Apple Cider Martini

This Apple Cider Martini is an easy, cozy cocktail that's perfect for fall sipping. It's crisp, a little bit sweet, and takes just a few minutes to shake up for a happy hour at home or for a fall gathering.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why this recipe works
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 🍎 Recipe tips
• 🥳 How to make a big batch
• 🎉 Recipe variations
• 🍹 More apple cocktail recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Give me all the apple cider in the fall. Cold, warm, used in a cookie recipe, incorporated into dinner, or turned into a delicious cocktail. I want it all.

The seasonal juice really can be incorporated into so many fall recipes... But at the end of the day, it's best for drinking!

This apple cider martini is perfect for serving at all your fall events, including harvest festivals, Halloween parties, and even friendsgiving and Thanksgiving dinner.

❤️ Why this recipe works

Balanced fall flavors: this cocktail is the perfect mix of crisp apple cider, with a little acidity from lemon juice, and a touch of deep maple flavor.

Strong, but smooth: the apple cider and vodka are poured in equal parts, so it's not a weak drink, but it's still incredibly smooth and drinkable. Of course, you can adjust how much vodka you use in the drink.

Just a touch of maple: I love adding just a tiny bit of maple syrup for some extra sweetness and deeper fall flavor. But be careful not to add too much as I've found the maple flavor can overpower the drink if too much is used.

Cinnamon sugar rim: this cocktail is made even more delicious when you add a cinnamon sugar rim to your glass!

Fun garnish options: there are lots of fun ways you can garnish your cocktail glass. I love cutting apple rounds and then using a small star cookie cutter on them.

Simple for fall entertaining: if you're having friends over for a fall celebration and want a low-stress cocktail, this one is super easy to mix up. You can even make a big batch of it.

🗒 Ingredients

Here's everything you need for this tasty apple cider martini! (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):

• Granulated sugar: for rimming the glass
• Ground cinnamon: for rimming the glass
• Apple cider
• Vodka
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Maple syrup

🍎 Recipe tips

This is one of the easiest, most simple cocktails; but here are some tips for making it even more delicious!

• Definitely do the cinnamon sugar rim on your glasses!! If you're making the cocktail for company, you can prep the glasses ahead of time. It makes the drink even more fun and delicious.

• Just add a dash of maple syrup to the glass. The first time I made this, I added a ¼ ounce (1 ½ tsp) and even that was too much- the maple flavor started to take over. I like to use closer to ½ teaspoon to get a little extra sweetness and deeper flavor.

• Feel free to play with proportions of ingredients. If you don't want a strong drink, you can cut down on the vodka. If you want a bigger alcohol punch, add more.

• Add a fun garnish to your cocktail. I like to slice apple rounds and then cut out a star in them with a star cookie cutter. You could also cut out leaves, apples, or the design of your choice.

• Float the rounds on the drink or put the cut-outs on a cocktail pick.

🥳 How to make a big batch

If you're making these apple cider martinis for a gathering, you may not have the time to shake them up one by one.

But it's easy to make a big batch of this cocktail.

Here's what I recommend for serving 8:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar: for rimming glasses
• 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: for rimming glasses
• 2 cups apple cider
• 2 cups vodka
• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 teaspoon maple syrup

Prep the rim of the glasses in advance, so they're good to go when you're ready to pour your cocktails.

In a large pitcher, stir together apple cider, vodka, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Stir well and put in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving.

Be sure to stir again before pouring about 4 ounces into each glass.

You can even mix up this big batch cocktail a day in advance, as long as you keep it in the fridge.

🎉 Recipe variations

If you love apple cider, but are looking for something a little bit different in terms of flavors, try some of these ideas:

• Swap the vodka out for spiced rum or bourbon.
• Add ginger syrup or ginger liqueur.
• Replace half the apple cider with sparkling cider.
• Or add a splash of seltzer water for a little bubbly.
• Add caramel syrup instead of maple syrup or add a caramel drizzle over the drink.
• Steep apple cider with a chai tea bag to add spicy chai flavor.
• Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or your favorite seasonal spice.

There are SO many things you can do to this drink to suit it to your tastes.

🍹 More apple cocktail recipes

Apples, apple cider, and apple juice make the perfect cocktails in the fall! Here are some of my favorite drink recipes:

And if you make this easy apple simple syrup, you can add it to any of your favorite drinks!

Be sure to enjoy fresh apple cider season while it sticks around!

📖 Recipe