Nowadays, apples and apple cider are available all year round, but there's definitely something about fall. As the weather cools and the leaves start to turn, it just seems natural to think of comfort foods made with crisp, sweet apples. Or in this case, comforting cocktails made with sweet, delicious apple cider.
Gingerbread Apple Martini
- 1 oz. vanilla vodka
- 2 oz. Canton Ginger Liqueur
- 2 oz. apple cider
- Several drops lemon juice
- Orange zest
- Agave syrup
- Graham cracker crumbs
Rim a cocktail glass with agave syrup and graham cracker crumbs. Combine the remaining ingredients except for the orange zest in a shaker half-filled with cracked ice, and shake to chill. Strain into the prepared glass, and top with freshly grated orange zest.
Dubonnet Kiss
This easily sippable cocktail was created by master mixologist Dale DeGroff.
- 1 oz. Dubonnet Rouge vermouth (sweet)
- 1/2 oz. sour apple schnapps
- 1 oz. apple cider
- 1/2 oz. sour mix
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, and shake briskly. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve garnished with a thin slice of red apple.
Cinnamon Toast
- 1 1/4 oz. Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
- 6 oz. hot apple cider
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. cinnamon
Rim a heat-safe glass with sugar and cinnamon. Add hot apple cider and spiced rum. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and an apple slice. Note: Spiced rum and apple cider also make a delicious cold drink. Combine 5 oz. apple cider and 3 oz. rum over ice in a highball glass.
Dear Abby
- 5 oz. apple cider
- 2 oz. brandy
- 1 oz. Malibu Spiced Rum
- 1 oz. vodka
- 1/2 oz. gin
Build all ingredients over ice in a tall glass.
Devonia Cocktail
- 1 1/2 oz. gin
- 3 oz. apple cider
- 4 dashes orange bitters
Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker and shake to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Apple Cider Au Pear
- 3/4 oz. brandy
- 1/2 oz. pear brandy
- 4-5 oz. apple cider
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
Fill a shaker with ice. Add the brandy, pear brandy, and apple cider, with two dashes ground cinnamon and one dash ground nutmeg. Shake to combine. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass, and serve garnished with an apple slice.
Apple Cider Martini
There are several versions of Apple Cider Martinis, some fairly involved. This one is quick and easy, but gets to the same place.
- 2 oz. vodka
- 1 oz. apple cider
- 1/2 oz. cinnamon liqueur
- 1/2 oz. apple brandy
Rinse a chilled cocktail with the apple brandy and dump it out. Combine vodka, apple cider, and cinnamon liqueur in a shaker half-filled with ice, and shake until icy cold. Strain into the prepared glass. Serve garnished with an apple slice.
Looking for more ways to enjoy apple cider this fall? Try hot apple cider recipes or nonalcoholic hot apple cider drinks.
Angie Rayfield - Angie is a self-taught beer aficionado, who cheerfully confesses, "I didn't always love beer. In fact, I hated it. I only learned to drink ...
