamon sugar - this is to add to the rim of the glass.
    • Apple slice - for garnish.
    • Cinnamon stick - for garnish.
    Ingredients to make an Apple Cider Martini together on a countertop.

    Substitutions

    Here are some ways you can substitute the ingredients in this cocktail:

    • Apple cider - no fresh cider available? I definitely suggest trying out apple cider concentrate. For this recipe, you would use ¼ ounce of concentrate mixed with 1¾ ounces water.
    • Vodka - you can use a flavored vodka instead of plain. Caramel vodka, vanilla vodka or whipped cream flavored vodka would all work well.
    • Amaretto - instead of Amaretto, a cinnamon liqueur like Mr Stacks cinnamon schnapps would work, or try out ABK6 Cinnamon Cognac from Total Wine.
    • Cardamom bitters - you can always leave these out if you don't have them. Or, try using Hella brand ginger bitters instead. You can also try using a pinch of cinnamon in the cocktail shaker.
    • Cinnamon sugar - you can make your own cinnamon sugar by mixing regular sugar with cinnamon. Try adding 1 part cinnamon to 4 parts sugar. Or, just use brown sugar to coat the rim instead.
    • Apple slice and cinnamon stick - these are optional, so just omit if you don't have them.

    Variations

    Here are some variations on this recipe:

    • Butterscotch - try using a butterscotch schnapps, like DeKuyper Buttershots, for more of a buttery caramel flavor.
    • Caramel - instead of using the apple or water to wet the rim of your glass, try using a caramel sauce, like Torani Puremade Caramel. While you're at it, use a wedge of a caramel apple instead of a plain apple slice for garnish!
    • More cinnamon flavor - try using cinnamon simple syrup instead of the Amaretto for a stronger cinnamon flavor.
    • Non-alcoholic version - if you're avoiding alcohol, you can just replace the vodka with additional apple cider. Try out this Monin Maple Spice syrup in place of the Amaretto. You can also use non-alcoholic bitters, like Fee Brothers cardamom bitters.
    • Sparkling Cider - instead of using fresh cider, try using sparkling apple cider instead. Shaking with ice would reduce the carbonation, so if you want to try this, stir the vodka, Amaretto and bitters with ice. Strain them into the glass and top it off with the sparkling cider.
    Slightly overhead view of an Apple Cider Martini on a countertop. The drink is in a Martini glass and has a cinnamon stick and apple slice garnish. In the background are some apples, cinnamon sugar, Amaretto and vodka.

    Equipment

    You'll need just a few basic bar tools to make this, like a jigger, a cocktail shaker, and a large martini glass.

    A small dish to hold the cinnamon sugar will come in handy too!

    If you need any new bar equipment, I really love the products from A Bar Above! You can get 10% off using my discount code, LKDrinks.

    Instructions

    Start out by preparing your garnishes. Cut a slice out of an apple, and then cut a slit in it that you'll use to attach it to the glass rim. Set it aside.

    Use the rest of the apple to rub around the rim of your glass to get it wet.

    Hands cutting an apple in half.
    Hands using a cut apple to wet the rim of a martini glass.

    Dip the rim of your glass into the cinnamon sugar, turning to coat the whole glass.

    Set the glass aside. Then, add your Amaretto to the cocktail shaker.

    Hand dipping the rim of a martini glass into cinnamon sugar to coat it.
    Hand pouring amaretto into a cocktail shaker.

    Add the vodka and the apple cider to the cocktail shaker.

    Hand pouring vodka into a cocktail shaker.
    Hand adding apple cider to a cocktail shaker.

    Add the cardamom bitters, and then fill the shaker with ice.

    Hand adding cardamom bitters to a cocktail shaker.
    Hand adding ice to a cocktail shaker.

    Seal up the cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously about 15 to 20 times. Then, strain the drink into the prepared martini glass.

    Hands shaking a cocktail in a cocktail shaker.
    Hand straining a cocktail into a cocktail glass with a cinnamon sugar rim.

    Add your apple slice to the rim of the glass, and then add a whole cinnamon stick to the glass as another garnish. Serve and enjoy!

    Hand adding apple slice to the rim of a martini glass filled with amber colored liquid.
    Hand adding a cinnamon stick to a cocktail with an apple slice garnish.

    Hint: If you want to chill your cocktail glass, I recommend adding the sugar rim, and then putting it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Or, chill it first, then add the rim and put it back in the fridge while you make the drink.

    Top tip - Batching

    This is a great drink to make a big batch of for a fall celebration! Just multiply all the ingredients by the number of cocktails you want to make, and add in ½ ounce of water per cocktail (or you could add in additional apple cider instead).

    Mix everything in a large pitcher and keep it in the fridge. You can mix it ahead of time, even a day or two ahead. Add the sugar rim to each glass and a cinnamon stick, and set the pitcher out over ice for your guests to enjoy.

    Overhead view of an Apple cider martini on a countertop. The drink has a cinnamon sugar rim, a cinnamon stick and an apple slice garnish.

    📖 Recipe

    Slightly overhead view of an Apple Cider Martini on a countertop. The drink is in a Martini glass and has a cinnamon stick and apple slice garnish. In the background are some apples, cinnamon sugar, Amaretto and vodka.

    Apple Cider Martini

    Kimberly Salem
    This Apple Cider Martini is the perfect fall cocktail, with vodka, fresh apple cider and Amaretto liqueur.
    5 from 1 vote
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 242 kcal

    Equipment

    • Jigger or measuring cup
    • Cocktail shaker and strainer
    • Cocktail serving glass (Martini glass)
    • Small dish (for cinnamon sugar)
    • Knife and cutting board (if making apple slice garnish)

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon cinnamon sugar (optional - for rim of glass)
    • 2 ounces fresh apple cider
    • 2 ounces vodka
    • ½ ounce Amaretto liqueur
    • 3 dashes cardamom bitters (or use a pinch of ground cinnamon)
    • 1 slice apple (optional - for garnish)
    • 1 stick whole cinnamon (optional - for garnish)

    Instructions
     

    Garnish Prep

    • Cut a slice of fresh apple and then cut a slit in the apple. The slit is where you will attach it to the rim of the glass. Set it aside.
    • Use either some water or the cut apple to wet the rim of your cocktail glass.
    • Add the cinnamon sugar to your small dish and dip the rim of the glass into the cinnamon sugar. Turn the glass and re-dip to coat the whole rim.
    • Set the glass aside while you make the drink.

    Cocktail

    • Add the apple cider, vodka, Amaretto and cardamom bitters to a cocktail shaker.
    • Fill the shaker with ice.
    • Shake well, about 15-20 good shakes.
    • Strain the drink into your prepared glass.
    • Add the apple slice to the rim of your glass, and add in the cinnamon stick before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 242kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 0.1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 15mgPotassium: 62mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword alcohol, Amaretto, apple cider, cardamom, cinnamon, vodka
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