• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Mitten Girl
  • Cocktails
    • Cocktail Syrups
    • Stock Your Bar
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
    • Portfolio
    • About
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Cocktail Recipes
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recent Posts » Cocktail Recipes

    Refreshing Apple Orchard Vodka Cocktail

    Published: Sep 29, 2020 · Updated: Mar 21, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 6
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my business!


    Apple vodka and elderflower liqueur keep this Apple Orchard Cocktail fresh and slightly floral.

    This cocktail has all the flavors of fall, and is completely flexible to enjoy with your favorite sweet, apple spirit. Apple Orchard cocktails can be deliciously made with apple liqueur or apple brandy, depending on your preference and what you have on hand.

    Apple Orchard Cocktail

    Don't have apple vodka? Can't find it? Make it! Core and slice an apple, place it in a 1 pint mason jar and fill the jar to the top with plain vodka. Cover and let it sit for 5-7 days. Strain it through a piece of cheese cloth set into a fine mesh sieve and you have your own, homemade apple vodka!

    What You Need

    Ingredients for an Apple Orchard Cocktail
    • Apple vodka
    • Ginger syrup (recipe below)
    • Apple liqueur (I use DuNord Pronounced Apple)
    • Elderflower liqueur
    • A lemon
    • Aromatic bitters 

    How to Make an Apple Orchard Cocktail

    Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. 

    Apple vodka being poured into a cocktail shaker
    Apple liqueur being poured into a cocktail shaker

    Shake up and strain into a glass.

    Apple Orchard Cocktail being poured into a coupe glass.

    Garnish with an apple slice, if desired.

    Enjoy!

    How to Make Ginger Simple Syrup

    Ginger Simple Syrup

    Ingredients

    ¼ cup sugar
    ½ cup water
    1 inch piece of fresh ginger

    Heat the water to boiling. Add sugar and stir until sugar is dissolved. Peel and slice the ginger and add to the hot water and sugar mixture. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature. Cover and place in the refrigerator until well chilled. Remove the ginger slices after 24-48 hours. Syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Tips on Apple Orchard Cocktail

    Make the ginger syrup ahead of time!

    The longer you leave the ginger in the syrup, the stronger the flavor. If possible, make the syrup a day or two ahead of making cocktails to allow the ginger more time to infuse the syrup. 

    Can I use bottled lemon juice?

    Fresh juice tastes best, but you can use bottled lemon juice in this recipe if that's what you have on hand.

    What kind of vodka should I use?

    Absolut Juice Apple and Sky Honey Crisp Apple are my two favorite apple vodkas. I've used both in this recipe with delicious results. If you're having a hard time finding apple vodka, you can infuse your own! Follow my instructions in this DIY Liquor infusion, swapping out sliced apples for the sliced strawberries.

    What can I substitute for the apple liqueur?

    You can use apple brandy or even regular brandy if you can't find any apple liqueur or don't have it on hand. I do HIGHLY recommend using an apple flavored, sweet spirit in this drink, as it enhances the apple flavor in the cocktail. I love the apple liqueur from DuNord Craft Spirits.

    Happy Hour Snack Pairings

    Bacon Wrapped Dates
    Bacon Wrapped Dates
    Crab Rangoon Dip
    Crab Rangoon Dip

    Don't Miss These Other Apple Cocktails

    Apple Cider Sangria
    Apple Cider Sangria
    Apple French 75
    Apple French 75

    More Delicious Recipes You'll Love

    • Orange Ginger Gin Cocktail
    • Elderflower Margarita
    • Apple Mules
    • Caramel Apple Cocktail
    • Holiday Spice Martini

    Print the Recipe

    Print

    Apple Orchard Cocktail

    Apple Orchard Cocktail
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Skipping the traditional fall spices, apple vodka and elderflower liqueur keep this Apple Orchard Cocktail fresh and slightly floral.

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 min
    • Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
    • Category: Cocktails
    • Method: Cocktail Shaker
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 oz apple vodka
    • 1 oz ginger syrup
    • 0.5 oz apple liqueur or apple brandy
    • 0.25 oz elderflower liqueur
    • 0.25 oz fresh lemon juice
    • 2 dashes aromatic bitters

    Instructions

    Combine everything in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. 

    Shake up and strain into a glass.

    Garnish with an apple slice, if desired.

    Enjoy!

    Equipment

    Image of Cocktail Shaker

    Cocktail Shaker

    Buy Now →
    Image of Jigger

    Jigger

    Buy Now →
    Image of Citrus Reamer

    Citrus Reamer

    Buy Now →

    Keywords: vodka, apple, elderflower, st germaine, cocktail, martini, drink, drinking, homemade happy hour

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

    « 12 Easy Vodka Cocktails
    Introducing Homemade Happy Hour, the ebook! »

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 6

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy. I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for daaaaays. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Weekly Newsletter

    Join my email list and get 5 CLASSIC COCKTAIL RECIPES sent to you immediately!

    Subscribers receive a new and delicious recipe in their inbox each week.

    Most Searched Recipes

    • Mocktails for Kids are Fun, Easy, and Festive
    • Easy, Creamy Bean Dip (No Cream Cheese)
    • Lavender Bee’s Knees Gin Cocktail (Video)
    • Easy and Delicious Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
    • How to Set Up a DIY Cocktail and Mocktail Bar Your Guest Will Love
    • Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
    • Easy Tomato Rice and Beans
    • Refreshing Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail
    • Strawberry Pineapple Martini with Vanilla Vodka (Video)
    • Grapefruit Tequila - DIY Infused Liquor

    Footer

    Connect with Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2022 · Mitten Girl LLC || Privacy Policy || Disclaimer || Terms & Conditions