The appletini was only invented in 1996 but it has already become a modern classic. Have a go at shaking up a batch of these irresistible sweet gin martinis next time you have friends over for drinks and fancy trying some newcocktail recipes.
Apple martinis, better known as the apple martini, was invented in 1996 at a popular restaurant called Lola’s in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. It was around the same time that Cosmopolitans and other fruity twists on a traditional martini were becoming popular, and the appletini soon became a favourite among cocktail drinkers at bars around the world.
To make an appletini you can use either vodka or gin. In our recipe we’ve opted for gin, which is also the base of a classic martini. You can mix the spirit with apple juice. In US bars they often use a tangy apple spirit instead, called Apple Pucker, which gives the drink a delicious sweet and sour flavour, and also makes it more potent to boot. In the UK, you can get hold of a similar product called Apple Sourz from larger supermarkets.
We’ve given this appletini a delicate twist by using good-quality cloudy apple juice as well as fresh raspberries. The raspberries give the drink a delicate blush pink colour. Garnishing this delicious cocktail couldn’t be easier. Simply add a fresh raspberry to the rim of each martini glass for a stylish finish. To make these blush appletinis, just follow our easy recipe below.
How to Make a Blush Appletini
1. To make the sugar syrup:Bring the sugar and water to the boil in a saucepan, stirring constantly, the simmer for around 5 minutes until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Allow it to cool completely, then store for up to a week in the fridge in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid
3. To make the cocktail:Shake all the ingredients with the ice. Strain in to a chilled Martini glass
4. Garnish each glass with a fresh raspberry.
Ingredients
- 50ml/1¾fl oz Caorunn gin
- 50ml/1¾fl oz cloudy pressed apple juice
- 1 tsp sugar syrup
- Ice cubes
- Small handful fresh raspberries (plus extra to garnish)
For the sugar syrup:
- 500ml/17½fl oz water
- 200g/7oz caster sugar
You will need:
- A Martini glass
- A cocktail shaker with strainer