Ingredients
- 10 oz Apple Liqueur
- 10 oz Cranberry Juice
- 12 oz Orange Vodka
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- Mix 10 oz apple liqueur, 10 oz cranberry juice, and 12 oz orange vodka together in a large jug with ice.
Stir:
- Stir the mixture 50 times to properly dilute the drink and remove the ice.
Chill:
- Cover the jug and refrigerate until ready to use.
Serve:
- Pour into chilled martini glasses. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
Like many ‘Martinis’ that aren’t actually Martinis, the Apples and Oranges Martini likely emerged from the late 20th century ‘tini craze’. It’s a modern concoction, probably first mixed at a house party or a casual bar by someone with a few fruit liqueurs and a bottle of vodka looking to make a palatable, low effort big batch drink.
This drink sits firmly in the ‘vodka and liqueur’ family, a distant cousin to the Cosmopolitan or the Appletini. It sheds the classic Martini’s gin or vodka purity and vermouth complexity for a straightforward, fruit-forward profile. What sets it apart is the explicit combination of two distinct fruit profiles in a single ‘Martini’ format.
You’d typically find this served at a backyard BBQ, a birthday party, or a college reunion. It’s a reliable choice for a bartender needing to churn out high volumes of easy-drinking cocktails without fuss, or for someone hosting a gathering who wants a pre-batched option.
What it tastes like
On the first sip, the Apples and Oranges Martini hits with a bright, sweet wave of apple, quickly followed by the tangy counterpoint of cranberry. The orange vodka provides a subtle citrus backbone, rounding out the mid-palate. The finish is clean and fruity, leaving a lingering sweet tartness that encourages another sip.
With 10 oz of 17% apple liqueur and 12 oz of 37.5% orange vodka mixed into 32 oz total, the initial alcohol content is around 19.4% ABV. However, the recipe calls for substantial dilution by stirring with ice until the ice is removed. This means the final served drink will be closer to 14-16% ABV, depending on how much dilution occurs. This puts it stronger than a standard beer, but on par with or slightly stronger than many common cocktails.
The technique
Building this is a straightforward batching exercise. Combine all your liquid ingredients into a large jug with plenty of ice. The key is to stir it vigorously, as specified, until the mix is well chilled and properly diluted. Once diluted, strain off all the ice before chilling the batch down. Serve it straight from the fridge into pre-chilled martini glasses.
The most critical technique here is proper dilution and chilling. Stirring ’50 times to properly dilute’ isn’t just a suggestion; it’s essential for balancing the drink’s sweetness and alcohol content. Skipping this step means you’ll end up with an unpleasantly strong, syrupy mix that’s too warm and lacks the crispness this style of drink needs.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Apple Liqueur
- Use
- DeKuyper Apple Pucker, Bols Sour Apple, or any good quality green apple liqueur. Aim for something around 15-20% ABV.
- Skip
- Applejack or apple brandy. These are much drier and spirit-forward, completely changing the sweet, tart profile.
- Why
- It’s the primary flavor driver, delivering the distinct green apple sweetness and a touch of tartness that defines half the drink’s name.
Orange Vodka
- Use
- Smirnoff Orange, Absolut Citron, or any decent quality orange-flavored vodka. A good 35-40% ABV flavored vodka is ideal.
- Skip
- Generic triple sec or orange curaçao. While orange liqueurs, they’re sweeter and lower proof, altering the base spirit and sugar balance.
- Why
- Provides the alcoholic backbone and the second major fruit flavor. Its neutrality as a vodka allows the orange to shine without competing with other spirit notes.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Peach and Cranberry Martini
- A softer, sweeter take
- Swap the apple liqueur for peach schnapps. This softens the tartness and introduces a fuzzy stone fruit sweetness.
Raspberry Orange Martini
- Berry tartness and a richer color
- Introduce a quality raspberry liqueur in place of the apple. This adds a deeper berry note and a more vibrant red hue.
Spiced Apple and Orange
- A warmer, autumnal twist
- Add a dash of cinnamon simple syrup to the mix. This gives the drink a cozy, spiced character, perfect for cooler weather.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Use apple schnapps for a similar profile, or a mix of apple juice with a touch of neutral vodka for a less intense flavor.
Use regular vodka with a generous squeeze of fresh orange juice and a few dashes of orange bitters. You might need to adjust sweetness.
Pomegranate juice works well for a similar tart and slightly sweet profile, though the color will be darker.
Serve it in a coupe glass or even a small, chilled tumbler. The shape won’t change the flavor, just the presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Apples and Oranges Martini?
It contains apple liqueur, cranberry juice, and orange vodka.
Is the Apples and Oranges Martini sweet or tart?
It’s a balance of both, with the apple liqueur providing sweetness and the cranberry juice bringing a tart edge.
Can I make a single serving of this drink?
Yes, scale down the ingredients to roughly 1 oz apple liqueur, 1 oz cranberry juice, and 1.2 oz orange vodka per serving.
How long can I store a batched Apples and Oranges Martini?
When properly chilled and covered, it can last for 2-3 days in the refrigerator without significant loss of flavor.
What kind of garnish works best?
A thin slice of apple, an orange twist, or a few fresh cranberries are all good choices.
Is this a strong drink?
While it contains a good amount of alcohol, it’s designed to be well diluted and served without ice, making it an easy-drinking cocktail.
Why remove the ice after stirring?
Removing the ice prevents further dilution while the batch is chilling, ensuring the flavor profile remains consistent when served.
Can I use fresh squeezed orange juice instead of orange vodka?
You could, but it would significantly change the drink. You’d need to add plain vodka for the spirit content and adjust sweetness accordingly.
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