Sour Apple Martini

Made with vodka, sour apple schnapps, apple juice, and zesty lemon juice, this sour apple martini delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and sourness.

When it comes to cocktails, a go-to flavor of mine is apple - from an apple cider cocktail to an apple fizz to an apple mojito to an apple cider Moscow mule.

But I can't resist a good martini. Beyond their elegant appearance, these cocktails excel at infusing fruity flavors and this appletini is no exception.

Why This Recipe Works

• Aesthetic appeal - With its vibrant green hue this cocktail just looks cool.
• Seasonal appeal - Apple martinis can be enjoyed year-round, but they shine particularly in the fall. Even though there aren't fresh apples used, people just associate apples with the fall season.
• Simple - With just 4 ingredients, you couldn't ask for an easier cocktail to prepare.

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Ingredient Notes
• Ingredient Swaps
• Step-by-Step Photos
• FAQs
• Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
• Other Martinis
• Sour Apple Martini

Ingredient Notes

• Vodka - Choose a high-quality vodka that is smooth and neutral in flavor. The vodka provides the base spirit, so its quality is crucial.
• Sour apple schnapps - Opt for a reputable brand of sour apple schnapps to infuse that distinct apple flavor. The schnapps adds sweetness and a touch of intensity to the cocktail.
• Apple juice - Use fresh and preferably unfiltered apple juice to enhance the natural sweetness of the cocktail.
• Lemon juice - Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright and zesty citrus kick. Pre-packaged lemon juice can lack freshness and flavor.

Ingredient Swaps

As with any recipe, you can mix up the ingredients if you want. Some variations include:

• Swap vodka with a light rum or gin for a different base spirit, each imparting its unique character to the cocktail.
• Speaking of vodka, you could try apple vodka for even more flavor.
• Experiment with different fruit liqueurs like peach or pear schnapps to create a unique twist for a different flavor profile.
• Try pear juice instead of apple juice for a subtle change in flavor. Cranberry juice can also add a tart element.
• You can try lime juice instead of lemon juice for a tangier twist on the classic martini.
• To make the martini sweeter, add a touch of simple syrup or maple syrup.

Step-by-Step Photos

Please note full ingredient list and instructions can be found in recipe card below.

Add all of the ingredients to the cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 20 seconds before straining in a chilled martini glass.

FAQs

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

• Use apple vodka if you want even more apple flavor.
• Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright and zesty citrus kick. It adds a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of the pears.
• Shake the ingredients vigorously with ice to achieve proper dilution and a frothy texture.
• Place the martini glass in the freezer for an hour so it keeps your martini chilled.
• Garnishes like a thin apple slice, cinnamon sugar on the rim, or a cinnamon stick can enhance both the visual appeal and flavor of your martini.
• If using apple slices for garnish, brush with some lemon juice so they don't brown.

Other Martinis

If you’ve tried this sour apple martini or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.