Appletini

We think this apple cocktail, possibly immortalized by Scrubs character J.D., is wildly underrated. Think of it as a friendlier martini—it's still 100% booze and very vodka-forward, but it also has a perfect hint of apple sweetness. While we love serving these martinis as a fall cocktail, because of their bright green color, these drinks can even be a St. Patrick's Day treat. Warning: these babies are STRONG, so don't plan on going anywhere after consuming. 😂

What's in an appletini?
Along with the vodka, this apple martini has a few special key players. Apple schnapps bring a sweet-tart green apple flavor, while a splash of calvados (apple brandy) gives it a fiery kick. Can't find calvados? Try apple jack or your favorite brand of apple-flavored whiskey. Not into vodka? Swap it out for gin instead!

Do I have to use a cocktail shaker? 
If you're already into making your cocktails at home, it's best to ensure you have the right tools to prepare a good drink. Using a cocktail shaker will help keep the ice cubes insulated as you shake so that they don't melt down and make your drink too watery. It also has a handy strainer in the lid to help keep ice chunks from plopping into your glass. If you're in a pinch and you need an apple martini, use a thermos that has a tight seal to do your mixing and shaking.

Serving an appletini:
We recommend serving these babies straight up in a martini glass, with green apple slices for a garnish. We simply add green apple slices to the rim of our glasses for the easiest presentation, but feel free to get creative with it! You can also float a thin apple slice in your drink, like we did in our Big Apple Manhattan recipe. 

Made it? Let us know how it went in the comment section below!