When the color of the leaves starts to turn from green to the wonderful hues of red, orange and yellow, flavors of the Fall seem to come to mind. One of those classic flavors it that of apple cider. Cloudier in nature than apple juice, apple cider has a sweet taste that is likely to please the palette. Here are some tips on how to use apple cider as the base for a cocktail for an upcoming Autumn dinner party.
Things You’ll Need:
- Apple Cider
- Vodka
- Ice
- Martini Shaker
- Fresh Nutmeg
- Spice Grater
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Martini glasses
Assembling the Drink:
- Place 2 oz of vodka into the shaker
- Add 4oz of apple cider
- Include several ice cubes
- Cap the shaker and shake for a minute until the drinks are well mixed.
- Remove the cap and pour the Apple Cider Martini into two glasses.
- Grate a small amount of fresh nutmeg over the Apple Cider Martini
- Garnish with a stick of cinnamon
- Serve to your guests. This recipe yields two drinks.
Indulge in a bit of Whipped Cream
If you wish to serve this beverage as a dessert, make a bit of fresh whipped cream to go on top. In a chilled bowl combine whipping cream, a small amount of sugar and a dash of vanilla extract. Then whip using electric beaters until cream is formed. Add a dollop to your Apple Cider Martini and then grate the fresh nutmeg on top of your Apple Cider Martini.
Heat it Up:
When it comes to those cold, crisp, Autumn days, some times a nice warm beverage soothes the soul. To heat up this beverage, simply combine the vodka, apple cider, nutmeg and cinnamon in a sauce pan and warm under low heat. After the drink has reached a nice warm temperature, simply pour it into the martini glasses and serve. Add a small dash of vodka to each beverage as some of the alcohol might burn off if it is heated to high. A simple taste with a clean spoon will let you know if you need to add more vodka. Just be sure the vodka is room temperature so that it doesn’t chill the drink.
Additional Garnishes:
Garnishes are a fun way to spice up any drink. When it comes to the Apple Cider Martini you can use apple slices, cinnamon sticks, pear slices and more. Be creative with the flavors of Fall to impress your guests with the presentation of the cocktails at your dinner parties.
Tip:
If your local supermarket doesn't carry apple cider, search for the nearest apple farm. Many apple farms press their own cider.
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