Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail
Pretty much the perfect Fall treat, this Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail is sweet with caramel and apple cider but with the perfect punch from vodka!
When the folks at Smirnoff inquired about my trying some of their flavored vodkas I admit I was a bit hesitant. I love using vodka in cocktails but most often I’m the one that is infusing them with a flavor and I’ve not had much interest in the gazillion vodka flavors I see proliferate liquor store shelves. Until I noticed their suggestion for this Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail.
I spied a Kissed Caramel Vodka in their offer and a recipe for a Kissed Caramel Apple-tini. Anything combining caramel and apple makes me go weak in the knees and so I thought I would give it a shot. Or two. Yes I renamed it. I don’t do cute names; people search for what they know, not a cute name they don’t. 🙂
They indulged me and sent me both of their new flavors. My daughter and her friend Cindy were here the day the package arrived and they were absolutely giddy over both of them. If I’m being honest, the Iced Cake flavor was so sweet it was not for me but those girls quickly poured a glass over rocks and, well, that bottle went home with my daughter Emily.
I just know when they see what I’ve done with the Kissed Caramel that they’ll find an excuse to come visit the ‘old lady’ stat!
Their recipe suggested combining the vodka with apple juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. My first order of the day was to revise that cocktail a bit; I had a variety of apples on hand and decided to make some apple cider to use instead of apple juice and I just knew I would eliminate the simple syrup; I wanted the tartness of the cider to come through.
The caramel is on the rim; it’s impossible to miss and drinking this cocktail is so very reminiscent of one of those fabulous Fall treats I used to make my girls.
I have to tell you…this was beyond good. Absolutely frivolous and fun and for me, the perfect cocktail for Halloween. I’m not big into Halloween; not even sure why. It’s not a religious thing but I’ve never enjoyed anything scary or spooky and if you know me you might know I hate the color orange ( I mean HATE it!) so though my kids always went out Trick or Treating, without little kids around, it’s just a day.
I do dress up on the night of and hand out candy to the neighbor kids…maybe this year I’ll bide that time with a cocktail; this would be PERFECT!
My only drawback to getting it made? I had neither apple juice or apple cider so I made some! Apple cider is so easy to make, especially when you only need a relatively small amount. I had four apples which gave me a bit more than a cup of juice…plenty for several cocktails if you’re inviting friends. Of course it didn’t hurt that I have this fabulous Blendtec blender either…stick around; I’ve got one to give away next week!
Simply remove the core from your apples and slice them into chunks; skin and all. Puree in a blender or food processor and then strain the juice from the pulp. I used a combination of my best strainer combined with four layers of cheesecloth. I was impatient and squeezed it out but if you plan better than I did you can let it sit and drip and then just squeeze out the a bit at the end. That’s it…no cooking required! Store in the fridge or if you have a bit too much, freeze it for later.
Once I had the cider made it was easy. I drew a bead of caramel sauce around the rim with a squeeze bottle and garnished it with an apple slice. Want the truth? I am running so far behind, I made this cocktail this morning…and I drank it while I wrote this post. Hey…it’s juice!! Enjoy!
Love apple cider like I do? Here’s some more of my favorites:
[mv_create title=”More Apple Cider Cocktails!” key=”356″ type=”list” layout=”grid” thumbnail=”https://creative-culinary.com/wp-content/uploads/apple-cider-margarita-1.jpg”]
PIN ‘Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail’
Caramel Apple Cider Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Caramel Flavored Vodka or use plain and put a couple of drops of caramel into the cocktail itself before blending
- 1 ½ oz apple cider
- ¼ oz lemon juice
- Caramel sauce for rimming
- Apple slices for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish rim with a bead of caramel sauce on the inside top edge (I used a handy squirt bottle) and a slice of apple.
The perfect Fall cocktail to enjoy while relaxing on my front porch!! Must buy that flavored vodka! Thanks–you inspire me, Barb!!
Susan
I’m not a huge fan of most flavored vodkas but this one was a keeper and everyone just loves this dessert…I mean cocktail! 🙂
wow, just wow! love those pictures and now an=m really intrigued with the blender. I have a 20 buck special from sears which means I don’t do a hell of a lot of blending. This could change my mind.
I had a decent blender Kathy when Blendtec asked me to test this one out. At first I thought it was a bummer; then I read the instructions…holy go figure! It has presets that cycle through high and low speeds and do an amazing job or I’m sure it WILL do an amazing job once I get it out of storage (ah, the things I miss; the list is growing!).
This looks soooo tasty – I am truly a caramel freak. And the photos are awesome, especially the last one with the glowing reflection. 🙂
Thank you Vannessa…wish I could take credit for that reflection part…it just happened during setup and I thought to take advantage of it! This is good…if you like caramel, you’ll love it!
When I went to my families apple barn in Michigan, my Uncle reminded me how to make cider. We also played with the old fashioned apple cider press, it was not easy to work LOL:-) Love that you made cider, the vodka really does sound awesome! Beautiful, Hugs, Terra
That sounds pretty cool! As a huge fan of cider, I cannot miss this one on my halloween party next week! Thanks for the great idea!
Homemade apple cider! Now that is some serious devotion to making the perfect cocktail.
Oh my gosh, that sounds wonderful because I love caramel. I also hate orange and I am not very fond of Holloween either. I am not much of a drinker but with this drink I might start. Thanks for posting this!
Caramel Vodka – now THAT is going in my pantry ASAP for winter 🙂
WHOA! That is one heck of a drink. I love the last photo with the pumpkin smiling through the martini stem. Genius!
First of all… I’m jealous of your Blendtec. Goooorgeous machine. I need one in my life. And I need a cocktail. Actually, I’ll probably need/want several by the end of the day lol.
