The Grinch Martini Christmas Cocktail

Looking for a fun Christmas drink to serve at holiday parties? This Grinch martini cocktail is festive green and red with a delicious caramel apple flavor.

Unlike Grinch cocktails made with Midori, lime Kool-Aid, or orange juice and blue curaçao, this drink puts a holiday twist on the classic appletini. I've added a sweet caramel note and the Grinch's iconic green and red colors to make this Grinchtini.

So if you like caramel apples and caramel apple cider drinks, you'll love this bright, festive spin on the Grinch cocktail.

Here's what you'll need to make it

For this caramel apple martini, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients.

1. Sour apple liqueur – De Kuyper Pucker Sour Apple Schnapps is bright green and gives this drink its Grinchy color along with a sweet and sour kick.
2. Vodka – you have a couple of options here. Stick with plain vodka, or try flavored ones like cinnamon or vanilla to complement the caramel apple notes.
3. Apple juice – look for 100% apple juice with no other flavors added. Its natural sweetness replaces simple syrup.
4. Lemon juice – a touch of lemon juice, combined with the apple juice, stands in for sour mix. Fresh squeezed or bottled lemon juice will work.
5. Butterscotch schnapps – Buttershots butterscotch flavored liqueur adds the caramel flavor here. Adjust the amount depending on how sweet you like your drinks.

Bar Equipment

• Cocktail shaker: A stainless steel shaker with a built-in strainer works best for easy mixing and pouring.
• Measuring glass or jigger: Either works, but I find it easier to use this measuring glass with markings from half an ounce to four ounces.
• Martini glasses: Chilled martini or coupe glasses show off that gorgeous green color and the festive red rim.

How to make it

Step 1: Prep the glass

For the Grinch effect, rim the glass with coarse red sugar (sanding sugar). Squeeze a little honey or caramel sauce onto a small plate and dip the rim of the glass in it. Then dip the rim in a plate of the sugar. 

Step 2: Mix the drink

In a cocktail shaker, combine ice, apple schnapps, vodka, apple juice, butterscotch schnapps and lemon juice. Add ice cubes and shake until everything is icy cold and perfectly blended.

Step 3: Serve it up

Pour your chilled cocktail into the prepared glass. For an extra finishing touch, garnish with a maraschino cherry or red heart candies.

Variations

Want to customize your Grinchtini? Start with the basic recipe and tweak it to suit your taste.

• Less boozy – you can always skip the vodka.
• More boozy – skip the juice and add a little more butterscotch to replace the sweetness of the apple juice.
• Less sweet – you can adjust the amount of apple juice to taste. Start by cutting it in half and add from there until you find your perfect blend.  
• Sweeter – use less lemon juice or leave it out completely. Replace it with additional apple juice to taste.

However you make it, this Grinch martini recipe is sure to be a hit. It’s even great for Halloween—just swap the red rim for orange or black sugar.

Looking for more Christmas martinis?

Try these festive holiday favorites:

• White Chocolate Peppermint Martini
• Eggnog Martini
• Ultimate Chocolate Martini