Apple Cider Martini

It's that time of year when the weather gets cooler and warm items like soups, chili's, and warm drinks become popular again.  I absolutely love making hot apple cider this time of year, but this time around, I decided to change it up a bit.  The Cidertini served at the White Mountain Cider Co.  in North Conway, NH is what inspired me to make this drink.  Once I tasted their delicious cocktail, I knew I had to recreate it.  If any of you are ever near North Conway, you must eat here! Reservations are strongly suggested (Dave and I were lucky and got the last reservation at 9pm).  But trust me when I say that this restaurant is well worth the wait!

Now I of course could not recreate the Cidertini perfectly, because the White Mountain Cider Co. makes their own cider fresh and even uses a reduction in this cocktail, but I did come pretty close!

Apple Cider Martini

Ingredients:
-3 to 4 ounces Apple Cider (if you want it a little stronger, use closer to 3 ounces)
-1.5 ounces AppleJack Liquor
-1 ounce orange curacao
-Splash of lemon juice
-Cinnamon-sugar mix for rim (optional)
-Apple peel to garnish (optional)

Directions:
Take two martini glasses and moisten the rims of the glasses with either water, simple syrup, and/or alcohol.  I just used simple syrup so that the cinnamon-sugar mixture would stick to the edge.  Make sure the cinnamon-sugar mixture is on a plate or bowl that is larger than the glasses so that you can tip the glasses upside down and dip them into the mixture.

Once you have your beautifully coated martini glasses, fill a martini shaker with ice, and add in the applejack, orange curacao, cider, and splash of lemon juice.  Shake well.  Pour out into the martini glasses, garnish with an apple slice or peel.  Enjoy!

For more great recipes using apples, check out FN Dish, Food Network's Blog where there will be loads of fall recipes! You can also check out these recipes from fellow bloggers:

CIA Dropout: Apple-Roasted Duck
Cooking Channel: Add Apples to Your Salad
The Cultural Dish: Apple Cider Martini
And Love It Too: Fried Apples (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free and Vegan)
From My Corner of Saratoga: Easy Skillet Apple Pie (A Southern Living Recipe Reviewed)
Haute Apple Pie: Baked Apple Pancake
Virtually Vegan Mama: Slow Cooker Apple Date Butter
Big Girls Small Kitchen: Apple Pancakes
What's Gaby Cooking: Apple Cake
FN Dish: Savory Apple Recipes
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Roasted Apple and Caramelized Onion Soup
The Sensitive Epicure: Pan Fried Apple Rings (Gluten-Free)
Glory Foods: Caramel Apple Upside Down Cupcakes
Daily*Dishin: Apple, Bacon, Feta Salad With Maple Vinaigrette
Dishin & Dishes: Old Fashioned Apple Crisp
Cooking With Elise: Wholegrain Apple Oat Pancakes Pin It