Have you ever tried an Apple Martini? If you haven’t, we wouldn’t be surprised. The Apple Martini, also known as the Appletini, is a sweet and sour sipper bursting with flavors of apple candy. It rose to fame in 1997—around the same time that the Spice Girls were played everywhere, and the first-ever Men in Black movie hit screens.
Apple Martini
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
02
2.
Pour in the vodka, apple schnapps, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon juice
03
3.
Shake until frosty
04
4.
Strain into a chilled Martini glass
05
5.
Garnish with apple slices
06
6.
Serve
Easy Apple Martini recipe
Apple Martini ingredients are pretty straightforward—vodka, apple schnapps, orange liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon juice, and the recipe is easy to master. If you can’t resist a good apple, this Martini recipe was made for you!
Who created the Apple Martini?
The story goes that a bartender named Adam Karsten shook up the first batch of electric green Apple Martini mix in a bar called Lola’s in West Hollywood—and it was an instant crowd-pleaser. Legend has it that this carefree and fun little drink became a bit too popular for its own good, with the county sheriff dropping by the bar to complain about the sudden increase of very merry people all around town. Once you taste one, you’ll understand why. Apple Martinis are so moreish that you’ll want to make this cocktail again and again.
Is schnapps required for Apple Martini?
Absolutely, Schnapps is definitely required for an Apple Martini! Schnapps are grain-based distilled spirits mixed with different fruity flavors. Some of the best fruity cocktails contain Schnapps, and in this case, apple Schnapps is the hero of this drink.
Apple Schnapps is made from fresh apples and other herbs and infusions depending on the brand you go for, giving it a uniquely crisp and tart apple taste. Use it sparingly though as it can easily overpower other flavors.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Expect these little sippers to pack a punch. While they don’t taste strong, the average Apple Martini recipe has around 25-30% ABV, so go slowly! And if you want a little less ‘tini’ in your Apple Martini, adjust the recipe to 1oz vodka and omit the orange liqueur.
The perfect Apple Martini should be a little sweet, a little sour, and a little tart, just like an apple candy.
If you’re not a vodka fan, you could try your hand at making cocktails with apple juice and whiskey. If you're a cider fan, try our recipe for a Bourbon Apple Cider cocktail.
