Cranberry Apple Martinis

Why do these Cranberry Apple Martinis deserve a spot on your holiday cocktail line up?

They are simple to make! Seriously… no fancy simple syrups, liquors, or bitters. Just clean fruit juice and crisp vodka or gin. They take less than 5 minutes to whip together, just be sure to chill your glass!

Nothing says festive like cranberry. Something about fresh cranberries really pulls together a holiday cocktail ‘look’ that is so memorable.

If you turn to a ‘clean’ cocktail often, these are great. No added sugar, no hidden ingredients, just your favorite high-quality vodka or gin, and a bit of fruit juice.

Is a martini made with gin or vodka?

Both?! Just not at the same time… a classic martini is made with gin. Many people opt for vodka as Gin can be quite an acquired taste. It’s extremely herbal and… woodsy. While I think it works great for a festive cocktail like this, go with vodka if you want something a bit cleaner.

What’s a dirty martini?

A dirty martini is simply made with a splash of olive juice. That’s the ‘dirty’ aspect. Without it, a martini is quite pristine and clear.

Tips for a great martini:

Chill your glass.

As classy as it gets and this will make your drink taste that much crisper!

Strain your drink into the glass.

This will ensure an ultra-smooth texture.

Garnish.

Whether you go with olives for a classic look or cranberries for today’s festive variation. A little garnish goes a long way for this simple drink.

Go for quality.

A martini is heavy on the alcohol and the taste really shines through so go with a high-quality gin or vodka that you’d love to sip on.

Use helpful tools.

You only need a few simple items to make a martini, but I always break out my Microplane bar tool to whip up craft cocktails like our Cranberry Apple Martini. This simple tool can muddle, stir, cut, score, strain and create gorgeous garnishes like citrus twists and peels. I love having one tool that does everything instead of a drawer filled with accessories.

Flavor variations:

Gin or vodka.

Try either alcohol variation, just not both at the same time! Gin for something a bit more herbal and vodka for a cleaner, more subtle flavor.

Fruit juice.

I love swapping out the cranberry juice with pomegranate juice for a simple variation. White cranberry juice would also be very festive and tasty!