Cinnamon Spiced Apple Pie Cocktail

The Apple pie cocktail recipe is filled with all the warm flavors of fall: Apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, and whipped cream. Enjoy it at home or serve at a holiday party. Either way, it always brings the wow factor!

If you remember sharing delicious, classic comfort desserts with your friends and family, you will love this “slice of apple pie” drink. This cocktail is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holiday gatherings. Whipping this drink is easy, as it only requires five ingredients.

You can prepare the base in advance, making it easy to mix this adult beverage in a couple of minutes. Serve it at your next family gathering; everyone will ask you for the recipe!

I like to serve it as a cocktail or after-dinner drink paired with a cinnamon roll apple cobbler or Apple Spice Cookies.

Ingredients

There are several variations you can follow to make this drink. However, this one is my favorite! 4:1 ratio. Four parts apple cider to one part vodka. If you like your drinks stronger, increase the amount of vodka added.

Apple Cider – Apple cider is an unfiltered, unsweetened juice extracted from apples – basically an unfiltered apple juice. Look for fresh apple cider for the best flavor! Apple cider is not carbonated or alcoholic, making this the perfect base.

Brown Sugar – Brown sugar will be used for the apple pie cocktail base and on the rim of the glass if you choose. It offers the perfect balance of flavors and will bring the sweetness that your holiday cocktail requires.

Ground Allspice – Perfect fall flavor. If you dislike allspice, you can omit it, and the drink will still taste like apple pie.

Ground Cinnamon is a must-have ingredient to create the apple pie flavor!

Vanilla Vodka – Vodka infused with vanilla adds warmth to this cocktail.

Instructions

This apple pie drink recipe is fun because it’s quick to make, doesn’t require too many ingredients, and has a delightful taste. Prepare this cocktail with the following process:

Step One – Create Apple Pie Base: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the apple cider, brown sugar, and allspice. Stir until the brown sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the mix to come to room temperature before serving.

Step Two – Mix Drink: Mix the vodka and mix once the base has cooled. For individual drinks, add one part base (1 cup) with one part vanilla vodka (2oz). 

How to Sugar Rim Your Glass

A sugar-rimmed glass adds sparkle and extra flavor while impressing your guests. Instead of using salt and lime, which is done on margaritas, a cinnamon sugar rim works excellent for this holiday cocktail.

Start by mixing brown sugar with a touch of cinnamon. I like brown sugar because the molasses brings another layer of warm flavor. Another alternative is turbinado sugar, which matches apple cider’s golden hue.

You will need something sticky to wet the edge of the sugar rim of a glass. For an apple pie cocktail, I recommend honey, simple syrup, maple syrup, or blue agave.

Garnish Suggestions

Do you love to drink with your eyes? Add attention-grabbing garnishes to this refreshing apple pie drink. It will surely give your cocktail glass a fancy touch:

• Apple Slice – Cut into a wedge, or if the apple is small, slice it in half and cut a small circle. Be sure to remove the core and seeds in the center.
• Brown Sugar Rim – You and your guests will love the extra sweetness. See above for more details.
• Cinnamon Stick – The holiday look of cinnamon sticks goes perfectly with apple pie.
• Ground Cinnamon or Nutmeg – Dust on top for the perfect holiday look and extra flavor!
• Vegan Whipped Cream – You make or buy vegan whipped cream. For this recipe, I used canned almond milk whipped cream. I found it next to the traditional whipped cream in the grocery store.
• Whipped Cream – Apple pie and whipped cream are like peanut butter and jelly. As you can tell from the pictures, I like this drink with a lot of whipped cream! (Doesn’t everyone?

Substitutions

Bourbon: The warmth of bourbon goes perfectly with this apple pie cocktail recipe. I love this apple cider bourbon cocktail recipe.

Baileys Apple Pie: Baileys offers an apple pie version of their Irish cream during the fall and holidays. Instead of vodka, use Bailey’s apple pie. The result will be a creamier drink with double the apple pie flavor!  

Cinnamon Whiskey: Did someone say Fireball goes great with apple pie? I did! Switch out the vodka for Fireball or another cinnamon whiskey to turn up the spice and heat in this drink.

Tuaca: Tuaca and apples go hand in hand! Even though Tuaca is an Italian brandy with vanilla and orange flavors, it tastes great with apple pie! Use it in place of vodka to add additional warmth to the flavor!

Frequently Asked Questions