Looking for a tasty fall cocktail? This apple cider martini is the perfect blend of sweet cider with a hint of tart citrus, and is incredibly simple to make.

With just a few ingredients, this apple martini balances sweet apple cider with bright lemon juice and the smooth kick of vodka. A hint of lemon adds a touch of citrus that ties it all together.
Whether you’re serving it for a fall dinner party, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, this apple cider martini is a delicious twist on a classic martini. For a drink made with apple juice instead, check out my Appletini.
Ingredients
You’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make this easy drink:
- Apple cider – Sweet and crisp, this is the star of the cocktail. Use fresh apple cider for the best flavor.
- Vodka – Smooth and clean, vodka lets the apple cider shine while giving the drink its martini kick.
- Fresh lemon – A squeeze of lemon juice adds acidity and keeps the cocktail from being too sweet.
- Apple slice or lemon wedge – optional garnish for a finishing touch.
Bar Equipment
Cocktail shaker – Essential for mixing and chilling the drink until it’s icy cold. A shaker with a built-in strainer makes pouring easy.
Measuring glass – A shot glass measuring cup is great for quickly seeing ounces at a glance.
Martini glasses – The finishing touch. Serve your apple cider cocktail in a chilled martini glass to make it feel extra special.
How To Make It
Step 1: Prep the glass
Chill a martini glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes. For a festive touch, rim it with cinnamon sugar before pouring the drink. The frosted glass usually provides enough condensation for the sugar mixture to stick, but you can also run a lemon wedge around the rim first.
Step 2: Mix the drink
Add apple cider, vodka and lemon to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until the mixture is nicely chilled, about 15 seconds.
Step 3: Serve it up
Strain into your prepared martini glass. Garnish with a thin apple slice floated on top, or place an apple and lemon slice on the rim.
Variations
There are lots of easy ways to change up this apple cider martini.
- Spiced – Use cinnamon vodka, spiced simple syrup or add a pinch of warm spices like ground cinnamon and ginger to the shaker. A cinnamon stick stirrer makes a fun garnish too.
- Caramel – Swap in caramel vodka and a drizzle caramel sauce inside the glass before pouring for a caramel apple cider martini.
- Citrus – Add a splash of Cointreau or triple sec, and an extra squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a hint of citrus.
- Sparkling – Stir the drink in a pitcher, then top it with prosecco or sparkling apple cider for a bubbly finish.
More Apple Cider Cocktail Recipes
If you like this apple cider martini, you’ll want to try these easy apple cider drinks too.
Caramel Vodka Apple Cider Cocktail – Cider shaken with caramel vodka and a splash of regular vodka for a festive sip with caramel apple flavor.
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktail – A smooth mix of caramel apple cider and bourbon with a touch of citrus for balance. Simple, classic, and perfect for sipping.
Apple Cider Margarita – A fall twist on the margarita made with tequila, apple cider, and a little maple syrup, finished with a pumpkin spice and sugar rim.
Apple Cider Mimosa – A brunch favorite blends apple cider, in place of orange juice, with champagne for a light, fruity drink.
Apple Cider Martini
Equipment
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- 3 ounces apple cider
- 2 ounces vodka
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- Add ice, apple cider and vodka to a cocktail shaker. Squeeze a lemon wedge and add to shaker.
- Shake until blended. Then strain into a martini glass and garnish with an apple slice or lemon wedge.
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