Celebrate Fall with an Apple Cider Martini

Are you looking for a cocktail to share for Thanksgiving? I have an Apple Cider Martini that will kick your celebration off to a festive start.

We love to find new beverages to toast a special occasion. With Thanksgiving literally around the corner, this cocktail should be on your menu.

This Apple Cider Martini will impress your guests and get the party atmosphere going before sitting down to a turkey dinner.

Before we get started with the Apple Cider Martini, I wanted to remind you of another favorite fall drink, The Pumpkin Spice Martini.

While The Pumpkin Spice Martini could be a before-dinner or dessert drink, the Apple Cider Martini falls into the before category. But, feel free to drink it whenever you prefer.

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I found the Apple Cider Martini last year on the A Couple Cooks site. It sounded like something Sweet Shark would like to make for me to test.

So on a Saturday, he purchased the one ingredient that we didn’t have at home – apple cider. That evening, he gathered the rest of the ingredients and made the drink for me.

I loved it from the first sip. The subtle scent of cinnamon lets you know immediately that this is a fall drink. The apple cider adds a lovely flavor. A touch of orange liqueur is balanced by the tartness of fresh lemon juice.

Last year I hosted my tennis team for an end~of~season party. In the spirit of the occasion, Sweet Shark made an Apple Cider Martini for everyone ~ sorry I didn’t take a pic. I was busy playing hostess.

Needless to say, the cocktail was a big hit. (Everyone wanted the recipe – I’ll be sending them this link!)

Ingredients for the Apple Cider Martini

• apple cider
• vodka
• Cointreau or triple sec
• fresh lemon juice
• pure maple syrup or simple syrup
• ground cinnamon
• apple slice for garnish

Yes, I know this is a huge bottle of apple cider, but, as you can see, we have put a huge dent in it.

Use the vodka of your choice. We used Tito’s because, well, it’s from Texas.

TIP: For the best cocktails, always use freshly squeezed lemon juice – or any juice – in cocktails. Pre-squeezed juice will never taste as good as freshly squeezed juice.

For my apple, I used a variety called Envy. Our local Central Market carries a couple of dozen varieties of apples. I chose this one because it was described as not turning brown.

Tools to Make the Apple Cider Martini

You need just a few tools to make any martini. Here are some that Sweet Shark always keeps in his bar.

• cocktail shaker
• juicer for lemon juice ~ we’ve had this one for a long time; best one ever.
• paring knife to slice apple for garnish
• small cutting board for slicing apple and lemon
• small cocktail measuring cup (or a tablespoon and teaspoon measuring spoons)
• martini glass per serving

This recipe makes one cocktail. You can use a small or large cocktail shaker.

TIP: Keep your martini glasses in the freezer for extra cold drinks – they taste so much better.

It takes just a few minutes to make the Apple Cider Martini.

NOTE: If you are making multiple martinis, you can multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need. Combine the ingredients in a pitcher with ice and stir until very cold. Strain the ice out of the martini; then place the pitcher in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Apple Cider Martini to Celebrate Thanksgiving

I hope that you have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving with family and friends. This Apple Cider Martini should get your celebration off to a great start. Be sure to PIN it for your beverage collection.