Caramel Vodka Apple Cider Cocktail

Looking for the perfect fall drink recipe? This Caramel Vodka Apple Cider Cocktail is calling your name. Simple ingredients but loaded with flavor. Cheers, it's time for a sip or two.

If you're a fan of caramel apples, there's no doubt that you'll love this simple cocktail. It's sweet and savory, all in one. This would be perfect for a fall gathering, a Halloween party, or a great drink to have in hand while sitting on the porch looking at the leaves changing colors.

In fact, dare I say that the apples add a little bit of health to this drink? Maybe it doesn't quite work that way...but hey, when it's your cocktail, you can make it and process it in your brain however you want.

If you want to change up the sweetness factor, you can easily do so as well. You can add more or less of the caramel sauce and alter how each sip tastes.

Speaking of crazy good drink recipes, be sure to check out this Apple Cider Martini as well. 'Tis the season for all things apple, so add this one to your list.

Ingredients

Caramel Vodka - Caramel vodka is a type of vodka that has been flavored with caramel. The exact process of making caramel vodka varies depending on the distillery, but generally, the vodka is flavored with either natural or artificial caramel flavoring. The result is a sweet and smooth spirit that can be enjoyed on its own or used in cocktails. Some popular ways to enjoy caramel vodka include mixing it with coffee or Coca-Cola, or using it as a shot with a touch of whipped cream.

Apple Cider - Apple cider is a type of fruit juice made from apples. The apples are crushed and the juice is extracted. The juice is then filtered and pasteurized. Apple cider is a popular beverage in the fall and winter months.

Cinnamon Syrup - Cinnamon simple syrup is a liquid sweetener that can be used in a variety of ways. It is made by heating water and sugar together until the sugar dissolves, then adding cinnamon and letting the mixture steep for a few minutes. The syrup can be used to flavor coffee or tea, added to baked goods, or used as a topping for pancakes or waffles.

Caramel Syrup - Caramel syrup is a viscous, sweet syrup made from sugar that has been melted and heated until it becomes dark brown in color. It is used as a flavoring and topping for desserts, coffee, and other beverages. Caramel syrup has a rich, sweet flavor with notes of toffee and burnt sugar.

How to Make Caramel Apple Cider Cocktails

Step One: Combine the vodka, apple cider, and cinnamon syrup in a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice.

Step Two: Pour into a glass of ice that has been drizzled with caramel syrup.

Expert Tip: Drizzle on some caramel syrup after adding the cocktail to the glass if you prefer.

Variations

Add some cinnamon sticks - Cinnamon and apple slices pair perfectly together. Plus, you can use them as a drink stirrer.

Add caramel sauce to the rim - Fancy drinks deserve fancy glasses. A little bit of caramel is a nice addition to the rim or even add some cinnamon sugar.

Add toppings - A little bit of whipped cream on top can take this to a whole new level of flavor. A garnish is a simple way to change the taste.

Change up the type of apples or brand of juice - All apples tend to taste differently, and all store-bought apple juice is unique as well. Try different flavors and different combinations, and see what you like best. You can even add a splash of lemon or lime juice to the cocktail to add a little bit of a sweet and sour taste, too.

Hot beverage - Add the ingredients to a slow cooker and warm on the lowest setting.

Apple cider sangria - Mix in some white wine like riesling or pinot grigio.

Common Questions

Do I need a cocktail shaker for this drink recipe?

No. Is it easier to use a shaker? Yes. Using a shaker makes it fast and simple to stir and pour. Plus, let's all just admit that it's really fun to use.

Is this hard cider recipe meant to be served warm or cold?

While warm apple cider is a treat, this recipe is meant to be served chilled or cold. It has a fast prep time since you just literally have to mix and pour it over ice.

For those who are wanting a warm cider recipe, a caramel apple sangria sounds pretty darn good!

Can I make this drink recipe ahead of time?

If you want to save on prep time, it's possible to do so. You can mix everything together and have it ready and waiting in the cocktail shaker. This is also a great way to chill it to make it be ultracold.

If you do make this cocktail ahead of time, make sure that you mix and shake it really well before serving it. That way, it mixes up all the ingredients again, just in case any of them have settled at the bottom.

Can I use real apple juice?

You can! If you want to use the juice from real apples to make this drink, go for it. This will increase your overall prep time but will add such a fresh and delicious flavor.

The easiest way to get the juice from the apples is to add the apples to a blender or food processor, or juicer. You can get juice from the apple chunks and strain it to capture the juice to be able to use.

This will increase the total time for making this recipe, but that's totally up to you. You can also save time by buying the juice at the grocery store, but you might notice a difference in the flavor.