An Appletini is a blend of vodka, crisp apple juice, tart sour apple schnapps, and a splash of lemon juice. An Appletini comes together with four simple ingredients, effortless and dangerously smooth. It drifts toward sweetness, a dessert disguised as a cocktail. The recipe invites easy changes, shaped by personal taste. Vodka keeps it clean, while gin adds a floral, classic whisper. A cinnamon-sugar rim deepens the indulgence, turning each sip into a small celebration.
Origin of Appletini Vodka
The drink first took shape on a Fourth of July in West Hollywood, inside a bar called Lola’s.
Asked to design a signature martini, the owner spotted a forgotten bottle of apple schnapps.
A bartender blended it into something unexpected, and the Appletini was born.
Later, pop culture carried it further, from Scrubs to The Social Network. With that history in every sip, the Appletini still invites one more round.
Appletini Cocktail recipe
Ingredients
Apple Juice—This recipe builds its apple essence by blending fresh apple juice with the sweet warmth of schnapps.
Sour Apple Schnapps—Here is where the tart apple bite appears, bringing its signature green glow.
Red apple schnapps offers the same charm if a different hue feels right.
Vodka—Select a well-made vodka, like Ketel One, Tito’s, or Grey Goose, for a smoother finish.
Lemon Juice—Pressed fresh, straight from the fruit.
Optional Garnish—A crisp slice of Granny Smith apple makes a bright, optional finishing touch.
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a shaker, then fill with ice.
Shake hard until the metal turns icy to the touch.
Strain into a well-chilled martini glass.
Finish with a crisp slice of Granny Smith apple.
Tips and Ingredients You Can Substitute
Gin can step in for vodka if that suits your taste.
Any apple juice works well, and apple cider adds deeper warmth.
Keep martini glasses in the freezer for an always-chilled pour.
Without a shaker, a lidded mason jar does the job.
Strain carefully to keep the ice from slipping into the glass.
How is Schnapps made? This spirit is distilled from grains and often infused with fruit or herbs. It can be sipped solo, yet it shines most often as a cocktail companion.
Is a martini made of vodka or gin?
Traditionally, a martini features gin, though vodka works just as well.
Vodka often stars in dessert martinis, letting sweeter flavors take the spotlight.
