The Apple Juice Maple Cocktail is a smooth and spiced drink that highlights orchard fruit and autumn flavors. Apple juice forms a crisp base, while vodka adds body and strength. Fresh lime juice brings brightness, balanced by the rich sweetness of maple syrup. A touch of cinnamon ties everything together with warm spice, making this cocktail both cozy and refreshing. Garnished with apple slices and a cinnamon stick, it’s visually inviting as well as flavorful perfect for cool evenings, holiday gatherings, or simply enjoying a seasonal twist on a vodka cocktail.

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Tasting Notes

The Apple Juice Maple Cocktail is a smooth, autumn-inspired drink that balances fruit, spice, and sweetness. Vodka provides a clean, crisp base that allows the other flavors to shine. Apple juice adds freshness and natural sweetness, while lime juice introduces a tart brightness to keep the cocktail lively. Maple syrup brings a warm, earthy sweetness that complements the apple beautifully. Ground cinnamon rounds out the drink with spiced depth, enhancing the seasonal character. Garnished with apple slices and a cinnamon stick, this cocktail is flavorful, aromatic, and visually festive, perfect for cozy evenings or seasonal gatherings.

Equipment and Glassware

This Apple Juice Maple Cocktail is simple to prepare with just a few tools. A cocktail shaker is essential for blending the apple juice, vodka, lime juice, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon while chilling the drink. A jigger ensures accurate measurements for proper balance of tartness, sweetness, and spirit. A strainer provides a smooth pour, catching ice and any cinnamon clumps. For serving, a coupe or martini glass works best to highlight the cocktail’s warm color and garnishes. A paring knife is useful for thinly slicing apples for garnish, while a cocktail pick helps secure the slices neatly for presentation.

Ingredients

2.5 ounces apple juice
2.5 ounces vodka
0.5 ounce lime juice
0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
0.5 ounce maple syrup
Apple and cinnamon stick for garnish

Instructions

Begin by filling a cocktail shaker with ice.
Pour in the apple juice, vodka, lime juice, ground cinnamon, and maple syrup.
Shake vigorously until the mixture is well blended and thoroughly chilled.
Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a skewer of thinly sliced apple slices and a cinnamon stick to enhance both the flavor and presentation.

Pro Tips

Use freshly pressed apple juice for brighter flavor.
Grade A dark maple syrup adds richer depth.
Adjust maple syrup for sweetness preference.
Chill glassware before serving for a crisper drink.
Shake thoroughly to disperse ground cinnamon evenly.
Thin apple slices float better and add visual appeal.
Add a dash of aromatic bitters for extra complexity.

When to Serve

The Apple Juice Maple Cocktail is ideal for autumn and winter entertaining, where its warm flavors shine. It’s a perfect choice for Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings, or intimate dinners when you want a seasonal cocktail with balance and character. Its approachable profile makes it great as a pre-dinner drink, while its sweetness and spice also work well as a dessert pairing. Easy to prepare yet polished in presentation, this cocktail is versatile enough for both casual nights in and festive occasions. With apple, maple, and cinnamon in harmony, it embodies seasonal comfort in every sip.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

Vodka: Tito’s Handmade, Grey Goose, or Ketel One.
Apple Juice: Martinelli’s, R.W. Knudsen, or orchard-pressed.
Maple Syrup: Crown Maple, Anderson’s, or Coombs Family Farms.
Cinnamon: McCormick or Simply Organic for ground and sticks.
Garnish: Honeycrisp or Gala apples for crisp, sweet slices.

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