It’s the weekend! Time for cocktails! The apple inspiration continues. As we head into holiday season, or more like party season, I like to create seasonal cocktails for my social events. I think there should be a signature cocktail at parties along with all the other wine, beer, etc. It adds that extra special touch to your event. They don’t have to be super complicated either. So easy to come up with a winning combination.
Since we are still in apple season and fall, I thought it would be fun to create a cocktail to celebrate the harvest. Apple cider is in almost every store right now. I wanted to create a martini with those fall flavors kicked up a notch with the cinnamon and sugar rim, drizzle of caramel sauce and a candied apple slice garnish!
The candied apple slices are easy too. Don’t be intimidated. Simply add one cup of water and one cup of sugar to a large sauce pan. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and it comes to a boil. Slice your apple thin. Place apple slices in the boiling water and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer away for 15 minutes. Pre-heat your oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. They will become delicious crisp apple chips.
Now there are so many options for flavored vodka, every flavor imaginable. I love vanilla flavor and it basically goes with everything, so a combination of vanilla vodka and caramel vodka is what I went for. You don’t have to use both, but I highly recommend adding the vanilla into the mix. Rounds out the flavor. Of course I had to have caramel with the apple cider, duh, goes together like PB&J. With all the sweetness going on between the flavored vodkas, caramel sauce and cider I wanted to balance it out with a topper of Cava. Plus, bubbles just make anything a party! That’s it, so simple yet perfect for any event this season.
- 4 oz vanilla flavored vodka
- 4 oz caramel flavored vodka
- 8 oz apple cider
- Cava or dry sparkling wine
- Caramel sauce for drizzle (store bought or homemade)
- Apple slices for garnish
- Cinnamon and Sugar for coating
- Combine the sugar and cinnamon on a plate
- Wet the rims of the martini glass and dip into the cinnamon and sugar mixture to coat the rim.
- Drizzle caramel sauce along the sides of the glass and place apple garnish on the bottom of each glass.
- In a large cocktail shaker with ice combine the vodkas and apple cider.
- Shake to combine. Pour equally into martini glasses ¾ of the way full.
- Top each glass off with the Cava.
- Enjoy!
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