Marry This Caramel Apple Martini is a sweet and easy recipe, which is made with crisp apple cider and rich butterscotch schnapps. It’s the perfect fall cocktail, a simple yet impressive drink ready in just 5 minutes.
Jump to RecipeCaramel Apple Martini Ingredients
A simple list for the ultimate festive fall cocktail.
- Caramel sauce, for the rim
- 4 oz. apple cider
- 3 oz. vodka
- 2 oz. butterscotch schnapps
- Ice
- Thin apple slices, for garnish (optional)
How To Make a Caramel Apple Martini
A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully simple and festive drink.
- Chill and Prep the Glasses: Place two martini glasses in the freezer for about 15 minutes to get them nicely chilled. Once chilled, dip the rims of the glasses in a shallow plate of caramel sauce, or drizzle the caramel inside the glasses for a beautiful effect.
- Shake the Cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the apple cider, vodka, and butterscotch schnapps.
- Serve and Garnish: Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is very cold. Strain the mixture evenly between the two prepared martini glasses. Garnish with a thin slice of apple, if you like, and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
For the perfect, bar-quality caramel apple martini.
- How to get the perfect caramel rim? The key is to use a thick caramel sauce. A thin, runny sauce will just slide down the glass. Chilling the glass first also helps the caramel to set up quickly and stay in place.
- Why shake for so long? Shaking a cocktail with ice does two things: it chills the drink and it slightly dilutes it, which is essential for a well-balanced cocktail. Shaking vigorously for a full 30 seconds ensures it’s perfectly chilled and has the right texture.
- What’s the best apple cider to use? For the best, most authentic flavor, use a fresh, unfiltered apple cider, which you can often find in the produce section during the fall. A clear, spiced apple juice will also work but will have a different flavor.
- Can I make this as a batch for a party? Yes! You can mix a large batch of the apple cider, vodka, and schnapps in a pitcher and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, just pour individual portions into an ice-filled shaker, give it a quick shake, and strain into your prepared glasses.
What To Serve With a Caramel Apple Martini
Perfect appetizers to pair with this sweet, festive cocktail.
This sweet dessert martini is a treat on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with salty and savory appetizers:
- A sharp cheddar cheese and cracker platter
- Salty, buttery popcorn
- Toasted nuts or simple pretzels
- A baked brie appetizer
How To Store a Caramel Apple Martini
This cocktail is best enjoyed immediately.
- Best Served Fresh: Like most shaken cocktails, a Caramel Apple Martini is at its best when it’s freshly made and ice-cold. It is not suitable for storage after being shaken with ice.
Caramel Apple Martini Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per martini.
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Fat: 0 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes, for a delicious mocktail version, you can combine 4 oz of apple cider with 1 oz of a non-alcoholic spirit (like Seedlip) and 2 oz of a non-alcoholic butterscotch syrup. Shake with ice and serve as directed.
Butterscotch schnapps is key to the “caramel apple” flavor. If you don’t have it, you could try another sweet liqueur like a caramel-flavored vodka or even a splash of a nutty liqueur like Frangelico for a different but delicious twist.
Yes! As the recipe tip suggests, a cinnamon-sugar rim is a fantastic alternative. Just dip the rim of the glass in a little apple cider to moisten it, then dip it into a shallow plate of cinnamon-sugar.
Try More Recipes:
- Chocolate Bourbon Caramel Cups Recipe
- Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
- Caramelized Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Caramel Apple Martini Recipe
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutes320
kcalAn easy and festive fall cocktail that tastes just like a liquid caramel apple, made with apple cider, vodka, and butterscotch schnapps, and served in a caramel-rimmed glass.
Ingredients
Caramel sauce, for the rim
4 oz. apple cider
3 oz. vodka
2 oz. butterscotch schnapps
Ice
Apple slices, for garnish
Directions
- Chill two martini glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Dip the rims of the chilled glasses in caramel sauce.
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add the apple cider, vodka, and butterscotch schnapps to the shaker.
- Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until ice-cold.
- Strain the mixture evenly between the two prepared glasses.
- Garnish with a thin apple slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chilling the martini glasses before you start is a key step for a perfectly cold cocktail.
- Using a high-quality, fresh apple cider will give you the best, most authentic fall flavor.
- For a crowd, you can pre-mix the liquid ingredients in a pitcher and shake individual servings with ice as needed.
- Don’t be afraid to shake the cocktail vigorously; this is what makes it perfectly chilled and balanced.
