Refreshing Apple Orchard Vodka Cocktail

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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.

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

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.