Caramel Apple Vodka Cocktail with Apple Cider

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A little caramel, a little tart, and a lot of apple. This easy Caramel Apple Vodka Cocktail hits all the right fall notes.

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Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cocktails
How to Make a Caramel Apple Vodka Cocktail
Looking for Apple Vodka Cocktail Recipes?
FAQs and Substitutions
What to Serve with Caramel Apple Cocktails
More Delicious Recipes You'll Love
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Caramel Apple Vodka Cocktail with Apple Cider

Apple cocktails with caramel vodka are quintessential fall drinks. But so often - thanks to the sweetened vodka - caramel apple drinks come out too sweet.

With this cocktail, we're balancing out the sweet with fresh lemon juice and the natural tartness in the apple cider.

When it comes to the apple liqueur, you can use your favorite in this drink. I've made it with various apple liqueurs - including apple brandy - and all variations have been delicious.

Ingredients for Caramel Apple Cocktails

Apple cider - I'm lucky enough to easily find apple cider year-round, but if you can't use an unfiltered apple juice like Simply Apple for this recipe.
Caramel vodka - I used Smirnoff Kissed Caramel Vodka for this recipe. Stoli Vodka and Pinnacle Vodka also make caramel versions, if you prefer a different brand.
Apple liqueur or apple brandy - You're looking for a sweet, apple flavored liquor here that doesn't have any heavy spices in it. Apple brandy works well, but so do lots of other apple liqueurs, so go with what you can easily find or have on hand.
Pure maple syrup - Skip the pancake syrup and use 100% pure maple syrup for this drink.
Fresh lemon juice - Squeeze a fresh lemon for this drink! Half of a lemon will be plenty for each cocktail.
Cinnamon and sugar - Use the cinnamon and sugar to rim your glass. If you don't like a flavored rim on your glass, skip it and garnish with an apple slice.

How to Make a Caramel Apple Vodka Cocktail

Prepare your glass

Combine cinnamon and sugar in a shallow dish.

Wet the rim of your glass using a little water or lemon juice.

Gently roll the wet portion of the glass into the cinnamon sugar mixture.

The rim of a martini glass being rolled in a shallow dish of cinnamon and sugar.

Fill the glass with ice and set it aside.

Make your cocktail

Combine caramel vodka, apple liqueur, lemon juice, maple syrup, and apple cider in a shaker filled with ice.

Vodka being poured into a cocktail shaker

Shake well for at least 10 seconds and strain into your prepared glass.

Caramel apple cocktail being poured into a glass.

Enjoy!

Looking for Apple Vodka Cocktail Recipes?

Apple cocktails are all I want to drink in the fall! Looking to join me? Try my super easy Apple Moscow Mules with ginger beer or my Apple Orchard Cocktail with elderflower.

Apple Orchard Cocktail being poured into a coupe glass. — Apple Orchard Cocktail

FAQs and Substitutions

What kind of vodka should I use?

I use Smirnoff Caramel Kiss vodka in this drink. Smirnoff is easy for me to find and the caramel flavor in the vodka is on point with a caramel candy square. Feel free to use your favorite caramel flavored vodka in this cocktail.

What can I use in place of the apple cider?

Swap apple juice for the apple cider if it's not cider season or you don't have any on hand. Simply brand apple juice is my go-to when I can't find cider but still want a caramel apple cocktail.

What if I can't find apple liqueur?

You can use apple brandy in place of the apple liqueur if that's what you have on hand or can easily find.

How do I garnish this cocktail?

If you'd like to garnish your drink beyond the cinnamon sugar rim, use a slice or two of fresh apple. Slice your apple through its equator to get a fun star design in the middle of the slice from the core. A cinnamon stick or twist of lemon peel would also be fun.

What can I substitute for the maple syrup?

If you don't have 100% pure maple syrup on hand, use brown sugar syrup. Do not use pancake syrup.