Apple flavored alcoholic drinks are extremely popular in the fall when the harvest comes in, but that doesn't mean you have to wait for autumn to enjoy them. The combination of sweetness and tartness is delicious at any time of year. Of course, it always helps to have fresh apples as garnishes for your cocktails, and you can easily find them at your local produce or grocery store. All of the following recipes make one drink unless otherwise noted.
Alcoholic Apple Party Cocktails
Apple isn't just for ciders. These apple drinks will keep any party going.
Apple Kiss
The apple kiss is a strong, creamy drink.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce apple vodka
- 1 ounce apple schnapps
- 1 ounce cream
- Ice
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple vodka, apple schnapps, and cream.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with a mint sprig.
El Chupacabra
This drink is sweet and sour, just like a freshly picked green apple.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce apple vodka
- 2 ounces sour mix
- Ice
- Cherry and apple slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple vodka, and sour mix.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with cherry and apple slices.
Cider Martini
An extra tasty way to enjoy apples without the sour pucker flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces apple cider
- ¼ ounce allspice dram
- Ice
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vanilla vodka, apple cider, and allspice dram.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Summer Apple Alcoholic Drinks
These lighter drinks are perfect for the warmer months.
Grassy Knoll
This fizzy drink is popular with for a reason.
Ingredients
- 3 ounces green energy drink
- 1 ounce apple vodka
- Ice
- Apple slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail glass, add ice, green energy drink, and apple vodka.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with apple slice.
White Apple Sangria
Sangria is a punch made from wine and fruit. The apples in this drink contribute to both texture and flavor. This recipe makes enough to serve several people at a larger party at once.
Ingredients
- 6 cups white wine (2 - 750 milliliter bottles)
- 3 ounces brandy
- 2 ounces peach schnapps
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 12 ounces tonic
- Ice
- 2 cored and sliced apples
- Assorted fruit for garnish
Instructions
- In a pitcher, add white wine, brandy, peach schnapps, and sugar.
- Stir well to mix, until sugar is dissolved.
- Add ice, stir to chill, and refrigerate for two hours.
- Pour in tonic and serve.
- Garnish with sliced apples and fruit.
Baked Apple
When it's too warm to turn on the oven to make dessert, this cocktail hits the spot.
Ingredients
- Lime wedge and cinnamon sugar for rim
- 1 ounce bourbon
- 1 ounce vanilla vodka
- 2 ounces cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce cinnamon schnapps
- Ice
- Cinnamon stick for garnish
Instructions
- To prepare rim, rub the rim of the glass with the lime wedge.
- With the cinnamon sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, bourbon, vanilla vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and cinnamon schnapps.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into prepared glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with cinnamon stick.
Apple Sour
A creamier take on the appletini, the egg white adds richness to the traditional apple flavors.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- 1¼ ounces green apple schnapps
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Bitters for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, green apple schnapps, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with 2-3 drops of bitters.
Holiday Apple Cocktails
If you're having a holiday get-together, these drinks are great for a low-key gathering.
Apple Punch
Apple punch is red, fruity, and not too strong. Punch is a great option when you need multiple servings instead of mixing individual drinks.
Ingredients
- 3 cups passion fruit vodka (750mL bottle)
- 8 cups cranberry juice (2 quarts)
- 4¼ cups ginger ale (1 liter)
- 8 ounces pineapple juice
- 3 cups sparkling apple cider (25-ounce bottle)
- Ice
- Apple slice and berries for garnish
Instructions
- In a punch bowl, add ice, passion fruit vodka, cranberry juice, ginger ale, and pineapple juice.
- Stir well to mix and chill.
- Add sparkling apple cider, stir to mix.
- Garnish with apple slices and berries as desired.
Cider Bellini
Get fancy with apples and sparkling wine in this variation on the classic Champagne cocktail, the Bellini.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce apple cider
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce apple brandy
- 2 ounces sparkling wine
- Ice
- Cinnamon or allspice for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Chill a Champagne flute.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, apple cider, simple syrup, and apple brandy.
- Strain into Champagne flute.
- Garnish with cinnamon.
Harder Cider
If you think rum gives cider a kick, try making it with tequila. Multiple servings made at once make this recipe a hit for any holiday party.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces apple cider
- 4 ounces cranberry juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 ounces tequila
- 2 ounces orange liqueur
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, add apple cider, cranberry juice, and cinnamon sticks.
- Simmer on low for two hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add tequila and orange liqueur, allowing to simmer for ten minutes.
- Remove cinnamon sticks.
- Warm a mug by filling with hot water.
- After mug is warm to touch, pour out the water.
- Carefully ladle cider into mugs.
- Garnish with orange peel.
Apple Pie Old-Fashioned
A tasty treat perfect for when you want something sweet, but you've filled up on snacks already.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces bourbon
- 1 ounce apple cider
- ½ ounce vanilla vodka
- ¼ ounce cinnamon schnapps
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice and king cube
- 2 orange peels for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add ice, bourbon, apple cider, vanilla vodka, cinnamon schnapps, and bitters.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice or king cube.
- Express one orange peel over the drink by twisting the peel between your fingers, then run outside of peel along rim.
- Garnish with second orange peel.
Create an Apple Drink Yourself
Once you've tried all these drinks, make up one of your own or try other fall flavored cocktails. Or, try a Hennessey and apple cocktail, an applesauce cocktail or apple bomb! Maybe even a Crown apple drink. Almost any fruity concoction can benefit from the addition of apple. Don't forget to write your recipes down so you can make the winners again at your next get together.