This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.
Skip to Recipe Watch the Video
This green apple vodka martini provides all of the tart, crisp apple flavor you want while skipping the bright green added colors and specialty liqueurs commonly found in appletinis.
Jump to:
One of my biggest frustrations with stocking my home bar is when I end up with a bottle of alcohol that I only use for one drink once a year. (I’m looking at you, creme de menthe.)
So I don’t want a tart apple martini that has sour apple pucker, sour apple liqueur, sour apple schnapps, green apple schnapps, or any other liquor that I’ll likely never use beyond one cocktail.
There’s also no sour mix or green apple syrup in this sour apple martini. We’re getting our sour apple flavor from simple ingredients - apple vodka, apple juice, fresh lemon juice, and fresh lime juice.
Granny Smith apple slices add a vibrant green garnish to a delicious cocktail. This appletini cocktail is a delicious balance of sweet and sour.
Fall is the perfect time of year to dive into everything apple, including this green apple martini recipe, a simple cocktail with big green apple flavor. It's the perfect cocktail for fall happy hours, and a great choice is you enjoy your cocktails a little sour.
Looking for a sweeter fall drink with apple brandy or caramel vodka? I’ve got you covered! Check out my Caramel Apple Martini or Spiced Apple Cocktail!
What's in an Appletini Cocktail
- Apple vodka - This give the appletini a lot of its apple flavor, so don't substitute regular vodka.
- Apple juice - Use traditional apple juice here. (I often just grab one of my daughter's juice boxes!)
- Simple syrup - Make your own at home! It takes 2 ingredients and less than 5 minutes. Get the recipe on my simple syrup page.
- Orange liqueur or triple sec - A little sweet orange flavor will enhance the other flavors. If you don't want to add more liquor, use my orange simple syrup instead.
- A lime and a lemon - Squeeze fresh citrus for this drink. You'll need half a lime and half a lemon (or less) per drink.
- Green apples or Granny Smith apples - Totally optional, but my favorite garnish for this drink.
How to Make a Green Apple Martini
Combine all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes.
Shake well.
Strain into a martini glass.
Garnish with green apple slices.
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use fresh citrus. Take the time to squeeze fresh lemon juice and fresh lime juice when making this drink. It’ll make a big difference in how your cocktail tastes.
- Make your syrup ahead of time. Simple syrup is super easy to make at home, but does need time to chill. Heat ½ cup water to boiling, remove from heat and stir in ½ cup white sugar until the sugar has completely dissolved. Refrigerate it for at least 2 hours before using.
- Toss your apple slices with a little lemon juice. If you do an apple slice garnish, toss the slices of apples with some lemon juice before using them on your drink. The lemon won’t detract from the already sour martini and will keep your garnish looking fresh while sipping your cocktail.
What to Serve with Appletinis
A tart green apple cocktail deserves rich, savory snacks. Make these bacon wrapped dates and/or my parmesan sweet potato chips to serve alongside a green apple vodka martini at your next happy hour.
FAQs and Substitutions
You make it! Combine ½ cup hot water with ½ cup sugar. Stir until the sugar has completely dissolved, then refrigerate until the syrup is cold. Do not use the syrup until it’s completely chilled. When kept refrigerated, simple syrup will keep for up to 3 weeks.
I love Absolut Juice Apple Vodka or Skyy Honeycrisp Apple Vodka in this appletini recipe. Both have fresh apple flavors that aren’t too candy-like or overly sweet, which I find with Smirnoff Green Apple Vodka.
You can substitute apple cider for the apple juice if you prefer, but it will change both the color and flavor of the drink. Apple cider will make this cocktail less tart and darker in color.
While you can technically use any vodka you want, the apple flavored vodka is a big part of what gives this cocktail its apple flavor. Remove that, and you won't have the same drink. Absolut vodka makes a delicious apple variation that's widely available in the U.S., so make an effort to pick up a bottle of that. Skyy Vodka also makes a really good Honeycrisp Apple Vodka.
Other Fall Cocktail Recipes with Apple Vodka
Looking for other ways to use apple flavored vodka? I've got you covered! If you bought a bottle of apple vodka for this recipe, use it in my apple orchard cocktail with elderflower and this super easy apple Moscow mule recipe!
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love
Print the Recipe Card
Tart Green Apple Martini with Vodka (Appletini)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 oz apple vodka
- 1 oz apple juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 0.25 oz orange liqueur
- 0.25 oz lime juice
- 0.25 oz lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a thin slice of green apple (or two).
- Enjoy!
Leave a Reply