APPLETINI.
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The apple appletini is one of those cocktails that never goes out of style. This vibrant green cocktail brings together the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors, making it an irresistible choice for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, enjoying a night out, or simply want to treat yourself to something special, this appletini recipe delivers every single time.

The Appletini should probably be in every bartender’s recipe book. It is a pretty popular cocktail and with good reason – it is absolutely delicious. The key to crafting an exceptional apple appletini lies in using high-quality ingredients and proper technique. When made correctly, this cocktail offers a crisp, refreshing taste that captures the essence of fresh green apples in every sip.  For fun, I’ll often serve this with an apple dessert like my Irish apple cake or my Gâteau Invisible (Invisible Apple Cake) to keep that whole apple thing going.  Delish!

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Appletini

Creating the perfect appletini requires just a handful of quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

Green Apple Vodka – The star of the show! This flavored vodka provides the dominant apple flavor and smooth alcohol base. The key to a good appletini is using a good quality green apple vodka. There are a couple on the market, but I’m fond of Smirnoff Green Apple for its clean taste and authentic apple flavor but pick your favorite.

Sour Mix – This sweet and tangy mixture balances the vodka’s strength and adds the perfect amount of tartness. You can buy sweet and sour mix pre-made or create your own with equal parts simple syrup and fresh lemon juice.  If you purchase it, make sure it is a good quality brand.

Apple Cider Or Apple Juice – This ingredient enhances the apple flavor and adds natural sweetness. Apple cider provides a more complex flavor profile, while apple juice offers a cleaner, sweeter taste.

Granny Smith Apple Slice – The classic garnish that not only looks beautiful but also adds a fresh apple aroma to each sip. These tart apples complement the cocktail’s flavor profile perfectly.

Lemon Half – Essential for preventing the apple garnish from browning. The citric acid keeps your garnish looking fresh and appealing.

Ice – Crucial for achieving the proper dilution and temperature. Always use fresh, clean ice for the best results.

Possible Ingredient Substitutions

While the classic appletini recipe is perfect as written, there are several substitutions you can make to customize your drink:

Vodka Alternatives: If you can’t find green apple vodka, use regular premium vodka and add a splash of apple schnapps or increase the apple juice slightly.

Sour Mix Substitutes: Create your own by mixing equal parts fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. For a lighter version, use fresh lime juice instead of lemon.

Apple Juice Variations: Try using sparkling apple cider for a fizzy twist, or use fresh-pressed apple juice for a more natural flavor.

Garnish Optionso: While Granny Smith apples are traditional, you can use Honeycrisp or Gala apple slices. For added flair, try dehydrated apple chips (you won’t have to worry about browning) or a thin apple fan.

How to Make This a Mocktail

Transform this cocktail into a delicious non-alcoholic version that everyone can enjoy:

Replace the green apple vodka with additional apple cider or apple juice (about 2-3 ounces total liquid). Add a splash of ginger ale or sparkling water for effervescence and complexity. Include a few drops of green food coloring if you want to maintain the signature green color. (Kids will especially love the effort and they’ll think they have joined the party!) Use the same garnish and serving method for an equally impressive presentation.

How to Make an Appletini

Follow these simple steps to create the perfect appletini:

Step 1: Add apple vodka, sour mix, and apple cider into a shaker filled with ice. The ice should fill about half the shaker to ensure proper chilling and dilution.

Step 2: Shake well for a good 60 seconds. This extended shaking time is crucial for achieving the proper temperature and texture. The drink should be ice-cold and slightly frothy when finished.

Step 3: Strain into a chilled martini glass using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any ice shards or pulp. The liquid should be crystal clear and beautifully colored.

Step 4: Take your slice of Granny Smith apple and rub it with the lemon half to keep it from turning brown. Make a small slit in the apple slice and place it on the rim of the glass. This creates an elegant presentation while preventing unsightly browning.

How to Serve Your Appletini

Presentation is everything when it comes to serving the perfect appletini. Here are the key elements for proper service:

Temperature: Make sure both the liquid and the glass are really cold. Chill your martini glass in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before serving. Never serve this anything but ice cold – the temperature is crucial to the drink’s appeal.

Glassware Options: While a traditional martini glass is the classic choice, you can also serve in a coupe glass for a vintage feel, or even a rocks glass over ice for a more casual presentation. I love these more contemporary stemless martini glasses too.

Garnish Timing: I like to garnish with a fresh Granny Smith apple slice, but warning: they do brown pretty quickly. Either serve immediately, or rub the slices with a lemon to help prevent browning, or eliminate the garnish completely if you prefer.

Serving Tips: Serve on a small cocktail napkin and consider adding a stirrer or cocktail pick for elegance.

Frequently Asked Questions

While you can pre-mix the liquid ingredients, it’s best to shake with ice and serve immediately for optimal taste and temperature.
Smirnoff Green Apple is my personal favorite, but other quality options include Absolut Green Apple and Three Olives Green Apple.
Rub the apple slice with fresh lemon juice immediately after cutting. This prevents oxidation and keeps your garnish looking fresh.
Absolutely! Mix equal parts fresh lemon juice and simple syrup for a fresher taste than store-bought versions.
standard appletini contains about 1.5-2 ounces of vodka, making it a moderately strong cocktail similar to other martinis.

These cocktails pair beautifully with light appetizers, seafood, salads, and desserts. The apple flavor complements both savory and sweet dishes.  Try it with my croque monsieur appetizers or cast iron scallops.

Yes! Multiply the recipe by the number of guests, mix everything except ice in an elegant pitcher, then shake individual servings with ice as needed.

Cloudiness usually results from inadequate straining or using low-quality ingredients. Always double-strain and use premium vodka for the clearest results.

Try This Recipe and Share Your Experience!

Have you made this delicious appletini recipe? I’d love to hear about your experience! Leave a comment and review below to let me know how your cocktail turned out. Did you try any of the ingredient substitutions, or did you stick with the classic recipe? Your feedback helps other readers and helps me continue creating amazing cocktail recipes for you.

Do you like martinis? If so, be sure to try some of my other favorites:

Each of these recipes offers its own unique flavor profile and is perfect for different occasions. Happy mixing, and cheers to creating the perfect appletini!

APPLETINI.

Appletini

It is apple season and what better way to show some love to the fruit than through a delicious cocktail.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine General
Servings 1 Serve

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 Oz.  Green Apple Vodka
  • 1 Oz.  Sour Mix
  • 2 Oz.  Apple Cider Or Apple Juice
  • Granny Smith apple slice
  • Lemon half
  • Ice

Instructions
 

  • Add apple vodka, sour mix and apple cider into a shaker filled with ice.
  • Shake well (a good 60 seconds). Strain into a chilled martini glass.
  • Take your slice of granny smith apple and rub it with the lemon half to keep it from turning brown. Make a small slit in the apple slice and place it on the rim of the glass.
Keyword happy hour, martinis
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!