Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Martini

Pioneer Woman caramel apple martini is a sweet, chilled fall cocktail with apple cider, vodka and butterscotch schnapps that comes together in 5 minutes. This easy autumn cocktail party drink fits Halloween, Thanksgiving and romantic dinners, since it shakes up fast with only a few ingredients.

Chill the martini glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before you pour, because a frosty glass keeps the drink cold from the first sip to the last. Skip it and the ice-cold shake loses its bite as the drink warms in a room-temperature glass.

Dipping the rims in caramel sauce turns this into a drink that tastes like a caramel apple, which a plain appletini with sour mix never manages. Shaking the cider, vodka and butterscotch schnapps for a full 30 seconds also makes it silky and properly cold, so you don't need any extra sweeteners.

Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Martini

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Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

230

kcal

Apple cider, vodka and butterscotch schnapps get shaken hard over ice until cold and smooth, then poured into frosty glasses with sticky caramel rims. Each sip is sweet and crisp, with a buttery finish and a fresh apple slice on top.

Ingredients

• Caramel sauce, for the rim
  

• Ice, for shaking
  

• 4 oz. apple cider
  

• 3 oz. vodka
  

• 2 oz. butterscotch schnapps
  

• Sliced apple, for garnish
  

Directions

• Chill the glasses: Place two martini glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before serving. That way the cocktail stays cold once it's poured.
• Rim with caramel: Dip the rims of the chilled martini glasses in caramel sauce, turning them so the rim is coated evenly. Then set them back in the freezer while you mix so the caramel sets a little.
• Shake the cocktail: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice, then add 4 oz. apple cider, 3 oz. vodka and 2 oz. butterscotch schnapps. Seal it and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels frosty.
• Pour and garnish: Divide the mixture between the two prepared martini glasses, straining out the ice as you pour. Then finish each drink with a slice of apple, if you like.

Tools for this recipe

• OXO Steel cocktail shaker, OXO steel double jigger. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use apple juice instead of apple cider?

Apple juice works in a pinch, but it's filtered and often sweeter, so the drink tastes a little flatter. If you can find fresh apple cider, I'd use it because it gives a more real, tart apple flavor.

Can I make caramel apple martinis ahead of time?

You can mix the cider, vodka and schnapps in a pitcher a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Shake each serving over fresh ice right before pouring, since that's what makes it cold and smooth.

What can I use if I don't have a cocktail shaker?

A mason jar with a tight lid works great, so just add the ice and liquids, seal it and shake for 30 seconds. A stainless steel water bottle with a screw top also does the job.

Can I make this martini less sweet?

Cut the butterscotch schnapps to 1 oz. and add a little extra apple cider, since the schnapps is the sweetest part. A thinner caramel rim helps too, because less sticky sauce touches your lips.

What's the most common mistake with this cocktail?

Skipping the chilled glass is the big one, because a room-temperature glass warms the drink fast. Another mistake is shaking for just a few seconds, which leaves the martini less cold and less smooth.