How to Make Apple Cinnamon Infused Gin
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Upgrade your classic G&T with this homemade gin infusion! Apple Cinnamon Infused Gin makes delicious cocktails, ideal for the holidays and special occasions.
This infused gin recipe combines two quintessential fall ingredients with herbaceous gin to create a homemade liquor infusion that’s perfect for gift giving or in an easy cocktail like my Apple French 75 or Prickly Pear Cinnamon Gin Cocktail.
One of the fun things about gin is how the mix of botanicals vary from brand to brand. When making a liquor infusion using gin, look for one that has less juniper berries, fennel seed, citrus fruits, and other strong flavors coming through. Aviation Gin and Beefeater Gin are both more neutral spirits and are good for infusions.
This quick recipe uses fresh apple and cinnamon sticks – ingredients you can find in any grocery store. There’s no added sugar in this recipe, but the natural sweetness from the fresh apples and cinnamon definitely shines through making it taste sweeter than plain gin.
If you want a little sugar in your cocktail, mix the gin with a little simple syrup when you’re crafting your drink.
What You’ll Need
- Apple – Choose your favorite apple for this infusion. I love using Gala apples.
- Cinnamon Sticks – Only cinnamon sticks will work here. Don’t use ground cinnamon. It’s almost impossible to get back out of the gin and will leave you with gritty drinks.
- Dry Gin – I prefer a more neutral gin, like Beefeater, for an infusion with a strong flavor like cinnamon.
- Mason Jar with a tight fitting lid – Choose the side you want for your liquor infusion. If you want to try a small amount of gin, go with a pint jar. If you want to do a larger quantities, choose a quart jar.
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter – You can use whichever is on hand and more convenient for you. If using cheesecloth, pour through 2 layers.
How to Make Apple Cinnamon Infused Gin
Wash, core, and slice the apple. Place the apple slices in a clean, 1 quart mason jar. Add the cinnamon stick. Pour in 2 cups of a neutral-tasting gin (I recommend Beefeater or Aviation).
Tightly cover the jar and set it aside in a cool, dark place out of the sunlight for a couple of days.
After 2 days, remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Let the apples infuse for an additional 3-5 days.
When your infusion is ready, place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, line the strainer with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and pour the mixture through. Discard the apples. Enjoy the gin!
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Apple Cinnamon Infused Gin (Apple Pie Gin)
Ingredients
- 1 small apple, cut and cored
- 1 stick cinnamon
- 1.5 cups gin
- A pint mason jar with a tight fitting lid
- Cheesecloth or a coffee filter
Instructions
- Place the apple slices in a clean, 1 quart mason jar. Add the cinnamon stick. Pour in 1 ½ cups of a neutral-tasting gin. (I recommend Beefeater.)
- Tightly cover the jar and set it aside in a cool place out of the sunlight.
- After 2 days, remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Let the apples infuse for an additional 3-5 days.
- When your infusion is ready, place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl, line the sieve with cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and pour the mixture through. Discard the apples.
- Enjoy the gin!
Make it Apple Cinnamon Infused Bourbon
Looking to add some additional flavor to your favorite bourbon? Swap bourbon for the gin in this recipe.
Recipe Tips
Do not use ground cinnamon. You need to buy cinnamon sticks for this recipe. Do not substitute ground cinnamon for the cinnamon stick. The ground cinnamon is difficult to remove from the gin when you’re done infusing and will lead to (1) your gin tasting only like cinnamon and (2) an unpleasant texture in your drinks.
Skip peeling the apples. Save yourself some time and skip peeling the apples for this gin infusion. Just wash them well before slicing and coring. The red from the apple skin will help color the gin as the apples infuse.
Create your own unique flavor combinations by combining fresh fruit, fresh herbs, and/or citrus peels with your favorite type of gin. Let it sit at room temperature and start taste testing after it’s sat for 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
A London Dry bottle of gin is usually lower on specific flavors (like juniper) and more neutral tasting than other styles of gin. I love using Beefeater in my infusions for this reason. Skip gin that’s already been flavored or has a strong color or taste to it on its own.
This depends on how strong you like your flavors. I usually start with 2 days, then go up from there depending on what type of fruit and herbs are being used. Since apple is a lighter flavor, we’re leaving it in longer for this recipe, whereas the cinnamon needs to come out after 48 hours to prevent it from completely overpowering the flavors of the apple.
You’ll want to choose sealable bottles or an airtight container for your gin once it’s done. A super easy way to store it is to use the original gin bottle. I often use a mason jar for storing my infused gins.
You can keep your infused gin stored at room temperature for up to 6 weeks or stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
What to Make with Apple Cinnamon Infused Gin
Try this cocktail recipe: Combine 2 oz gin, 1 oz simple syrup, and 0.5 oz lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with 2 oz tonic water. Garnish with rosemary sprigs.
Or enjoy the gin in my Apple French 75 cocktails or Prickly Pear Cinnamon Fall Cocktail, both created especially for this delicious Apple Cinnamon gin infusion.
Looking for more DIY Liquor Infusions?
Infusing liquor is so easy to make at home! Using spirits infused with fruits and herbs is one of the best ways to create a unique cocktail. This strawberry vodka is delicious and gets its gorgeous red color from the berries. Infuse rum with lime and mint to take your mojitos to the next level!
How long does does the infused alchohol last?
It’ll keep at room temperature for up to 6 weeks and in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.