10 Fall Apple Cocktails: From Classic Appletinis to Warm Cider Drinks

Cocktail Overview

Fall brings with it the perfect opportunity to explore the versatile world of apple-based cocktails. From the sophisticated bite of a classic Appletini to the warming comfort of spiced cider drinks, apples provide a fantastic foundation for both cold and hot cocktails. This collection spans the spectrum from crisp and refreshing to rich and warming, perfect for any autumn occasion.

These recipes showcase different aspects of apple flavors - from fresh pressed juice to craft cider, and from apple brandy to cinnamon-apple infusions. Each cocktail has been crafted to balance the natural sweetness of apples with complementary spirits and spices, creating sophisticated drinks that elevate the humble apple to cocktail-hour stardom.

Essential Ingredients

Base Spirits

• Vodka: premium quality for Appletinis
• Bourbon: for warming cocktails
• Calvados or Apple Brandy: for traditional apple spirits
• Spiced Rum: for tropical-meets-autumn fusions
• Gin: for herbal apple combinations

Apple Components

• Apple cider: fresh, unfiltered
• Apple juice: clear, filtered
• Hard cider: dry variety
• Apple brandy
• Green apple liqueur

Mixers & Aromatics

• Fresh lemon juice
• Cinnamon sticks
• Whole cloves
• Star anise
• Ginger beer
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Cranberry juice

The Cocktails

1. Classic Appletini

• 2 oz premium vodka
• 1 oz green apple liqueur
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• Garnish: thin apple slice or ball

Instructions:

• Combine ingredients in shaker with ice
• Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
• Strain into chilled martini glass
• Float garnish

2. Warm Mulled Cider

• 4 oz apple cider
• 1½ oz bourbon
• ¼ oz honey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 star anise

Instructions:

• Heat cider with spices until steaming
• Stir in bourbon and honey
• Strain into mug
• Garnish with fresh cinnamon stick

3. Apple Cider Mule

• 2 oz vodka
• 3 oz apple cider
• ½ oz lime juice
• Ginger beer
• Garnish: apple slice, cinnamon stick

Instructions:

• Build in copper mug over ice
• Top with ginger beer
• Stir gently
• Add garnishes

4. Harvest Apple Sangria

• 1 bottle dry white wine
• 1 cup apple brandy
• 2 cups apple cider
• Diced apples, oranges, pears
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise

Instructions:

• Combine all ingredients
• Refrigerate 4-24 hours
• Serve over ice
• Add fresh fruit garnish

5. Spiced Apple Old Fashioned

• 2 oz bourbon
• ½ oz apple cider
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 2 dashes bitters
• Garnish: apple slice, cinnamon stick

Instructions:

• Muddle sugar with bitters
• Add bourbon and cider
• Stir with ice
• Strain over large ice cube
• Add garnishes

6. Apple Brandy Sour

• 2 oz Calvados
• 1 oz lemon juice
• ½ oz simple syrup
• 1 egg white
• Garnish: apple fan, cinnamon dust

Instructions:

• Dry shake ingredients
• Add ice, shake again
• Double strain
• Add garnishes

7. Hard Cider Spritz

• 3 oz dry hard cider
• 1 oz aperitif
• 1 oz club soda
• Garnish: apple slice, thyme sprig

Instructions:

• Build in wine glass over ice
• Stir gently
• Add garnishes

8. Apple Cider Mimosa

• 3 oz dry sparkling wine
• 2 oz apple cider
• Dash of cinnamon
• Garnish: apple slice

Instructions:

• Pour cider into champagne flute
• Top with sparkling wine
• Add garnish

9. Maple Apple Hot Toddy

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz hot apple cider
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 dashes bitters
• Garnish: lemon wheel, cinnamon stick

Instructions:

• Combine in mug
• Stir until maple dissolves
• Add garnishes

10. Apple Gin Fizz

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz apple cider
• ½ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz honey syrup
• Club soda
• Garnish: apple slice, rosemary sprig

Instructions:

• Shake first four ingredients
• Strain over ice
• Top with soda
• Add garnishes

Pro Tips

• Use fresh, high-quality apple cider for best results
• Adjust sweetness based on cider variety
• Chill glasses for cold cocktails
• Pre-warm mugs for hot drinks
• Use fresh citrus juice, never bottled
• Experiment with different apple varieties for garnishes
• Consider both color and flavor when choosing garnishes

Garnishing Guide

• Apple fans: slice thinly, fan out
• Cinnamon sugar rims: wet rim, dip in mixture
• Apple balls: use melon baller
• Dried apple chips: dehydrate thin slices
• Herb sprigs: slap to release oils
• Citrus twists: express oils over drink

Make-Ahead Tips

• Prep garnishes up to 4 hours ahead
• Mix sangria 24 hours in advance
• Infuse spirits up to 1 week ahead
• Make simple syrups 2 weeks ahead
• Prepare spice packets for mulled drinks

FAQs

1. What’s the best apple cider to use?

   • Fresh, unfiltered cider
   • Local if possible
   • No added sugars
   • Pasteurized for safety

2. Can these be made non-alcoholic?

   • Yes, substitute spirits with:
   • Extra cider
   • Sparkling water
   • Non-alcoholic spirits
   • Herb-infused syrups

3. How long can I store garnishes?

   • Fresh apple slices: 1-2 hours
   • Citrus twists: 4 hours
   • Dried garnishes: several days
   • Herbs: 4-6 hours

4. Can I batch these for parties?

   • Most cold cocktails: yes, up to 4 hours ahead
   • Hot cocktails: keep base warm, add spirits per serving
   • Sangria: ideal for batching
   • Keep garnishes separate

These cocktails showcase the versatility of apples in fall drinking, from sophisticated cocktail parties to cozy evenings by the fire. Each recipe can be adjusted to taste and occasion, making them perfect for any autumn gathering.

Cheers to fall sipping!