Oh, my gosh! This has to be just about my most favorite cocktail that you’ve made so far. Apples and caramel were just made for each other, weren’t they? How fun!
It is good. I mean GOOD. Absolutely not a serious drink at all…and I loved, loved, loved it!
Oh my gosh, I am going to have to look for that vodka! I am a vodka girl at heart 🙂 Looks amazing!!
It was a fun drink I won’t deny but I have to tell you…the Honey infused vodka I used recently for Moscow Mules? Oh My. Made by Spring 44 spirits in Loveland. it was love at first sip…and these cocktails are DIVINE…why didn’t I start making these like 20 years ago?!!
https://creative-culinary.com/2012/10/moscow-mule-revisited-as-the-denver-donkey/
making it by myself is more joyful than buy in the store :). I like this apple cider recipe. it taste really delicious when I was in my spare time, especially in the night after working 🙂
Cool drink! I’m not wild about flavored vodkas (or vodka at all, actually), but this looks pretty good. Very creative! Thanks for this.
I went in with a lot of trepidation about results and no one was more surprised than me that it was actually tasty. Not for the most sophisticated of occasions but very much a fun libation for the season. It sure did not need any additional simple syrup. I like a sweet cocktail occasionally but not one that is so sweet it hurts your teeth. 🙂
That picture of the cocktail with the pumpkin reflecting through the stem is prize winning and well the cocktail looks purdy good too!
This isn’t a drink it’s dessert and I’d be prepared for 3 or 4 of them 🙂 Gosh this sounds good.
That it is…and nothing wrong with drinking your dessert I say!
The caramel apple cider cocktail sounds delicious and thinking about it you could substitute apple with peach,or other fruits
Fantastic beverage
I hate the color orange too! This cocktail looks perfect for a quiet night in on Halloween!
YAY…a sister! I am most definitely more in the cool group; as in blue, purple, burgundy and teals. I like red only if it’s a real cherry red and most often just go burgundy. Christmas is burgundy and silver to avoid any chance that an orangish red might appear. 🙂
Clever, clever you – great drink & great pics. Look at the jack-o-lantern in the stem of the glass in that last shot – wow!
Yes…it was determined so I just went with it!
Oh my, this looks so tempting! I immediately pinned it on Pinterest so I can remember this wonderful combination. I haven’t tried experimenting with flavored vodas as yet, but I’ll be looking for this one!
Thanks Pat…it’s new but should be in distribution all over. It was great for this cocktail I can not lie.
Yum..I can’t think of a better drink to celebrate fall!
Beee-uuuu-ti-fil photo. Love the sound of this drink.
Clink clink…that’s me toasting you with one. Happy Anniversary again my sweet friend.
I really love this Barb! Your photo is fabulous with your jack-o-lantern in the back, ah..the fall time and apples. Really enjoyed learning how to make cider too, I have never made it and I have a vitamix–I want to try this!
So easy…though there is cheesecloth and then there is cheesecloth. Mine wasn’t really all that sturdy, hence the four layers. Patience is a virtue too but hey, we wanted a cocktail and we had none!
SO easy…especially with a Vitamix or Blendtec. Once I figured out how to use it…doggone directions helped.
This cocktail sounds yummy. I may even have to try to make my own apple cider one day (I own a vitamix) and give this a whirl. I love your pictures too. The last one with the pumpkin reflection in the stem of the glass is totally awesome!
I’m a little shocked however to hear that you hate the color orange. It’s been my favorite for as long as I can remember and the reason I love fall so much. To me the color is packed with energy (but I digress, LOL).
Cheers to another great cocktail recipe from you Barb!
Different strokes for different folks right? I have no idea why I dislike it so much but it almost hurts my ‘I love purple and burgundy’ eyeballs! 🙂
wow, this looks delicious, Barb 🙂 I need a Blendtec – I see lots of people using them these days. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for that giveaway!
I will be sharing the story of how much better it worked too once I read the directions. 🙂
Your photos are too cute! I must admit, I’m not much of a flavored vodka gal either… but I’ve only ever actually tried the pink lemonade one. Maybe I’ll give this one a shot! Great for Halloween and Thanksgiving get togethers for sure!
Thanks Rachael. This one was perfect for this cocktail but I have no intention of going flavored vodka crazy…I like infusing them a bit too much with my own stuff!
This looks fantastic! I must make it this weekend, even though the temperature outside has been running in the 80’s-90’s. Maybe it will remind me of cooler weather LOL 🙂 Would Kissed Caramel work as a good base for infusing, to make a “caramel apple” liqueur? Just wondering… 🙂
Hard to say Skye…I’m not sure it would be the best fit since it’s already got a flavor…if it were me; I would probably start with a plain vodka and hey…if you perfect a caramel apple liqueur, do let me know!
Aren’t you something with the jack-o-lantern too! For someone who doesn’t love Halloween you sure have done a great job. The reflection of the jack-o-lantern in the glass is fantastic. If my kids could walk all the way to your house I’d stop by on the 31st for a glass of this drink! Some other time for sure.
Give me a buzz after the babes call it quits and I’ll have one ready for you. I’m not kidding.
Holy cow, I had no idea that they made caramel vodka. This will change my life!
Probably the only one that appealed to me and I have to say…I sort of like this drink…adding it to the raw cider toned down some of the sweet element and what can I say. It was good!
I never knew there is a caramel vodka. Wow, this sounds so good. You are just about the most creative mixologist I have ever known. Incredible.
Good God! This is one delicious looking cocktail. You are brilliant. Oh, your photographs are too. I love how the pumpkin is reflected in the stem of the cocktail glass in both first and second shots but in the last one it’s pretty much dead center, don’t know if you planned it that way but it’s really cool 🙂